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3.5 

The Key to the Golden Firebird

By Maureen Johnson
The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

The funny thing about stop signs is that they're also start signs.

Mayzie is the brainy middle sister, Brooks is the beautiful but conflicted oldest, and Palmer's the quirky baby of the family. In spite of their differences, the Gold sisters have always been close.

When their father dies, everything begins to fall apart. Level–headed May is left to fend for herself (and somehow learn to drive), while her two sisters struggle with their own demons. But the girls learn that while there are a lot of rules for the road, there are no rules when it comes to the heart. Together, they discover the key to moving on – and it's the key to their father's Pontiac Firebird.

This critically acclaimed, totally compelling book is perfect for readers looking for both a fun ride and a life–changing journey from one of today's best new YA writers. And it fits perfectly in the glove compartment.

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247 Reviews

3.5
“One minute May Gold was the average teenage girl, trying to balance being a good daughter and sister while simultaneously plotting revenge on the boy next door, her father’s best friend’s son Pete Camp (hint: it involves nudity). The next, she’s father-less, Mike Gold the victim of a heart attack that leaves behind a struggling nurse wife and three shocked sisters, who whirl off into their own ways of dealing with the news. A year later, things have not improved much in the Gold household. Their mother is constantly at work, and is thus unable to notice how Brooks, the eldest sister, sneaks out every night to get drunk with her “boyfriend” Dave and his motley crew. Palmer, the youngest, struggles to hide her panic attacks while becoming the next softball star on her high school’s varsity team. And May, the middle sister, the responsible one, feels constrained by the chores laid upon her because no one else will do them. Even worse, May fails her driver’s test—and May never fails any test. She has no choice but to accept Pete’s offer of teaching her how to drive, providing him with even more opportunities to tease her and play jokes on her. Pete has always been “just Pete” to May… until he starts dating her coworker. Suddenly, May’s not sure if she’s comfortable with the situation. Which means… what? And what can she possibly do about it, when she and her two sisters don’t know yet when they are allowed to be normal again? The plot, while basic, comes alive at the skilled hands of Maureen Johnson, who provides wit, humor, and heart aplenty for everyone. It’s an easy read, but the writing will stay with you and make you yearn for more from this highly acclaimed author.”
“This has been on my TBR for a while, I loved 13 Little Blue Envelopes growing up (and again as a reread even as an adult) so I picked this one up at Half Price Books some years ago. I wanted something a little lighter and easy, and that’s exactly what I thought this was. Upon picking it up, and realizing the girls in the book lose their Dad the exact same way I lost mine, I knew I was meant to read this book. Watching the teen girls navigate their grief almost helped me realize I’m navigating mine pretty well considering. This was a sweet book about the 3 Gold sisters growing up and figuring out life without their Dad. While also realizing he’s always always with you. Definitely a sweet YA novel, glad I read it!”

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