The Getaway List

Gr 8 Up–On the day of her high school graduation, Riley Larson, who was rejected from every college she applied to, makes a spur of the moment decision to spend a weekend in New York City and reconnect with her best friend, Tom. This is supposed to be one last hurrah before starting a summer job and community college classes in the fall. But as Riley and Tom begin to check items off of their long-anticipated Getaway List, Riley realizes that one weekend isn’t nearly enough time to spend with Tom or in New York City. Over the strong objections of her mother, Riley makes plans to stay in the city for the summer. As she spends days working as a bike messenger and going on adventures with an eclectic group of newfound friends, Riley begins to figure out who she is, what she wants, where her future lies, and who she wants to spend it with. This novel is an ode to found families and a love letter to New York City. Riley’s journey of self-discovery is far from trite, and her story is an appropriate balance of earnest realizations and teenage antics as she explores new and existing relationships with friends, family, and romantic interests. Lord has reliably created a cast of fully formed, well-rounded secondary characters who all add something to the overall story, and her signature wit is present as well.