Gr 8-Up When Ross was alive, he talked about creating great stories by living life to the fullest. He did not get to live his life very fully, but his dreams were big. One was to travel to his "namesake"Ross, Scotland. After his funeral, which his best friends Kenny, Blake, and Sim deem unworthy of him, the three teens decide to kidnap his ashes and take them on a road trip from northern England to the small Scottish town. The boys are grieving and trying to honor their friend's memory, but things go increasingly wrong on the two-day trip and instead of turning around and calling for help, they keep moving forward, ignoring all sense, making bad moves at every turn. Although it concerns death and grief, the story is never heavy-handed; Gray offers plenty of humor and grace. Understanding of the boys grows with the story; they come to know themselves better, as readers do. Gray's writing is cheeky, crisp, and realistic. He has created funny, bright characters whom readers cannot help but root for. They act impulsively, but their actions come from the heart. At the end of their trip and of the book, things are not tied up neatly, but resolution is hinted at. This is a smart, touching novel with an ending that packs an emotional wallop."Geri Diorio, The Ridgefield Library, CT" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.
British teens Kenny, Sim, and Blake, grieving over the loss of their disturbed friend Ross, undertake a journey to give Ross a "real funeral" in Scotland. During their trip, the three young men come to terms with themselves and the realization that their friend's death was not accidental. Genuine characters and adventures that go from wacky to challenging make this a heartfelt, engaging read.
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