Escaping Limbo

by Mike F. Elliott

Francis Paulson is an A student, altar boy, and the polar opposite of his friend Izzy, who fears no nun or priest, just his abusive old man. Francis plans to help Izzy, grieving the loss of his older brother, by secretly earning money for a taboo canoe trip north of their hometown, St. Paul, Minnesota. Not only will the trip ease his friend's pain, but it may allow Francis to face his creeping doubts about his strict Catholic upbringing.

Earning funds gets tough for Francis when incidents involving his younger twin sisters and a cute rambunctious girl threaten his relationship with Izzy. And while these teens navigate the chaos of their personal lives, they witness the turmoil of 1960s America firsthand.

Escaping Limbo is a historically accurate and touching coming-of-age story.

288 pages, Paperback

Published February 20, 2024

Reviews

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to be inside the mind of a middle school boy? No? What about one attending a Catholic school? Still no? How about a middle school boy whose parents own a candy store? Mike F. Elliott did an amazing job in “Escaping Limbo” at portraying all of these and more! In “Escaping Limbo” by Mike F. Elliott, we follow Francis and his best friend Izzy as they explore what being a young man is all about during the 1960s. It’s full of fun, adventure, and also some traumas that help define who they want to be.

I really enjoyed reading about Francis and Izzy. The formatting of the stories at first seemed chaotic, but the more I read, the more I realized that it fit exactly how a 13-year-old boy would tell his story. I have nephews around this age, and their stories are never linear. They have to backtrack constantly to get their thoughts out. Francis did this throughout the book; however, it was not confusing. I was able to follow his train of thought as he shared his adventures with his best friend, Izzy. Each chapter also felt like individual stories of moments in his life that still intertwined.

The grammar and editing are impeccable! Very rarely do I read books that have so few errors. Also, Elliott is really good at painting a picture of what’s happening. I was able to picture the process of Francis and Frank making the peanut brittle. Of the canoe going down the river. The characters have well-rounded personalities as well. He got down to the nit and grit of why Francis was always following the rules and why Izzy was such a wild card. Readers are given the chance to understand why their parents handled things in certain ways.

Now there is quite a bit of adult content in this book. While it is about middle school boys, there is a lot of cursing, talk about drugs, alcohol, and brief mentions of sex. Due to the upbringing of one of the boys, it all fits in with the story. However, I wanted to mention this as not all middle schoolers are exposed to these same things so early. I would not personally recommend this book for anyone under the age of 16 or 17.

Overall, “Escaping Limbo” by Mike F. Elliott is a fun and emotional read about two middle school boys working through some of the difficulties of their lives. The genre would be historical fiction coming-of-age for teens and young adults. In addition to the cursing, drugs, alcohol, and sex, child abuse is also discussed, although never described in full detail. As a bonus, the author included some recipes at the end of the book that I will definitely be trying out!

[Maissy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escaping Limbo is a heartfelt, coming-of-age story set against the vivid backdrop of 1960s America. Mike F. Elliott masterfully captures the tension between youthful innocence and the harsh realities of growing up. Francis and Izzy are relatable, well-drawn characters whose friendship is tested by grief, doubt, and the search for identity. Elliott blends humor, heartbreak, and historical accuracy in a story that feels both deeply personal and socially aware. It’s a quiet yet powerful tale of loyalty, loss, and the struggle to break free from the expectations of family, faith, and the world around you.

[Deborah Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escaping Limbo is a beautifully written coming-of-age tale that feels both deeply personal and historically vivid. Mike F. Elliott captures the complexities of friendship, family, and faith with a warmth and honesty that pulled me right into Francis and Izzy’s world. The 1960s setting feels authentic without ever overshadowing the characters, and the emotional stakes grief, loyalty, and self-discovery make this story impossible to put down. It’s touching, funny at times, and ultimately moving. A wonderful read for anyone who loves character-driven historical fiction.

[Jennifer (Yodareads) Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to be inside the mind of a middle school boy? No? What about one attending a catholic school? Still no? How about a middle school boy whose parents own a candy store? Mike F. Elliott did an amazing job in “Escaping Limbo” at portraying all of these and more! In this book, we follow Francis and his best friend Izzy as they explore what being a young man is all about during the 1960s. It’s full of fun, adventure, and also some trauma’s that help define who they want to be.

Overall, “Escaping Limbo” by Mike F. Elliott is a fun and emotional read about two middle school boys working through some of the difficulties of their lives. The genre would be historical fiction coming-of-age. As mentioned above, there is a lot of cursing, mentions of drugs, alcohol, and sex. There is also child abuse discussed, although never described in full detail. As a bonus, the author included some recipes at the end of the book that I will definitely be trying out!

For a more detailed review, go to the link below:
https://readerviews.com/reviews/escap...