Book Review: The Last Chance Texaco

This is a great book that offers much to the reader. Whether you are looking to learn about the kids in "the system" or you grew up in a group home and looking for a book that you can identify with, The Last Chance Texaco is for you.

Brent Hartinger uses a strong plot to drive this story and its characters. He weaves character description within the story line, and it never seems to slow the pace down. I read The Last Chance Texaco in one day, I couldn't put it down. The children depicted in the book are realistic. Their behaviors are driven by their emotions, just like the kids I've worked with time and again. You begin to care for the main character and hope that she can find a permanent place to call home.

Strong language is used in a few places within story, but it was always a part of the emotion being displayed and not just for the sake of using a "dirty word". Youth smoking and references to sex are mentioned within the story. Along with the language these things may cause concern for some parents. Again, all of this adds to the realism of the story and description of the group home. If I had to guess, if this book was to be made into a movie it would be rated PG-13. So I would recommend grades 7th and up. A great discussion guide is offered at the author's web site: www.brenthartinger.com. Look for it under "My Books". I know that my son read this book and was able to see himself in the characters. I hope that with time and more discussion he can see how he can also move beyond his past, control his anger, and allow himself to trust again, just like the character Lucy.

More Information

(Published by HarperCollins Children's Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, 2004
ISBN 0-06-050912-0)