School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-7-Sunny Skyland has missed her twin sister ever since they were separated at age three after their mother and grandmother were killed in an automobile accident. Sunny has kept her memories of Starr alive over the past decade and in seven foster homes. Then, the discovery of a canvas bag containing $800, with no claimant, spurs Sunny to travel from Nebraska to her old neighborhood in Enumclaw, WA. Sunny is an experienced runaway who plans carefully and tells no one. She boards a bus for the first leg of her journey but then complicates her life by adopting a stray dog. Her trip is thwarted by a group of teenage boys, and she survives a tornado. She does reach her destination, but not with the expected ending. At times the plot twists, although possible, are improbable. Nonetheless, Sunny is a compelling and resourceful character whose adventures will keep readers turning the pages to see how things turn out.-Kathryn Kosiorek, formerly at Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A runaway teen travels from Nebraska to Washington searching for the twin sister she's been separated from for ten years. Haunted by memories of her sister, 13-year-old Sunny decides it's time to start looking when she stumbles upon an abandoned bag of money. A veteran of seven foster-care placements, Sunny doesn't want to leave her current home with Rita, who gives her space, makes her laugh and lets her choose clothes, books and music. Propelled by her dream of finding her sister, though, Sunny carefully escapes by bus, but she isn't prepared for the homeless dog, the bullies or the tornado she encounters en route. Nor is she prepared for what her search reveals. Narrating her tale in a realistic voice, Sunny explains she's not a bad girl. As she crosses the country alone, she's resilient in the face of danger, honest when temptation calls and pragmatic when she realizes Rita may be the family she needs. Although Sunny's resourcefulness and maturity stretch credibility, her dogged determination will inspire. (Fiction. 10-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Kehret's latest novel offers reluctant readers a fast-paced, simple plot with unexpected adventure. After bouncing around Nebraska's foster-care system since she was three, 13-year-old Sunny Skyland finally finds stability with kind Rita. Yet, despite Sunny's happy living situation, she cannot help but think about her long-lost twin sister, Starr, from whom she was separated ten years ago. After finding cash on a trail near her home (she does attempt to find the owners), Sunny decides to run away to Washington State (where she and Starr lived before their separation) to find her sister. Sunny is a clever and resourceful teen who manages to rescue a stray dog, survive a tornado, and overpower bullies. While the highly anticipated reunion with Starr is a letdown, readers will be most struck by Sunny's compassion and determination during a difficult adventure. Even though there is nothing particularly fresh in this tale, the easy first-person narrative and consistent action will engage struggling readers.--Garnick, Kimberly Copyright 2009 Booklist
