Rosemount

Running away is never a solution, right? Although the story of Leslie Cahill, boarding school escapee, shows some dangers (she is conned by a larcenous drug-using couple) on its heroine's desperate "On The Road" journey, it skips the elements of prostitution, violence and other dangers runaways commonly fall into. Still, this is no "Pretty Woman". Leslie's frantic journey reveals courage, strength, smarts, and determination. Author Mary E. Trimble addresses the issue of teen runaways in a gentle way that could only happen in farm country. Unlike the gritty city landscape of child prostitution, hunger, homelessness, abuse and drug use that Covenant House battles, Leslie's flight is an extended road trip of desperation through the backwoods. It's a story of Leslie's resilient spirit as she proves her courage; the complexity of family love, understanding and forgiveness; and the untamed, raw, rough, vast frontier of adolescence.

Mary Trimble has hit the nail on the head with her insightful book, "Rosemount". I bought copies for all of my friends - with and without children. Trimble has a knack for knowing the thoughts of a teenager. This is a must read! Curl up with a cup of steaming cocoa and a nice fire, plan to stay a while as you won't be able to put the book down! Two thumbs up!

Leslie Cahill was a sophomore. She, along with her much older brother, Wade, helped her father with the ranch. She thought her life was perfect, until Rosemount. John Cahill was determined that Leslie attend Rosemount, a boarding school for girls. Leslie was just as determined NOT to go! However, her dad forced her to. Leslie knew he was dating Lilith. She also knew Lilith had a daughter. So Leslie was convinced John was sending her off to a boarding school so he could marry and have a new family. When her dad dropped her off at her new dorm, Leslie ran away! The school called about six hours after Leslie disappeared. Wade got the call before John had even got home and he immediately set off to locate his sister and bring her home for a serious family meeting! But Leslie had planned well. She had cut her hair, gotten a false photo I.D., her saving account, and a back pack of food and clothes. ***** This book covers about two weeks of Leslie's life as a run-away. She was lucky to meet one of two nice people who helped her out! The author did an excellent job of showing the story from Leslie's point-of-view, as well as, John and Wade's. I never set the book down once. It was that amazing! Highly recommend for ages 13 and up! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch.

Sixteen-year-old Leslie Cahill makes good grades, has nice friends, and a family who loves her. A talented pianist and a good hand with a horse, Leslie loves her home, a ranch in Washington state, and is devastated when she finds out her dad, John Cahill, intends to send her away to school. After a young girl is attacked at the local high school of Chewack, John sees no other alternative. Having raised her alone after his wife died, the safety of his daughter is paramount. Leslie sees it differently and suspects she is being sent away in order to make room in her Dad's life for his new love interest, Lilith, and her daughter Roxanne. Leslie, hurt and saddened to the point of desperation, takes the situation into her own hands, and with disastrous results. This story is about perception, family ties and love, and the danger of supposing what motivates another. Throughout the story Leslie's heart is always right, her actions always understandable, and the lessons she learns always real.Rosemount, though listed as a young adult novel, is just a plain good read, no matter your age. Ms. Trimble knows ranching, livestock, and the lay of the land in this story that takes the reader on a cross-country journey filled with authentic detail, and I know because I lived there. She knows the teenage heart and mind, too, and seems to understand a parent's anguish when they fear for their children, a striking contrast that Ms. Trimble handles with exceptional skill and insight. From the first page to the last, I was captivated by the story and involved with the unique cast of characters: Leslie, John, Wade, and Cyrus, one of my personal favorites, Maureen, Clem, another personal favorite, Dutch, and even Roxanne. As Clem says, "Plannin' ain't doin'," and that's the truth. Don't plan on reading this entertaining tale, but do so. Even though I've just now finished the story, I miss the characters already. I highly recommend this book to readers of any age, sixteen to sixty and beyond. I hope we can look forward to more novels from Mary Trimble, a sublime storyteller, with a knack for bringing to the surface the treasures that are right in front of us, but so easily missed.