Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Study, study, study. Fisher Brown is a junior in high school and his life consists of studying. Son of the high school guidance counselor, Fisher feels the pressure to excel in academics.

Ever since the day Walt Brown's wife left and never came home, he has focused his life on doing the best for his son. He leaves inspirational sticky notes everywhere, and urges Fisher to make every effort count. "THE BIG DAY" is coming up - the SAT test - and he considers it Fisher's ticket to a scholarship and an Ivy League school.

A week before the SAT, Fisher's grandmother is scheduled to be moved into a nursing home. Mr. Brown agrees that Fisher should stay at home and study while he takes care of the move. He knows Fisher is dependable and can take care of himself over the weekend and get himself to school the following week, so he can concentrate on getting Grandmother moved.

However, no one counted on Fisher meeting Lonny, a drifter whose brother lives next door to the Brown's. When Fisher's dad leaves on his trip, Lonny invites Fisher to take the weekend off from studying to help him with a little project. The two take off by Greyhound bus on what Lonny promises to be an adventure.

THE REAL QUESTION takes Fisher on an amazing and at times dangerous journey. His experience, although taking him away from home, helps him learn more about himself, his dad, and perhaps see another side to the mother who left years ago. Adrian Fogelin's writing is filled with humor, emotion, and heartwarming characters that make the story truly remarkable. This is a book well worth having in any collection. ( )

http://interactivereader.blogspot.com/2007/03/plans-they-go-astray.html ( )

Fisher Brown has a one-track mind -- study, study, study. His dad is the high school counselor and all he worries about is getting Fisher into a good college. Fisher's grandmother is moving to a nursing home and his dad has to go help. Fisher is staying home alone for the week. He is expected to go to stay home and study, but Fisher has other ideas.

Lonny, a drifter, invites Fisher to take off for the weekend and help him put a roof on his friend's house. He promises adventure and a chance to get away from studying. It sounds great to Fisher, but he doesn't know what is about to happen.

There is no AR test for this book at this time. ( )