Review: The Last Chance Texaco

There are many dominants of the book genres. Harry Potter for fantasy, Alex Rider for spy books, and Agatha Christie for mystery. Last Chance Texaco is the dominant among teen books, as are most of Brents’ books.

This is the story of Lucy Pitt, a veteran foster kid. She has been ( and survived ) several foster homes. Kindle House, her new home, is her last chance. After that, she goes to Rabbit Island. Rabbit Island is where kids labeled as “ insane “ go. They are kept there until they are eighteen, and then released. Lucy is fifteen, and does not especially want to go there for three years.

Inside, she forms friendships, alliances, an makes some really witchy enemies. There is Yolanda, whose parents died in a gas explosion a few months ago. There is Joy, the preppy witch and self-appointed leader of the group. And Damon, the group informant. Then there are the counselors, like Leon, a neat counselor who seems to understand them all. There is Ben and Gina ( known to the kids as Ken and Barbie ), the perfect, optimistic couple.

Of course, what book would be complete without the evils of school. All the kids have to, and groupies are especially hated. Finally, she gets fed up with one kid, Nate, and gives him a black eye. Only Leon manages to convince the principal that he can’t be suspended, so she gets eight weeks of after school detention. So does Nate. Sometimes they meet each other, when they are picking up garbage. Finally, they become friends and hang out with one another, maybe even liking each other.

“The door was locked, and I sure as hell didn’t have the key.” From the second I opened the book and saw that line, I thought “ Oooh, this is gonna be good.” And it was. Like all of his books, Brent reveals the harsh but true realities of life. I used to think foster kids had the same lives as me, perhaps even better. Wrongo. Heck, it seems as brutal ( if possible ) as my own school. The ranking system is the same as well. You have the new kid, the little kid, the informant, the bully, the jocks, and the preppy witches.

The language is appropriate as well. Like in his other books, it is not censored. It has the same phrases of their age and “rank” would use. Even the adults would say the same things. Their personalities are equal to real life too. The parents are cautious, but cuss at the right times of stress.

Brent Hartinger has done it again. And for that, I salute him ( if that is at all possible on a keyboard ).

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Melissa's 7th grade students

Book Review: The Last Chance Texaco

Review by Matthew Ervin