Reach for the Clouds, paperback

John Smith is as average as his name. But he wants to excel at something, like his big brother, the “super achiever”. So, when John discovers he really wants to fly airplanes, he takes steps toward earning enough money to attend ground flight school.

Since his parents are unconvinced, and even unsupportive, John takes on two part-time jobs. He doesn’t know that he’ll soon have to struggle with friends who let him down, a physical injury, and two girls hinting at romance.

And one of those girls has a jealous boyfriend who is out to get him.

REACH FOR THE CLOUDS is the story of one focused and committed teen who is determined to, literally, fly through the clouds.

The plot is easy to follow, while still having a reasonable number of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. Even though John struggles to gain his parents’ approval to fly, his quirks and struggles are extraordinarily relatable. The authors force the reader to stare in the mirror, to see the fears and embarrassments that hold us back on a daily basis.

The suspense kept me hooked throughout. The characters had interesting flaws and contrasting personalities. Each felt like someone you could meet walking down the street.

The novel's themes of friendship, fear of failure, self-doubt, perseverance, and the importance of doing what is right will resonate with readers of all ages and make Reach for the Clouds a true gem of young adult literature. I'd recommend it to all!

Dr. Scout Cloud Lee, Author, Corporate Coach, and Finalist on Survivor Vanuatu

As all dreamers have experienced, dreams can quickly become nightmares. In Reach for the Clouds disappointment appears endlessly around every corner, as well as emotional entanglements. As John finally realizes his dream, you’ll find yourself engaged and asking for more.

Salome L. Vaughn, award winning poet

Reach for the Clouds is a classic study of a family where parents pick a golden child and another child becomes a scapegoat. The characters’ personalities are well-drawn. As John works hard to overcome all the obstacles in his pathway there are surprises around every corner. I rooted for him all the way. The bully Blake is a real jerk. A very satisfying read!

--Mary Payne, advocate for adopted adults, and author of Adoption’s Hidden History and Lyncoya, Andrew Jackson’s Adopted Indian Son