The Urn Carrier

Gr 9 Up—Tessa is on a road trip. Like all good road trips, this one is packed with self-discoveries. The main objective is to spread her favorite aunt's ashes in various places across the country. In the meantime, she gets to ponder whether she wants to return to college and if she is in a healthy relationship with her girlfriend. Most important, she begins to remember what shock has blocked out from her memory: her involvement in her father's prolonged disappearance. Although the plot is slow to start, Tessa's travels and her self-realizations will resonate with readers. Tessa is not the most accessible character. The author has carefully described the teen's actions and words, but very little of a developed personality shines through. Overall, it is her lust for adventure and independence more than the mysteries of her past and future that will keep readers engaged. Recommend to those who enjoyed John Green's Paper Towns and E. Lockhart's We Were Liars.