My Not-So-Great French Escape

Name: My Not-So-Great French Escape
Brand: Harper Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Cliff Burke
ISBN: 9780063287334

Author: Cliff Burke

Narrator: Henri Lubatti

Unabridged: 5 hr 12 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Clarion Books

Published: 03/14/2023

Categories: Children's Fiction, Children's Social Themes, Regional Stories

Synopsis

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard SelectionWhen Rylan's best friend ditches him for the cool kids, Rylan thinks a summer spent working on a French farm will be the perfect chance to reconnect. But he doesn't count on his long-lost father showing up. This funny, touching novel is perfect for fans of Gary D. Schmidt and John David Anderson. Rylan O’Hare has been drifting apart from his best friend, Wilder, for months. Wilder's family became mega-rich when his mom invented an app that reminds people to drink water, and now he barely has time for Rylan. So when Wilder invites Rylan to join him at a summer farming program in France (all expenses paid), Rylan see it as a chance to repair the friendship. Not only that, but he'll get to learn French, milk goats, and eat lots (and lots) of cheese.But before they take off, Rylan's mom drops a bomb: His dad (whom he hasn't spoken to since he was three) lives in France, too, and he wants to meet.Between being swarmed by bees, pooped on by pigeons, and sprayed with goat milk, Rylan's great French escape isn't quite what he thought it would be. Even worse, Wilder ditches him for some cool French kids he meets along the way. And Rylan still can't decide whether or not he should actually meet his father.But somewhere in all the chaos, Rylan begins to find his way, and he realizes that sometimes you have to release old expectations to discover new destinations.

About Cliff Burke

Clifford Burke grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. He worked as a house painter, a parking lot attendant, and a sign-twirling dancing banana before graduating from the College of William and Mary. He currently teaches English in the Bay Area.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) on April 14, 2023

My Not-So-Great French Escape is a funny, emotional, and adventure-filled book about changing friendships, cultivating self-worth, and learning the value of hard work. This charming story is set in France on a farm (!) and features scenes that inspire entrepreneurship. I loved the unique plot and it......more

Goodreads review by Sirah on November 13, 2022

Rylan has been slowly losing his best friend over the past year or two, but when they both get a chance to participate in a summer program on an organic farm in France, Rylan hopes that they'll finally have the chance to spend time together again. Unfortunately, they're split into different groups,......more

Goodreads review by Nessa on February 26, 2024

I really enjoyed this story. It was different and not your typical happy ending! Rylan is having a hard time at his new school. His "best friend" has been spending more time with the new cool kids and left Rylan on his own. Summer breaks comes around and Rylan is invited by his friend to go to Franc......more

Goodreads review by Karen on October 17, 2023

Rylan has an opportunity to spend the summer on a farm in France. There’s just one catch: he’ll be going with his former best friend Wilder. Just before leaving, his mom drops a bomb – Rylan’s estranged father is now living in Paris. And his father would like to reconnect! Rylan makes new friends an......more

Goodreads review by Jill on April 25, 2023

Rylan and Wilder used to be best friends. Then Wilder’s mom made a lot of money and Wilder changed schools, to a private school with other kids whose parents have money. Rylan felt left behind. Even when Wilder’s mom paid for Rylan to go to the private school too, he felt left behind. All the other......more