Thou Shalt Not Road Trip [Hardcover]

Antony John (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 12, 2012

One crazy road trip that's a mix of rejection, redemption, and romance

When sixteen-year-old Luke's book, Hallelujah, becomes a national bestseller, his publishing house sends him on a cross-country book tour with his older brother, Matt, as chauffeur. But when irresponsible Matt offers to drive Luke's ex–soul mate, Fran, across the country too, things get a little crazy. On the trip, Luke must loosen up, discover what it truly means to have faith, and do what it takes to get the girl he loves.

Told with Antony John's signature wit and authenticity, and featuring smart, singular characters who jump off the page and into your heart, this story is a spiritual awakening and rockin' road trip in one.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A highly readable balance of humor, heart, self-discovery, and shenanigans."

(The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books )

"Christian values are conveyed with humor, devoid of potentially preachy pitfalls."

(School Library Journal )

"Features multifaceted teens whose faith is integrated with their thinking but doesn't define them completely . . . [A]n upbeat read with a unique premise, great settings, and just a little more."

(Booklist )

About the Author

Antony John (antonyjohn.net) is the author of the Schneider Award–winning novel Five Flavors of Dumb. He is a stay-at-home dad who writes by night, and lives with his family in St. Louis, Missouri.

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Dial (April 12, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803734344
• ISBN-13: 978-0803734340
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,296,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Antony John was born in England and raised on a balanced diet of fish and chips, obscure British comedies, and ABBA's Greatest Hits. In a fit of teenage rebellion, he decided to pursue a career in classical music, culminating in a BA from Oxford University and a PhD from Duke University. Along the way, he worked as an ice cream seller on a freezing English beach, a tour guide in the Netherlands, a chauffeur in Switzerland, a barista in Seattle, and a university professor. Writing by night, he spends his days as a stay-at-home dad--the only job that allows him to wear his favorite pair of sweatpants all the time. He lives in St. Louis with his family.

Visit him at: http://www.antonyjohn.net

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Well written, colorful and rich characters, risky but creative move by Antony John that mostly pays off April 12, 2012

By Christina (Ensconced in YA) TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

Because I loved his first book, Five Flavors of Dumb, I asked the author for an ARC of his new book, Thou Shalt Not Road Trip, and he graciously complied. This does not bias my review.

This book is about a boy named Luke who writes a best-seller Hallelujah at Bible camp, and because of his growing fame, goes on book tour. He's piloted by his older brother Matt, who just happens to bring his girlfriend, Alex, and her sister, Fran. Luke has a complicated history with Fran, and this trip just magnifies how far they've grown apart.

I'll admit I had a love and hate relationship with this book. Antony John's strength lies in developing characters who are real and very flawed. Because of this, they are allowed to grow and change throughout the book. To me, Luke is not a very likeable guy. He's holier-than-thou, whiny, and almost embarrassingly naive. But when I dug into my own soul, I have known teenagers like him. And part of the reason I felt such a strong dislike for him is because I used to be him, once. So I should allow him grow as I have grown. While Luke was not likeable at the beginning, at the end, I could see glimpses of the adult that he might be.

There were other wonderful aspects of this book. Fran was a beautiful character who we learn to love more and more as the story progresses. Another character that I was completely surprised by was Colin, his agent. To me, his conversation near the end with Luke was probably one of the most true and poignant passages in the whole book.

I did have one significant issue with this book. To me, the passages of Luke's book were not that compelling. I couldn't fathom how it became a bestseller. Part of the problem is that the rest of the book is so well written. I feel that dichotomy worked against the story.

Antony John takes a huge risk with this book, which I appreciate. I'm sure he will turn some people off with his host of characters-- a Bible toting teenager who is hailed as the next Messiah may not be everyone's cup of tea. But while I was not as captivated with Road Trip as I was his wonderful Dumb, Road Trip is well worth reading and I encourage everyone to look past its exterior-- after all, isn't that the ultimate message of this story?

4.0 out of 5 stars This is a road trip worth taking! July 8, 2012

By K Rez

Format:Hardcover

What do you get when you take a trip on The Mother Road with a teen Christian author, a rebellious teenage girl, and a couple facing a crossroads in their relationship? You get another wonderful read by Antony John entitled "Thou Shalt Not Road Trip."

John takes us on a book tour with Luke Dorsey who has just read one of the most recent top selling Christian books - "Hallelujah." Due to a conflict in schedules with Luke's publisher, Luke's brother Matt is put in charge of making sure Luke completes his book tour from LA to St. Louis. What Luke doesn't realize is that Matt has invited two other traveling companions to join them - his girlfriend and her sister (who is in the midst of a classic teenage rebellion...and who used to be Luke's high school crush). Instead of taking interstate highways to each tour stop, Matt is determined to get from place to place on the Historic Route 66.

Luke's strong faith is challenged during his Route 66 trip as his friends, family and fans help him reexamine his positions on just about everything.

While this was written for a young adult audience, I think a much wider audience will enjoy it! There's a sense of nostalgia for those who remember Route 66 or who have ever seen one of the quirky sites along what's left of the legendary road. More importantly, these are interesting characters who challenge each other, as well as the readers.

I highly recommend this book for adults and teens, alike.

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of ChickLovesLit . com June 19, 2012

By Shanyn Day

Format:Hardcover

Antony John's FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB was a great, great contemporary, especially because the protagonist was a girl in a unique situation (deaf). Naturally seeing another book by the same author got me excited.

I had a lot of fun reading THOU SHALT NOT ROAD TRIP. It wasn't the same kind of book as FIVE FLAVORS was for me, but I still enjoyed it quite a bit.

Luke has had a book published from journal entries he wrote while at a church camp. This vaults him to instant popularity, as the masses absolutely love his book - so his publicist sends him on a book tour that requires him to drive across the country.

Actually doing the driving is Luke's brother Matt, and the dynamic between the brothers is fun - Matt is the irresponsible type, making Luke late for signings, using the publicists charge card to the max, and inviting his girlfriend on the trip (for obvious personal reasons). And Luke has to try to deal with it. His exasperation was entertaining, and added to the humor Antony John wrote throughout the book.

One of my favorite parts of THOU was the publishing/publicist storyline, probably because I'm interested in that in real life as well. Luke's publicist was a publicist from a distance, communicating via phone, and reading about Luke balancing his publicist and brother was a riot.

Though perhaps not 100% obvious from the title and synopsis, THOU SHALT NOT ROAD TRIP does have a religious slant, as Luke wrote a book about Christianity. I didn't find it to be overpowering, but it is definitely a theme in the book, especially as Luke tries to find himself and what he believes.

A solid book from John, THOU SHALT NOT ROAD TRIP entertained me. It didn't connect with me in the way that FIVE FLAVORS did, but it's still one that I would recommend for fans of road trips, or those who may be amused with the book publishing aspect.