Book Review: Full Ride by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Full Ride

Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Reading Level: Young Adult

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Released: November 12, 2013

Review Source: Simon & Schuster Books

Goodreads Summary

Becca thought her life was over when her father was sent to prison for embezzlement. It didn't help when he used her as his excuse: "How else is a guy like me supposed to send his daughter to college?" She and her mother fled their town and their notoriety, started over, and vowed never to let anyone know about their past.

Now a senior in high school, Becca has spent the last four years hiding in anonymity. But when it's time to apply to colleges and for financial aid, her mother gives her a rude awakening: If she applies, her past may be revealed to the world.

But Becca has already applied for a full-ride scholarship. And as she begins to probe deeper into the secrets of her past, she discovers that she and her mother might be in danger of more than simple discovery - by revealing the truth about their past, she might be putting their very lives in jeopardy.

​As a high school senior, I’ve jumped into the vast world of college applications, standard tests, and essays. Trying to find the right college has become a unique journey that reveals a lot about a person, so when I found a book based on a journey to college I was intrigued. Combined with a very unique plot line, 

Full Ride embodies the stress and excitement of college searching while also providing a mysterious drama of a story. Filled with intrigue and mystery, Haddix uses a style of writing that makes reading this book seemingly flow with out a hitch. Also the characters Haddix creates fit perfectly in the world she creates, are likeable, and are easy to sympathize with. The pace of the novel moves like a slow gentle breeze, but at some points the mystery and dram quickly ratchet up the tension providing a good overall balance in the book. Full Ride also comes with a few surprises that are sure to entertain any readers.

​In Full Ride, we take a look into the world of Becca, a senior about to graduate high school and looking for the perfect college. Becca has one problem though; she is the daughter of famous embezzlement criminal. When her father was sent to prison on major embezzlement charges, Becca, a young teenager at the time, and her mother had to flee their town and begin a new in a life of anonymity. Fast forward to the present and Becca has lived her entire high school career without any one finding out. Now that Becca is beginning to fill out financial aid and apply for scholarships, she and her mother not only begin to worry about their identity but their physical safety as well. Full Ride does a great job of portraying the realistic final year of high school while also delivering a great mystery as well.The characters also develop well through out the novel and really become relatable. The way Haddix writes in general also just makes the book flow from page to page. While this may not be the most exciting book, it surely has its enjoyable aspects. A book to read when passing the time or on long trips, Full Ride will definitely quiet that book fix that comes every now and then.