My Comments
I loved Roadside Assistance so when I discovered Destination Unknown was available, I knew I also had to read about Whitney! Whitney is Emilys cousin and they became really close in the previous book. Whitney was not my favorite character until the end of the book where she became my hero in the story. In Destination Unknown, she now has to face her mom and others in challenging ways.
Whitney has always been the ideal student with a perfect 4.o GPA, the head cheerleader on the squad, the nice Christian girl who gets along with everyone. The story starts with her current boyfriend breaking up with her on Valentines Day..REALLY?! Oh, also, Whitney has had the same best friends since elementary school, Kristin and Tiffany. I cant imagine that, but her life has had the same structure and goals all the years she has been in school and nothing has changed. Then one day she gets a D on her Calculus test and her mom INSISTS on getting her a tutor.
Whitney is also a tutor for Language Arts and Spanish subjects; shes absolutely humiliated that she will now be the one needing a tutor and wont even tell her friends about this. Little does she realize that everything she knows is about to change after just one session with Taylor.
As much as I loved Taylor connecting with Whitney for this story, he was definitely a flawed character himself. He hasnt had an easy time of it since his father left them, he works at a bookstore to save money for college, he helps his mom by watching out for his younger sister, Vanessa, and cooking meals on nights their mom has to work late. Taylor has also been picked on by certain popular athletes at school so hes very guarded when it comes to Whitney. Soon, however, he realizes how different she is and they become friends. Taylor is known as the Einstein of his senior class and he enjoys tutoring students for math. I loved that Whitney and Taylor read the same books, that was an added plus for me in the story!
Emily is also in the story and it was wonderful reading the scenes shes in! Her and her father have moved out from Whitneys home and it was awesome to see her doing so well in the story. She gives Whitney a listening ear more than once and they even get to shop for prom dresses together.
I didnt like how insecure Taylor was, he makes a joke out of it so it sort of comes off as cute but I thought he understood Whitneys feelings better than he did. Then again, someone who has been disappointed in life as many times as he has been I guess it makes sense that he would have certain insecurities.
I really loved the journey Whitney experiences in this story, but I didnt always agree with her tactics. Shes a great person with an amazing heart, but I had trouble with her lying to her mom no matter what the reasons were. Whitney discovers that theres a fine line between finding your own way while respecting/honoring your parents. She is able to figure out what works best, but she stumbles a few times while getting there.
At the same time, I was seriously annoyed by Whitneys mom several times while reading this. She acts very controlling and suspicious of Whitney when she doesnt need to be. Even Whitneys dad steps in a few times suggesting her mom backing off. When a teen is eager to hang out with different friends than usual (unless theres a drug problem or danger involved), by not allowing your teen to enjoy themselves youre only going to have them rebel against your wishes. Whitney was so caught up in doing what her mom wanted, that when she finally makes her own decisions she immediately wanted to rebel. That and their relationship is really strained, never fun when that happens between a mom and daughter.
One of my favorite scenes is when Whitney colors her hair, that was a doozy!
Even though I sometimes didnt agree with Whitney, I understood her heart and what was important to her. I also loved how she cried out to God in prayer, seeking to do the right thing while figuring out who she really is. Her first lesson from Taylor was not caring what others think of her and thats a struggle I definitely relate to. I also loved that there were adults Whitney could speak openly with and get advice from, its always helpful to get a different perspective from adults that care.
Despite certain conflicts Whitney finds herself in, I truly loved the story and read it quickly. Whitney isnt perfect, but she makes herself accountable and she deals with unfriendly teens with class and character beyond her years. She also appreciates her faith, her family, and luxuries in her life. I really enjoyed watching her do the right thing while deciding which path worked best for her and she doesnt back down. Its a scary thing to venture into an unknown destination, but the journey is worthwhile. I love Young Adult books and this is another great one from Clipston, I always learn about myself when reading them and this one was very special! *discussion questions are included*
I want to thank Zondervans Z Street Team for the review copy provided. The opinions expressed are my own.
