Made in the U.S.A.

Billie Letts is one of those can't-put-down-the-book authors. There aren't many out there. Her latest novel, Made-in-the-USA, solidified her place on my "favorite author" list. One of the greatest things about Letts's books is that you don't have to be an avid reader to like her books. Some authors write as though they are elite and writing to elite readers. But not Letts. Her books speak to everyone who picks them up.

Made in the U.S.A. is about a young teen girl, Luttie, and her brother, Fate. I feel it's a coming-of-age story for both characters. Luttie & Fate's mother died when Fate was young so they moved in with their father - well - really they moved in with his girlfriend of the moment. And while they were living with Floy, their father abandons them and says he's moving to Las Vegas (from their South Dakota home). When Floy has a heart attack and dies in Walmart, who is going to take care of Luttie and Fate now?

Luttie loads up Floy's old car with Fate and their few belongings and sets off on a quest to find their father in Vegas. Living out of the car amidst shady characters and eating meals at a soup kitchen are not exactly the dreams they had in mind. Soon Luttie gets involved with drugs, porn, and broken bones before she is saved by an unlikely hero, Juan.

Juan takes Luttie and Fate to his family's home in Oklahoma. There we learn about his past as a circus performer in his family's circus. A whole other world opens up for the three of them as Luttie heals from her ordeals.

I don't want to give too much away. This is such a great, heart-warming, sad, hopeful book. You truly fall in love with the characters and want to help them out of their situations. It is a quick read because you just HAVE to know what happens! Billie Letts has a way of writing that makes difficult and traumatic situations - rape, abuse, homelessness - a part of the journey toward healing. Even though her characters suffer horrendous acts of violence - they are still strong and continue to fight throughout the book.

Billie Letts's first novel, Where the Heart Is, had some similar themes. It too was a book you could not put down. In fact, that is a book I have always recommended to people who are not "big" readers but want to get into reading. My sister, who had never read a book in her life, asked me for a book suggestion. It was around the time Where the Heart Is came out in paperback. I bought it for her. She not only read it - she loved it! Now I will pass along Made in the U.S.A. to her and expect the same reaction. Put this on your Christmas list!