Publishers Weekly
★ 04/14/2014
In Cardi's candid and multilayered debut, high school junior Alex Winchester already has a full plate when her mother begins to believe she is Amelia Earhart, writing letters to an imaginary family, studying maps, and building makeshift aeronautical devices for her "around-the-world tour." Overwhelmed by the transformation, which appears to have been sparked by the death of Alex's baby sister, Alex's father mismanages the situation and makes Alex responsible for sheltering her two younger siblings. With her own anxiety mounting, Alex begins to play into her mother's fantasy world, recognizing the immense hold that it has taken on her mother and believing that it may be the only means through which to reach her. Alex's crush on a senior provides some brightness, but it's eclipsed by her fear that he'll discover the truth about her home life. Alex's voice is caustic, honest, and studded with humor. Cardi weaves elegant metaphors and incisive dialogue throughout her chapters, concluding with a wrenching sentiment about the necessity of sometimes allowing a lost loved one to find her own way home. Ages 12–up. Agent: Taylor Martindale, Full Circle Literary. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
Cardi delves into issues of love, acceptance, loss and identity in her engaging debut novel. ... The author creates nuanced characters and presents them with their flaws and strengths intact, including a character with a mental disorder who never loses her humanity or becomes a caricature. ... [A] well-written, first-person narrative about negotiating life’s curve balls that has a realistic ending. An honest, uncompromising story.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
[A] candid and multilayered debut... Alex's voice is caustic, honest, and studded with humor. Cardi weaves elegant metaphors and incisive dialogue throughout her chapters, concluding with a wrenching sentiment about the necessity of sometimes allowing a lost loved one to find her own way home.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Character development through the rendering of small detail is strong here, particularly with respect to Alex’s younger siblings, Katy and Teddy, who emerge in realistic response to their mother’s withdrawal from their lives. The result is a solidly crafted family story that sensitively explores the ripple effects of the temporary brokenness of one member.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
The novel’s central theme is a clever, deft twist on the idea of leaving home. ... A novelist to watch.
—School Library Journal
Cardi presents a powerful look at family life and how it changes everything when you need to watch over your parent.
—VOYA
"The Chance You Won't Return" is a stunning debut novel featuring a profound exploration of family dynamics and the effects of mental illness. The story palpitates with a raw mix of emotions, including frustration and love, as Alex attempts to navigate a new world where her mother is no longer her mother. Cardi’s realistic treatment of the issues in this novel make for a poignant story that will stay with readers long after the final page is turned.
—TeenReads.com
School Library Journal
09/01/2014
Gr 9 Up—Driver's Ed is turning junior year into a nightmare for Alex. She keeps having panic attacks when she gets behind the wheel. But that is nothing compared to home, where her mother has had a psychotic break and is convinced that she is Amelia Earhart. Alex is acutely embarrassed and desperate to keep her friends and new boyfriend in the dark about her home life. Her father needs Alex's help with taking care of her younger siblings while he tries to get his wife the care she needs. Alex often sneaks downstairs in the middle of the night to have heartfelt talks with "Amelia," in whom she can confide more easily than when she was "mom." It can be hard to sympathize with Alex and her family. Cardi has captured the all-consuming self-absorption of which teens are capable, and the family interactions read as very mean-spirited. The author has also given Alex a slightly older, slightly dangerous, enormously kind, and patient cliché of a boyfriend. But the novel's central theme is a clever, deft twist on the idea of leaving home. At a time of life when teenagers should be the ones departing, even just by learning to drive or going to dances, the author has Alex's mother threatening to abandon the family without ever saying it. As Amelia, she is looking over charts and maps, preparing for a final flight, and Alex fears that her mother may disappear and like Earhart, never return. A novelist to watch.—Geri Diorio, Ridgefield Library, CT
School Library Journal - Audio
07/01/2014
Gr 10 Up—Junior Alex Winchester is overwhelmed trying to deal with her mother's recent mental illness and learning to drive. Her new love interest is the least of her worries, but offers a much-needed distraction. Her mother suddenly starts poring over maps at the kitchen table and dressing in unusual clothing—khaki pants and scarves—while referring to herself as Amelia Earhart. The doctor recognizes it as delusional disorder and tells the family not to encourage her but Alex finds it easier to talk to "Amelia" than her mom about her newfound love, Jim Wiley. At times listeners might get tired of hearing about Alex's anxiety and want to shout, "Just drive already!" H, the voice of Jessica Lauren Ball will keep listeners interested and hopeful that it will all work out for Alex. The voice of Amelia, with its swanky flair and self-righteousness, will be a favorite of listeners. This audio captures a snapshot of a mental illness and will appeal to older teens who enjoy a love story as well as family drama. Fans of Amelia Earhart won't be disappointed either.—Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2014-02-19
Cardi delves into issues of love, acceptance, loss and identity in her engaging debut novel. High school junior Alex Winchester is a pretty typical teenager. She fights with her mom, is annoyed by her baby brother and expects her younger sister to keep her secrets. Alex does have some problems, such as a paralyzing fear of driving. And she has been noticing an alarming change in her mom's behavior, which manifests as a delusional disorder. Mrs. Winchester begins to believe that she is the long-missing, presumed-dead aviatrix Amelia Earhart. After a brief hospitalization, Mrs. Winchester returns home with her delusion intact and treats Alex as one of her fellow female aviators. Alex attempts to adapt to her new role as Amelia's friend as she tries to keep her new reality a secret from her friends and classmates, as well as her new boyfriend, senior Jim Wiley. The author creates nuanced characters and presents them with their flaws and strengths intact, including a character with a mental disorder who never loses her humanity or becomes a caricature. Readers seeking yet another teen problem novel with an unrealistically positive ending should look elsewhere. This novel delivers something far more rare: a well-written, first-person narrative about negotiating life's curve balls that has a realistic ending. An honest, uncompromising story. (Fiction. 14 & up)
