The Last Chance Texaco
By Brent Hartinger

      It's now or never.

      In the eight years since her parents died, Lucy Pitt has bounced from one foster placement to another. Now she's landed at the Kindle home, also know as The Last Chance Texaco. If she doesn't get her life together here, her next stop is Eat-Their-Young Island, a juvenile facility from which she'll never return.

      Lucy has a tough time adjusting to her new home. She's seen the alpha male, the queen bee, and the kids at school who shun "the groupies" before. The difference is the counselors at Kindle home care enough to listen. Their honesty and compassion spark hope in Lucy's heart. Add an enemy-turned-boyfriend to the scene and her future begins to look a lot brighter.

       Then someone starts setting cars on fire. The neighbors blame Kindle Home's delinquents and demand its closure. Also facing a funding crisis, the counselors have no idea what to do.

       Lucy, never one to sit on her hands, refuses to just give up. With her boyfriend's help, she sets out to discover who's responsible. Is her boyfriend's jealous ex the arsonist? Perhaps her therapist, who's determined to send her to Rabbit Island, is trying to frame her? Maybe Kindle Home's queen bee is starting the fires so Lucy can no longer challenge her reign? Even if Lucy catches the firebug, will it be enough to save Kindle Home?

        The Last Chance Texaco has everything a reader could want. Mr. Hartinger has successfully balanced the key elements of self-discovery, hope, suspense and romance like a man who has reached the far side of a tightrope. A well-developed cast of characters pulls readers into this awesome story. The action-packed plot denies readers the chance to put the book down. The unique setting is bolstered by realistic accounts of life in a group home.

        Never have I read a book that screamed so loudly to be made into a movie. Set aside your preconceived notions; nothing turns out the way you expect, but the novel comes to a very satisfying conclusion. Don't pass this one up! Pass it along!