Paperback,
$14.95
ISBN:
978-1938126475
Young
Adult, 184 pages
Lacewing Books, Aug.
12, 2014
When
Paul Carpetti discovers “On the Road” in Greenwich Village while on a class
trip to New York City, the world suddenly cracks open and he sees that life
could be more than the college degree his mother is determined for him to
achieve, a good job and, eventually, marriage to his girlfriend, Kathy. But
upon his return, his mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer and his world
falls apart.
Set
in 1964, “Looking for Jack Kerouac” tells the story of how Paul’s dreams of a different life and
his grief at the loss of his mother set him on a road trip with his rowdy friend,
Duke, that includes a wild night on Music Row in Nashville, an all-too-real glimpse
of glimpse of racism; and an encounter with a voluptuous mermaid named
Lorelei
– landing him in St. Petersburg, where he finds real friendship and, in time,
Jack
Kerouac.
By then a ruined man, living with his mother, Kerouac is nothing like the person
Paul has traveled so far to meet.
Yet,
in the end, it is Kerouac who gives him the key that opens up the next phase of
his life.
“A relatable protagonist managing a delicate balance between
uncomfortable realities and fertile possibilities makes for a memorable, mature
coming-of-age story.” - Publishers
Weekly Starred Review
BEAT ICON JACK KEROUAC PLAYS NOTEWORTHY
ROLE IN
AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR BARBARA SHOUP’S EIGHTH
BOOK
A new young adult novel about
self-discovery, “Looking for Jack Kerouac” releases August 12
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Author Barbara Shoup’s newest
young adult novel, “Looking for Jack Kerouac” (August 12, Lacewing Books),
whisked her away on a fascinating journey where legends came to life more than
1,000 miles away from her hometown.
With the help of a grant from the Indiana Arts Commission, Shoup embarked
on a road trip that took her from central Indiana to St. Petersburg, Fla., the
same adventure taken by the characters in her latest book. In “Looking for Jack
Kerouac,” Paul Carpetti picks up a copy of “On the Road” by legendary beat
novelist Jack Kerouac during a class trip in New York City. The book has a dramatic
impact on Paul, changing his whole outlook on life. But when he returns home
from the city, his world crumbles. It’s 1964, and Paul is dealing with the
death of his mother. He needs to get away.
Paul hops in a car with his friend, Duke, and doesn’t look back.
The two land in Florida where Paul finds Kerouac, who turns out to be nothing like
the author he idolized. But, in the end, the writer helps Paul in his journey to
self-discovery in an unexpected way.
“Looking for Jack Kerouac” is a coming-of-age tale with heart.
Relying on notes she jotted down on her way to Florida’s Gulf Coast, as well as
extensive research on Kerouac’s life, Shoup writes with intensity, passion and
poignant reflection.
Shoup is the author seven other novels, including a School Library
Journal Best Adult Book for Young Adults, “Vermeer’s Daughter,” and two others
– “Wish You Were Here” and “Stranded in Harmony” – selected as American Library
Association Best Books for Young Adults.
She is the executive director of the Indiana Writers Center and
the co-author of “Novel Ideas: Contemporary Authors Share the Creative Process”
(2000) and “Story Matters: Contemporary Short Story Writers Share the Creative
Process (2006).”
REVIEW
Spectacular!
If I had to use one word to describe this book, that would be it!
An intriguing, emotional and thought-provoking coming of age tale that will lift your spirits while tugging at your heart the whole way through. Shoup delivers a story that will hold you captive from page one, as you take to the road with Paul and Duke on a trip across the US that sees them come into contact with many different personalities, each with their own words of wisdom and advice, as well as having to face a number of different situations that left an impact on these two travelers, especially Paul, whose entire journey was one of self-discovery.
Well-paced and brilliantly written, this story played in my mind like a movie.
A story of love, friendship, heartache, desire and acceptance, this was an emotional rollercoaster ride, with many ups and downs, and a powerful message that will stay with me forever.
A stellar read with amazing characters who now each own a piece of my heart, this book deserves a place on the shelf with the greatest books of all time, some of which are mentioned in this story. Absolutely brilliant!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
To say Barbara Shoup is passionate about writing would be an understatement.
The award-winning author has been recognized with multiple honors for her work,
and in
August, she will release her eighth novel “Looking for Jack
Kerouac” with Lacewing Books, the young adult imprint of Engine Books.
Shoup is the author of seven other novels, including “Night Watch”
(1982), “Wish You Were Here” (1994/2008), “Stranded in Harmony” (1997/2001), “Faithful
Women” (1999), “Vermeer’s Daughter” (2003/2014), “Everything You Want” (2008)
and “An American Tune” (2012). She is the executive director of the Indiana Writers Center and the co-author of “Novel Ideas: Contemporary
Authors Share the Creative Process” (2000) and “Story Matters: Contemporary
Short Story Writers Share the Creative Process (2006).”
Shoup graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington with a
bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s degree in secondary
education. She taught creative writing to high school students for more than
twenty years.
Shoup’s short fiction, poetry, essays and interviews have appeared
in numerous small magazines, as well as in The Writer and The New York Times travel section. Her young adult novels, “Wish
You Were Here” and “Stranded in Harmony” were selected as American Library
Association Best Books for Young Adults. “Vermeer’s Daughter” was a School
Library Journal Best Adult Book for Young Adults.
Shoup is the recipient of numerous grants from the Indiana Arts
Council, two creative renewal grants from the Arts Council of Indianapolis, the
2006 PEN Phyllis Reynolds
Naylor Working Writer Fellowship and the 2012 Eugene and Marilyn
Glick Regional Indiana Author Award.
Shoup has lived in Indiana all her life. She is married with two
daughters and two grandchildren.
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