I would use this book in a history lesson in grade 3-6. This book is only pictures, but it teaches students to make inferences as to what might happen throughout the story. This story also includes dinosaurs and predicts what they might have been like in their time.

Already???

Where did all the time go?

I moved my youngest daughter into her dorm room yesterday, where she will join her twin sisters for their senior year at Berkeley.

Empty nest syndrome, here I come.

By Claire Cook 

ISBN-13: 9781451673685

Publisher: Touchstone

Publication date: 6/10/2014

Pages: 320

My Rating:  5 Stars

I loved this book (as I am so in the age bracket)!

It has everything from BFFs, Thelma and Louise, music, humor, road trip, high school reunions, and phobias. I so related to this story, as also developed a highway phobia for about 3 yrs. ---and I also lived in Atlanta (inside the perimeter off Paces Ferry Road in Vinings). I had no issues when I moved there in 1994; however, worked from home as a publisher, with high stress and deadlines and became very dizzy especially on I-285, bridges and highways with like 6-12 lanes with different levels and a lot going on. 

I literally had to Mapquest routes everywhere to refrain from getting on I-285 when going on business calls (do you know how difficult this is in Atlanta)? Especially when my commercial real estate clients were all over the city. I finally had to take a cab to the airport when traveling or take the back way to Camp Creek Parkway and park at the parking spot. So weird as for years drove in this traffic with no issues. Of course on I-285 they drive like nuts, as bad as Miami,FL! I would literally freeze on I-285, the same as Melanie in the book! It is a horrible feeling. 

The doctor told me I had issues with my Peripheral vision (a part of vision that occurs outside the very center of gaze). He stated if I am on a bridge with numerous roads, levels, cars, curves, etc…my eyes want to stay focused on all these elements and cannot focus on what is in front of me, thereby causing my dizziness -- causing a phobia of being dizzy and feel yourself leaning to the right. (Maybe this was Melanie’s issue :)

Will add some humor here – I began dating a guy in 2001, who lived OTP (outside the perimeter –which is a NO NO). He was 8 yrs younger and definitely worth the trip. The first time he invited me to his house (Lake Lanier as far as you can get outside the perimeter in Dahlonega, GA)-- I had to take the back way from Vinings (wow, did he have to hold dinner and blow out the candles numerous times, as I was so late, but of course I blamed it on traffic as always a good excuse, or an accident in Atlanta). I kept my phobia a secret. 

Anyway, I had to get on GA-400 which is not a big deal as pretty flat and no big bridges. Because I loved going to his house, I had to force myself to get over it and since then no issues for highways. However, to this day, I have issues with the bridge on I-95 in Jacksonville and not a lot of way to get around it-- (numerous levels and roads with multi-things going on, Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa, Spaghetti junction, and bridge I-285/I-75 in Atlanta. Had to share this story, as sure there are other out there as well. 

Thanks again, Claire for this incredible book, as could so relate and feel as though I found my BFF! It will definitely make you laugh and want to be right there with the gals with the top down (I had a red Miata convertible then traded it for an SUV). 

BTW (the truck driver in the story was a riot)! Look forward to reading more --a must read!  An author who knows southern humor and always makes you laugh!