Unclaimed Baggage
By Jen Doll
4/5
()
About this ebook
*A New York Times Staff Pick*
*An NPR Best Book of 2018*
*A Buzzfeed Best YA Book of 2018*
In Jen Doll's young adult debut novel, Unclaimed Baggage, Doris—a lone liberal in a conservative small town—has mostly kept to herself since the terrible waterslide incident a few years ago. Nell had to leave behind her best friends, perfect life, and too-good-to-be-true boyfriend in Chicago to move to Alabama. Grant was the star quarterback and epitome of "Mr. Popular" whose drinking problem has all but destroyed his life. What do these three have in common? A summer job working in a store called Unclaimed Baggage cataloging and selling other people's lost luggage. Together they find that through friendship, they can unpack some of their own emotional baggage and move on into the future.
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Reviews for Unclaimed Baggage
26 ratings5 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Three teenagers become friends while working at a store called Unclaimed Baggage (it is what the name implies, they sell items from lost and unclaimed luggage from the airlines). Each have their own problems and emotional baggage that they have to deal with and work through as the summer progresses. It is told from the perspective of the three teenagers and yes, one piece of luggage. I found the characters lovable, charming and entertaining. The story moves right along as it deals with racism, divorce, loss, alcoholism, and so much more. A very enjoyable read.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5At first, teens Doris, Nell, and Grant seem to have nothing in common beyond their summer job at a thrift store that sells the contents of suitcases left at airports. As they get to know one another, a deep friendship develops, and they find that they can help each other through the difficulties they are currently facing.This is a nice, feel-good story. There’s some romance, but the book is much more about friendship and dealing with one’s past. I found the writing a little pedantic in places, exhibiting a tendency toward unnecessary explanations (see what I did there?). And the chapters were written from the point of view of the three main characters, but I didn’t find their voices very distinctive; several times I had to look back and see who was talking now. (Also, I could have done without the chapters from the perspective of the suitcase — I found that a little too precious.) But despite some quibbles, I found it an enjoyable read, over all. I’d recommend it for younger teens.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I was intrigued by the premise of this book, so much so that when it had to go back to the library unread, I got back on the list again. Suitcases who are forever lost from their owners find their way to a thrift style store called Unclaimed Baggage. Doris is about to begin her second summer there, sorting thru the various bags. She is soon joined by Grant, the local football star with a lot of secrets and Nell, a newcomer to town from the North. Knowing each other helps them learn more about themselves and the summer goes quickly with the three facing a lot of real life, including teen drinking, racism and loss.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5In Doll’s debut YA novel, there’s a lot of baggage packed into the story, and I don’t mean just that of unclaimed luggage It’s the story of three teenagers in Alabama who work together unpacking unclaimed suitcases and selling the merchandise in a store. The teens seem so mature. I am sure I wasn’t that mature when I was that age. Evangelical bigots, interracial hatred, alcoholism and divorce are all problems packed into this well-written and believable story.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A great story about losing and finding about three friends (teenagers) who work at a store for lost luggage in Alabama. Sweat, honest, a little awkward, like being young. Like life.
I couldn't put this book down. Now I am dying for a sequel, a movie about, a tv series. Anything. Just give me more of these characters and this world.