As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins

As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth is a middle grade realistic fiction book. Ry is supposed to take a train to summer camp while his parents go to the Caribbean. During the trip, the train stops for repairs. Ry gets off the train for phone reception, and the train takes off when it wasn't supposed to for another 40 minutes. Now Ry is all alone in the middle of nowhere in Montana, with no way to get in contact with anyone. He walks a couple miles to a small town, where he meets Dell, a man who loves adventure and spontaneous thinking. Dell decides to go across the country with Ry to find his way back to his parents and missing grandfather. They meet many people along the way, and embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

The story really doesn't make much sense. Common sense fell off the face of the Earth. Seriously, trust a random stranger who wants to go across the world? Drive with no map and no idea where you're going. Fly an airplane that's definitely built wrong and falling apart. Sail across the ocean just to go find your parents! Call the police, for heaven's sakes! I get it, they're in the middle of nowhere, but you don't just place your life in the hands of a random stranger. With all the people they stopped to talk to, surely one of them would have the common sense to get in touch with the FBI or something.

Aside from the suspending-your-disbelief thing, the book was pretty enjoyable. It is a relaxing book and good for leisure reading. I also really liked that every 5-10 pages or so, there is an illustration or a cartoon. There is even some images about what the dogs are doing, which was strange, but actually relevant. It also has a ton of figurative language. Practically half the book is all imagery. It was cool to visualize a town and lifestyle in the middle of nowhere. I felt like I was watching TV in some parts of As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth.

It's a very weird story, but it was still fun to read. I know a lot of people would really love this book, but I just couldn't get over the missing puzzle pieces and how unrealistic the book is. I recommend that people really good at suspending their disbelief read this book!

Title: As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth

Author: Lynne Rae Perkins

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Pages: 368

Series: No

Rating: 3 Stars

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