Big Rig, a solid middle school novel, presents a father and daughter who team up to live life on the road.

Hazel rides in the big rig with her trucker dad and her mom's ashes experiencing the world. Hazel and her dad have certain rituals that makes their tiny home (cab of the truck) a place of love and respect. The rules actually make them stop, listen, and think before making decisions. It's a pretty good skill for kids AND parents. Because they are on the road a lot, they have favorite places to stop and enjoy life. Friends live in different parts of the United States as well. It's not just driving through the country. Hazel's dad homeschools her, so she's always learning something. By being on the road, they can also stop at locations to further her education. She's an amazing map reader because her father believes that maps are better than GPS devices. They only use the Internet and GPS as needed. Eventually, Hazel hopes to get her CDL (commercial driver's license) and drive her own truck.

Not surprisingly, many things can happen when out on the open road. Throughout the novel, you meet their friends and experience the unexpected: plane crash, runaway teen, and flood. Each experience requires a different level of "growing up" and showing courage. You can't run when help is needed and you are the one who can supply that help--no matter how hard it is to help or how painful to move on. After all, with trucking, you always move on; there's a schedule to keep. Although Hazel loves the road, there is one house she truly finds as a home. The one she was raised in until her dad could care for her after her mom died. Maze owns the trucking business and Serena is his wife. Hazel tells Serena everything and Serena listens. Hazel can also answer questions that may not want to ask her dad.

The novel warms your heart as you grow up with Hazel--just a little bit--and experience the ups and downs of driving across America. ( )