Book Review: 806: A Novel by Cynthia Weil

806: A Novel by Cynthia Weil

Sibling 1 throws blenders and plays guitar. Sibling 2 is allergic to everything and is into magic. Sibling 3 is a varsity swimmer with a group of female fans. Enough said. 

The only thing they have in common is their biological father, and the only thing they can agree on is that they all want to meet him. 
With the help of a broken-down, “borrowed” Jeep, KT, Jesse, and Gabe make their way across the country evading police, trying their luck on the slots, and meeting a life-changing pig, all to track down Donor 806, their father. Any hope of success requires smarts, luck, and ingenuity.
 Good thing they have each other...even if they don't see it that way.

Title: 806: A Novel

Author: Cynthia Weil

Genre: Young Adult 

Recommended Age: Teen

Release Date: March 13, 2018

Sibling 1 throws blenders and plays guitar. Sibling 2 is allergic to everything and is into magic. Sibling 3 is a varsity swimmer with a group of female fans. Enough said. 

The only thing they have in common is their biological father, and the only thing they can agree on is that they all want to meet him. 

With the help of a broken-down, “borrowed” Jeep, KT, Jesse, and Gabe make their way across the country evading police, trying their luck on the slots, and meeting a life-changing pig, all to track down Donor 806, their father. Any hope of success requires smarts, luck, and ingenuity.

 Good thing they have each other...even if they don't see it that way.

This is a cute, adventure, young adult book. It really makes you think about the children of sperm donors and how they feel about themselves. 

KT, you feel for almost immediately when you hear about her mom and the life she has grown up in. You can see how she became a realist/a bit pessimistic at such a young age. Her feeling of being half whole is completely understandable. 

Jesse seems to have the perfect life. He is the handsome jock and star of the swim team however, you soon realize that there is a lot more to the kid and being in that position is harder than you think. People don't expect much of jocks and with his lesbian moms, he has held on to quite a bit of doubt about who he is and just wants to find out what he wants in life besides swimming and being the golden boy. 

Gabe is the nerdy magician with allergies. He is that gross kid in school that you feel sorry for. He seems to have the perfect, loving parents. They are understanding and supportive and love him with everything they have. So you don't really understand why he goes on this adventure at first even though he sort of says. 

Throughout the book, you start understanding where all of these kids are coming from and why they are on this adventure to find their sperm donor dad. Each feels that they are missing a part of them and that missing piece is going to make them happier and whole. The whole adventure is a series of learning for these kids. They need each other for who they each are and did not have a clue about it even though they were all disappointed when they first met up. 

Overall, this book is a great book and taught me some really great lessons about looking at the bright side of life. Because "You never know what amazing things can happen".

4 out of 5

Cynthia Weil is a member of the Rock and Roll and Songwriters Halls of Fame, as well as the multi-Grammy-winning songwriter of classic songs like "On Broadway," "We Gotta Get Out of This Place," "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" (the most performed song of the 20th century), and "Somewhere Out There," which was a double Grammy winner and an Oscar nominee. A New Yorker at heart, she has lived in Southern California for many years with her husband and writing partner, Barry Mann. Cynthia's and Barry's younger selves and their songs are featured in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway. I'm Glad I Did is her first novel.

*Review originally posted February 24, 2018 on crossroadreviews.com

May you always find adventure.
- Jaiden