I loved Roadside Assistance so when I discovered Destination Unknown was available, I knew I also had to read about Whitney! Whitney is Emilys cousin and they became really close in the previous book. Whitney was not my favorite character until the end of the book where she became my hero in the story. In Destination Unknown, she now has to face her mom and others in challenging ways.
Whitney has always been the ideal student with a perfect 4.o GPA, the head cheerleader on the squad, the nice Christian girl who gets along with everyone. The story starts with her current boyfriend breaking up with her on Valentines Day..REALLY?! Oh, also, Whitney has had the same best friends since elementary school, Kristin and Tiffany. I cant imagine that, but her life has had the same structure and goals all the years she has been in school and nothing has changed. Then one day she gets a D on her Calculus test and her mom INSISTS on getting her a tutor.
Whitney is also a tutor for Language Arts and Spanish subjects; shes absolutely humiliated that she will now be the one needing a tutor and wont even tell her friends about this. Little does she realize that everything she knows is about to change after just one session with Taylor.
As much as I loved Taylor connecting with Whitney for this story, he was definitely a flawed character himself. He hasnt had an easy time of it since his father left them, he works at a bookstore to save money for college, he helps his mom by watching out for his younger sister, Vanessa, and cooking meals on nights their mom has to work late. Taylor has also been picked on by certain popular athletes at school so hes very guarded when it comes to Whitney. Soon, however, he realizes how different she is and they become friends. Taylor is known as the Einstein of his senior class and he enjoys tutoring students for math. I loved that Whitney and Taylor read the same books, that was an added plus for me in the story!
Emily is also in the story and it was wonderful reading the scenes shes in! Her and her father have moved out from Whitneys home and it was awesome to see her doing so well in the story. She gives Whitney a listening ear more than once and they even get to shop for prom dresses together.
I didnt like how insecure Taylor was, he makes a joke out of it so it sort of comes off as cute but I thought he understood Whitneys feelings better than he did. Then again, someone who has been disappointed in life as many times as he has been I guess it makes sense that he would have certain insecurities.
I really loved the journey Whitney experiences in this story, but I didnt always agree with her tactics. Shes a great person with an amazing heart, but I had trouble with her lying to her mom no matter what the reasons were. Whitney discovers that theres a fine line between finding your own way while respecting/honoring your parents. She is able to figure out what works best, but she stumbles a few times while getting there.
At the same time, I was seriously annoyed by Whitneys mom several times while reading this. She acts very controlling and suspicious of Whitney when she doesnt need to be. Even Whitneys dad steps in a few times suggesting her mom backing off. When a teen is eager to hang out with different friends than usual (unless theres a drug problem or danger involved), by not allowing your teen to enjoy themselves youre only going to have them rebel against your wishes. Whitney was so caught up in doing what her mom wanted, that when she finally makes her own decisions she immediately wanted to rebel. That and their relationship is really strained, never fun when that happens between a mom and daughter.
One of my favorite scenes is when Whitney colors her hair, that was a doozy!
Even though I sometimes didnt agree with Whitney, I understood her heart and what was important to her. I also loved how she cried out to God in prayer, seeking to do the right thing while figuring out who she really is. Her first lesson from Taylor was not caring what others think of her and thats a struggle I definitely relate to. I also loved that there were adults Whitney could speak openly with and get advice from, its always helpful to get a different perspective from adults that care.
Despite certain conflicts Whitney finds herself in, I truly loved the story and read it quickly. Whitney isnt perfect, but she makes herself accountable and she deals with unfriendly teens with class and character beyond her years. She also appreciates her faith, her family, and luxuries in her life. I really enjoyed watching her do the right thing while deciding which path worked best for her and she doesnt back down. Its a scary thing to venture into an unknown destination, but the journey is worthwhile. I love Young Adult books and this is another great one from Clipston, I always learn about myself when reading them and this one was very special! *discussion questions are included*
I want to thank Zondervans Z Street Team for the review copy provided. The opinions expressed are my own.
