Customer Reviews

No Right Turn

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Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Terry Trueman's books, so I won't waste time praising his virtues. Although come to think of it, he might appreciate that. Still, the story of sixteen-year old Jordan, the main character of NO RIGHT TURN, should hopefully be praise enough.

Suicide is never pretty. But when you're a teen, and the last thing your father says to you before he shoots himself is "it's all such bull***t," suicide becomes something bigger than a simple death. It's the thing you think about all the time, and yet never talk about. You wonder, almost constantly, why your father would apologize, then take himself out of your life forever. You wonder which part of life was bull***t--the fact that he was married to your mother?; that he had you as a son?; that his life was boring and predictable with a job and bills and a family to weigh him down?

Several years later, Jordan still doesn't have any answers. All he knows is that his dad is dead, and by his own hand, and that there's no joy in his life. Actually, Jordan doesn't have much of a life at all. All of that changes, though, when his mom starts dating Don Lugar, a guy who owns something that Jordan suddenly can't live without--a 1976 Corvette, a Stingray with a custom paint job, tinted windows, big tires, and a cool canister of nitrous that will really make that baby go.

The first time he goes for a ride in the 'Vette with Don, Jordan realizes that going 110 mph in that car is the first time in a very long while that he can remember feeling alive. The first time, in fact, that he doesn't feel like a walking zombie. So Jordan comes up with the brilliant idea of taking the 'Vette for a drive--by himself--one Wednesday night when Don is out of town. Just one time, one drive by himself, is all he needs to recapture that feeling of being part of the world.

But one time isn't enough, of course, and it doesn't help matters when he meets cheerleader Becka Thorson, one of the most popular girls in school, during one of his clandestine drives. Now the girl of his dreams thinks he's some cool guy with a custom 'Vette, and Jordan's desperate to keep up the image he's created. Once wasn't enough with the car, and he doesn't know what will have to happen to come clean to Becka--and to Don and his mother.

NO RIGHT TURN is another winer from Terry Trueman. Heartfelt, emotional, and full of true-to-life characters, this is a story for anyone who has ever felt like their world has been turned upside down--and for those who don't know how to put it back right-side-up. Definitely a recommended read.

When Jordan came home from school one afternoon, he and his dad had a conversation that was puzzling. Why was his dad apologizing? Later, when he heard the gunshot, Jordan knew that his father had killed himself. He still ran down and attempted CPR, but could not save him.

Three years later, Jordan is 16 and still trying to avoid thinking about that terrible day. Everyone but him seems to be moving on. He's become totally numb, with no friends except the somewhat strange Wally, no sports, and no one to talk to. His mother is starting to date again, a neighbor named Don with a really cool Corvette.

The car starts bringing Jordan back to life. First he helps Don with the constant maintenance and polishing it requires, and then they take it to an auto show. The next thing Jordan knows, he's planning to steal the vehicle on the nights when Don isn't home. On his first trip out, he helps Becka, a gorgeous cheerleader who loves "his" car. Author Terry Trueman describes the car and its rides so well that readers will feel like they're right there; even non-gearheads will appreciate this fine automobile.

But soon it becomes easy for Jordan to take it out all the time. He realizes that the thrill he has while speeding around road curves is the first emotion he's experienced in three years. And now the feelings he has for Becka, as they see more of each other, really help him come alive again. He just doesn't know if Becka likes him for himself or for his cool ride.

There is a price for these thrills, and eventually Jordan has to pay it. But getting caught may be just what he needs to help him start recovering from the shock of finding his lifeless father.

NO RIGHT TURN is intense and fast-paced, and just like with Trueman's previous titles, STUCK IN NEUTRAL and CRUISE CONTROL, readers will be left thinking about the main protagonist for a long time.

--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

Review of: No right turn.
No right turn is about a 13 year old boy whose name is Jordan, and he has a mom and a dad. One beautiful afternoon when Jordan comes home from school he goes to his room passes his dad's office and Jordan hears his dad say "Hello son."
"Hi" said Jordan, and then his dad said, "I'm sorry for this bullsh**'"
Then Jordan went to his room and after five minutes he herd a gun shot, his dad killed himself.
After three years Jordan's mom meets a new neighbor whose name is Don. Don has a nice Stingray that Jordan loves, and one afternoon Don gives Jordan a in a Stingray. Then Jordan understands that he must take the Stingray again. So one Wednesday night Jordan sees a girl from his high school who is a cheerleader. So he gives her a ride and she starts to like him, so they go out. One Wednesday night when Becka and Jordan go out, and Jordan is speeding a cop shows up, and chases them.

Jordan is speeding up and loses him. Then when Jordan was dropping off Becka she got mad at him for not pulling over. But Jordan wanted to say that the Stingray wasn't his, but he was scared to tell her. When Jordan went to Don's drive way, he saw cops and Don, Jordan didn't know what to do, so he walked up to Don and said that he is sorry but Don helped uot Jordan and then they talked in the morning and after that his mom said that his dad killed himself because he was sick.

I would recommend this book for ages 13 and up because it has to much cussing in it.

This book was one of the best books I have ever read. Jordan starts out as a very depressed kid. His dad committed suicide and he thought it was his entire fault. The setting of the book is mainly his school and neighborhood. Also a few specific roads in the town. It takes place in present time. Then, a few years later, his mom meets this guy...Don Luger. And he just happens to own a 76' corvette stingray. Jordan was never a fan of cars, but as soon as Don takes him for a ride and goes 110 mph he realizes that he needs to feel that rush again. He says that it is the first time everything felt like it was going to be okay after his dad dies. So when Don goes out of town, he steals the car. He loves it and he starts doing it more and more. And this one time he meets this girl, Becka Thorson, who is drawn in by the car. They start going out. And it's off and on relationship.

Jordan eventually gets caught stealing the car. This book has a somewhat abrupt ending. Now that doesn't mean it's a bad ending. I love the ending. It makes you think a little. I recommend this book to people who like cars, well actually anybody who likes a book that you can't put down. I recommend this book to these people because it's just a great book that you wont regret reading and it's defiantly worth owning. Terry Trueman is a great author. This book has drama, action, and even some adventure. It's a must read. I give No Right Turn five stars. Thank you for reading my review on No Right Turn by Terry Trueman.

It isn't that our children can not read, but that until an author writes a book that CAN'T BE PUT DOWN, they don't know that they love to read. Terry Trueman is one of the best authors I have to offer these students. Mr.Trueman gives us an opportunity to know what it might be like to have or to love someone who has a disability. His book, Inside Out is incredable. No Right Turn is just another outstanding example. THANK YOU TERRY TRUEMAN.

Terry Trueman is a friend of mine. I read No Right Turn in its infancy. Jordan and his angst are real and right on. The twists and turns are all authentic. This book is Terry Trueman. Look at his penchant for fast automobiles and anyone could picture his own '76 Corvette roaring around Spokane, his home town.

Terry was Jordan, a very long time ago. But Terry's fertile mind is in a place where Jordan has developed and Jordan's quandry is now able to find voice, dealing with fears and desires of all young tees.

Terry is a wonderful pervayor of teen angst. He has lived it for quite awhile. Once again, Terry has touched the teen soul, and in doing so, has touched his own. We all know Jordan and root for his deliverance.

Brave novel, brilliant mind, dashed with reality.