The Colossus of Roads by Christina Uss

Disclaimer: I received an arc from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own. Book: The Colossus of Roads Author: Christina Uss Book Series: Standalone Rating: 4/5 Publication Date: May 5, 2020 Genre: MG Contemporary Recommended Age: 10+ (traffic!) Publisher: Margaret Ferguson Books Pages: 224 Amazon Link Synopsis: “Traffic is a puzzle with one correct solution. And I’ve got to solve it!”Rick has been studying maps and traffic patterns for years, and devises solutions to improve Los Angeles’ notoriously terrible traffic that he calls his Snarl Solutions. He has big ideas, but not enough resources– until his artistic friend, Mila brings him to a Girl Scout meeting.Every week at Miss Diamond’s art studio, the scouts paint recycled traffic signs with their own designs. The signs will be hung all over Los Angeles to beautify the city with art. But Rick, The Colossus of Roads, has ulterior motives . . . He will restore the signs to their original glory and find a way to install them strategically to rectify the traffic. Anything can be hung with duct tape!
But of course, it’s not that easy. SPLAT (Stop Poor LA Traffic), BLAM (Bike-Loving Amazing Mamas), and the TCD (Traffic Calming Division) have their own methods of curing the city’s dilemma and will undermine Rick’s efforts however they can.Will Rick be able to clear the notorious traffic problem on Sepulveda Pass in time for his parents to deliver Polish food to the movie studio and land the catering contract they need to keep their company afloat? Review: Overall, I thought this was a great book. The characters and well developed and engaging, which is super important in a middle grade book. The main character is funny and has severe motion sickness. I also loved the theme of community and coming together to make something better. I felt like the writing was well done as well. I also liked how it showed a kid with a bit of an unusual hobby. I think it shows kids to go after what they want to do, no matter if others are doing it or not. However, I did want more world building in the book and I felt like the pacing was a bit slow for me. Verdict: A good book for kids! BOOK INFORMATIONThe Colossus of Roadsby Christina Uss
Publisher: Margaret Ferguson Books
Release Date: May 5th 2020Genre: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fiction Synopsis: Eleven-year-old Rick Rusek is determined to improve the traffic conditions in Los Angeles– his parent’s failing delivery catering service, Smotch, depends on it. “Traffic is a puzzle with one correct solution. And I’ve got to solve it!” Rick has been studying maps and traffic patterns for years, and devises solutions to improve Los Angeles’ notoriously terrible traffic that he calls his Snarl Solutions. He has big ideas, but not enough resources– until his artistic friend, Mila brings him to a Girl Scout meeting. Every week at Miss Diamond’s art studio, the scouts paint recycled traffic signs with their own designs. The signs will be hung all over Los Angeles to beautify the city with art. But Rick, The Colossus of Roads, has ulterior motives . . . He will restore the signs to their original glory and find a way to install them strategically to rectify the traffic. Anything can be hung with duct tape!But of course, it’s not that easy. SPLAT (Stop Poor LA Traffic), BLAM (Bike-Loving Amazing Mamas), and the TCD (Traffic Calming Division) have their own methods of curing the city’s dilemma and will undermine Rick’s efforts however they can. Will Rick be able to clear the notorious traffic problem on Sepulveda Pass in time for his parents to deliver Polish food to the movie studio and land the catering contract they need to keep their company afloat? Written by Christina Uss, the acclaimed author of The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle, which was selected for the Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List and was a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the year. BOOK LINKSGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36901406-the-colossus-of-roadsAmazon: https://amzn.to/3beHBJ5B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-colossus-of-roads-christina-uss/1133016537?ean=9780823444502iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-colossus-of-roads/id1483391319Bookdepository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Colossus-Roads-Christina-Uss/9780823444502?ref=grid-view&qid=1586987504436&sr=1-1Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/the-colossus-of-roadsGoogle Books: https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/The_Colossus_of_Roads.html?id=8rqMxwEACAAJ&redir_esc=yAUTHOR INFORMATIONChristina Uss has ridden her bicycle across the United States both lengthwise and widthwise, and has worked as an adventure tour guide in fifteen states, leading cyclists of all ages through various mountains’ majesty and all kinds of fruited plains.Even more than pedaling across state lines, Christina loves books, especially ones that remind us all that the world is wonderful, weird place. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her family and will always wave hello if she sees you out riding. AUTHOR LINKSGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15589665.Christina_UssWebsite: http://www.christinauss.com/index.htmlTwitter: https://twitter.com/christinaussInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinauss/