I really loved this book! The setting is a bit magical and whimsical, but at the same time the book addresses pretty tough issues. The protagonists feelings about her abusive mother and neglectful father are explored and I felt good about the conclusions that she reaches. This book is about an escape, but at the same time it acknowledges that some problems cant be run from or fixed, you just have to do your best. I gave it 5 stars because I liked it and it make me laugh and also made me cry on the bus when I was reading it. ( )

Nell and her best friend Lydia decide they’ll secretly spend their summer days living on an abandoned golf course, fishing in the pond, rolling down the grassy hills, and holing up inside the giant putt-putt course props. The plan is to escape from their mothers and enjoy having just the two of them all day every day, but what they don’t count on is that they may not be the only ones at home on the golf course.

This story is set in Birmingham, right between Avondale and the Highlands, so you’ll recognize the names of places and landmarks, and you may even recognize some places that are described but not named. And, of course, you’ll love (or hate) Lydia’s dog Saban…

Grown-up portion of review:

This was full of mundane and unimportant details that detracted from the movement of the plot, details like what color M&Ms Nell ate from a bag (two yellows and a red). The book felt unfinished when it ended, and I wanted a little more character development. Kids may not notice these things, but they may end up bored before the end. ( )

Nell and Lydia are best friends, but Lydia's mother, in a snit over some unnamed thing Nell's mother did, tells Lydia that she doesn't want them to see each other anymore.

Nell has a plan though (which puts a significant strain on the credibility of the tale) for the two girls to spend the entire summer during the day on an abandoned golf and putt-putt course, complete with giant fiberglass dinosaur, rocket, and underground aquariums.

The book is ultimately about dealing with family, and acknowledging (which most books for this age don't) that sometimes your family may be horrible. For the bulk of the book, Nell escapes her frequently dreadful mother, to live on the golf course. But she can't stay there forever. And the book is also about facing reality, however unpleasant it may be sometimes. ( )

A little implausible, but deeply satisfying. Gracefully told. I would have liked to learn more about the friend's family, and I would like Nell's mom to get treated for what is clearly clinical depression, but as a child I would like the book just exactly as is. Who doesn't dream of running away, but not away from safety, and living in a fantasy world? I already enjoy mini-golf and now I'll enjoy it even more, wondering what it would be like to spend all my days on a semi-abandoned course with my best friend. ( )