A Long Way from You [Paperback]

Gwendolyn Heasley (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 5, 2012

For too long, Kitsy has had to satisfy her dreams of becoming a real artist by giving her friends makeovers before prom. So when her best friend Corrinne's family offers to sponsor her for a summer art course in New York City, Kitsy bids a temporary good-bye to Texas to say hello to the West Village.

Between navigating the subway and the New Yorkers—namely, the Art Boy who has a nice trick of getting under her skin—Kitsy knows that this summer is going to be about a lot more than figure drawing.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gwendolyn Heasley is a graduate of Davidson College and the University of Missouri–Columbia, where she earned her master's degree in journalism. When she was a little girl, she desperately wanted to be the next Ann M. Martin, so she's grateful that the recession rendered her unemployed and made her chase her nearly forgotten dream. Gwendolyn now lives in New York City, teaches in New Jersey, and eats too much mac and cheese for an adult. She is also the author of Where I Belong.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (June 5, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006197885X
• ISBN-13: 978-0061978852
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,247,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Cute Read July 31, 2012

By Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf

Format:Paperback

You know those cute types of reads that manage to make you simile and laugh as well as pull at your heartstrings? Well, A Long Way from You by Gwendolyn Heasley was definitely one of those types. It was sweet and adorable to say the least!

A Long Way from You begins the story of Kitsy, a country girl from Texas who is dying to get her big breakthrough in Art. Luckily, that breakthrough comes when her best friend Corrinne and her family offer to host Kitsy in New York for the summer as well as help her through one of the New York's finest art programs. Kitsy quickly says goodbye to her sweet yet clueless boyfriend, her lackluster mother, and her adorable brother. Arriving in New York, Kitsy find out that some things are just like she imagined and dreamed they would be but others aren't. All she knows is that this summer is going to be the summer that may break or make her....

From the first page, I was instantly charmed by Kitsy's voice. It was country in the best way possible and it managed to be nearly pitch perfect for someone in Kitsy's position. Kitsy was a girl who is used to working hard for the things she had in life and that made her incredibly strong and dauntless, in my opinion. I loved seeing the way she was with her brother, but Kitsy was also someone who sometimes forgot to pick what was best for her, but that changed in A Long Way from You. Through her art program as well as an unlikely friendship with a budding musician, Kitsy begins to see life in a different perspective, one that changes her from a sometimes naive yet adorable country girl into a hard hitting city girl who's not afraid to ask for what she wants. I loved seeing the transformation, even though her choices at times made me cringe. I also enjoyed the wide variety of other characters introduced in this such as the mysterious Art Boy and the various friends she makes through her program and her family and friends back home. All had an influential part in the story.

The plot in this was also well done as well as a lot of fun! I loved seeing Kitsy explore New York City as well as the various dramas evolve that came from that. The plot line I enjoyed the most, though, was seeing Kitsy evolve as an artist as well as a person. It wasn't an easy journey for Kitsy, but it sure was interesting to see. I also enjoyed the plot twist with the Art Boy. It definitely didn't unroll like I thought it would, but I really enjoyed it nonetheless, even though it has me itching for a sequel.

In all, A Long Way from You is a fabulous summery read, one that I highly suggest to fans of contemp YA. Now I can't wait to dive into Gwendolyn's first book as well as the companion to this, Where I Belong.

Grade: B+

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Letters Inside Out July 25, 2012

By Amanda Miller

Format:Paperback

Last year Heasley's debut title Where I Belong was one of my favorite contemporary books. When I saw she was coming out with a new book, I was ecstatic. At first it didn't click with me that this was Kitsy's story. (I'm a bit ditsy sometimes and things just don't connect. ) When I figured that out I was even more excited!

Kitsy was one of my favorite characters in Where I Belong, so, the chance to get a book all about her is exciting! Fans of Corrinne, will be happy to know she does appear in the book some, but is away at camp. Kitsy's attending a great summer art course and is navigating the streets of NYC on her own.

A Long Way from You is a coming-of-age story. There is a bit of romance, but the main focus is Kitsy. To be honest, I think the synopsis, cover, and maybe even the title, distract from that. Romance is important, but this girl has grown up in a small town with no real art program. She's in a huge new city and is learning how to be alone, to take care of her responsibilities, and how to embrace her art.
Kitsy has such a good head on her shoulders! I want to be this year at her age. Here she is in a new city, she's nervous..she's alone. She's making new friends, but she's becoming one with herself. The trip is her chance to be herself.

A Long Way from You is a book filled with a lot of heart. It's upbeat, it has it's sad moments, but it's a pretty happy little story. I, personally, am in love with it and Heasley's writing style. I can't wait for more from her!

Fans of Heasley's Where I Belong are sure to be thrilled with the newest companion novel. If you haven't read Where I Belong, it's not necessary, but I urge you to so that you can get the full story on Corrinne and some of the references they make in A Long Way from You. There aren't many, but Corrinne and a few other characters pop up from time to time.

I received A Long Way from You in exchange for my honest opinion.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ THIS BOOK! June 27, 2012

By Katie Gallen

Format:Paperback

This book is about a 17 year old girl named Kisty Kidd who is from a small town called Broken Spoke, Texas. Kitsy's home life is not easy. Kitsy is a part time mom of her younger brother because their mom does not do anything with her kids. Kitsy dreams about becoming a famous artist. Kitsy gets invited to live with her best friend, Corrinne's parents for the summer while she takes art classes. Kitsy gets to see how New Yorkers live. Kitsy becomes friends with alot of her classmates in the class. I would recommend reading this book to see what happens to Kitsy. Does Kitsy have to go back to Broken Spoke to be a part time mother of her younger brother or does she get to follow her dream to be an artist? Read it and find out!