Made in the U.S.A. (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: ring barn, Mama Sim, Las Vegas, Juan Vargas (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Letts's tale of two children who set out on a voyage to find their father after his hefty ex-girlfriend, the children's guardian, falls dead in a Wal-Mart, is a moving coming-of-age tale. Cassandra Morris is amazingly strong in her delivery, giving a tremendous performance in which her fresh voice is perfectly suited for 15-year old Lutie. Her reading is clear and well paced, and her habit of rushing her words at times serves as an endearing character trait; she can do no wrong here. Her performance is a genuine one that will move audiences with its honesty and passion. A Grand Central hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 28). (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School—After the sudden death of Floy, her father's 300-pound girlfriend, 15-year-old Lutie McFee flees Spearfish, SD, with her 11-year-old brother, Fate. With only an apartment address to guide them, the siblings head toward Las Vegas in Floy's Pontiac, in search of the father they haven't seen or heard from in a year. Lutie's defiant personality lands the pair in a number of dangerous and precarious situations. However, her equally dominant determination drives her to do almost anything to protect her intellectual and withdrawn brother. When she is almost beaten to death during a robbery, a mysterious protector, Juan Vargas, comes to their aid. After getting medical treatment for her, Juan transports Lutie and Fate to his hometown in Hugo, OK. While Fate discovers a world of wonder and happiness, Lutie struggles to accept the support that is being offered to her. The ending, while unlikely, is satisfying and emotionally rewarding. Teens will immediately be drawn into the story by Lutie's feisty personality as well as the adventure, and ultimate hardship, of living by your wits. Recommend this one to those who enjoy gutsy protagonists, gritty plotlines, and fairy-tale endings.—Lynn Rashid, Marriots Ridge High School, Marriotsville, MD
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1 edition (June 19, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044652901X
• ISBN-13: 978-0446529013
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #372,496 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story, June 6, 2008

By	Ann Margaret "cover to cover" (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Made in the U.S.A. (Audio CD)

You will not get anything done for a few days because you will not be able to put this book down! You will get attached to these young characters who are trying to figure this adult world out alone. They make bad choices and you will be rooting for them page after page hoping someone will help them find their way. You won't be dissappointed. Just forget about the laundry for a few days. (and the dishes, homework, phone calls, husband, children) Just keep reading.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not her best, July 29, 2008

By	BeachReader (Delaware) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This book was just "okay". I am still waiting for Letts to write another book as good as "The Honk and Holler Opening Soon" which I think was her best ever.

The first half of this book took place in Las Vegas and was pretty sleazy. Many of the things that happened there required a suspension of belief, something I do not readily do.

The book moved a little more easily once Letts returned to her familiar turf (Oklahoma). There was some interesting trivia about how a circus is run and what happens in the winter on its home grounds. But there was way too much coincidence for my liking.

I finished it because it was quick reading, but this will definitely not go down as my favorite Letts book. Also, the editing was very lax, something that annoys me a lot. But her husband died during this book's publication process, so perhaps her editor was being gentle....

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars billie letts best yet!, June 20, 2008

By	copleysr "suze" (nashville,tn) - See all my reviews

i read this book cover to cover without any interruptions. more amazing quirky characters from her that you just grow to love.i look forward to her books, especially when im in a reading rut. its always a fun ride with billie letts, and this book for her fans will not dissapoint them at all. shes a blast.