I'll Get There. It Better be Worth the Trip

I’ll Get There. It Better be Worth the Trip.
By John Donovan
1969
199 pages

Summary: Set in 1969, Donovan's seminal tale centres on Davy Ross, a lonely thirteen-year-old boy. When his grandmother dies, Davy must move to Manhattan to live with his estranged mother. Between alcohol-infused lectures about her self-sacrifice and awkward visits with his distant father, Davy's only comfort is his beloved dachshund Fred. Things look up when he and a boy from school become friends. But when their relationship takes an unexpected physical turn, Davy struggles to understand what happened and what it might mean. (from amazon)

Review: I really liked the simplistic writing style of Donovan’s novel. There weren’t a lot of unnecessary elements, creating a story that felt very honest. It did have a more mature feel to it, so younger readers might stumble with the writing style. Davy was an appealing character, one with a lot of whit. While readers might find the setting and the some of the writing hard to connect with, Davy felt rather timeless. His experience of loss and loneliness will resonate with readers. I would recommend reading the 40th edition copy due to the reflections of other authors on the back. It gives a great perspective on the novel and its importance in the cannon of YA literature.

Additional Info: Apparently the first teen novel to address homosexuality

Rating:
Writing: 3/4
Characters: 3/4
Plot 2.5/4
Originality: 4/4
Popularity: 2.5/4 (because it's older)
Cover Art: 2.5/4
Grade Level: S