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Rocky Road
Ice cream warms the heart, no matter what the weather.
That's the Dobson family motto. Whenever things get tough, they break out the special heart-shaped bowls and make sundaes. The road has been especially rocky lately for Tess and her deaf little brother, Jordan. Their plucky Texan mother talks big, but her get-rich-quick business schemes have only landed them in serious financial hot water.
Ma's newest idea is drastic. She abruptly moves the family to snowy Schenectady, New York, where she will use the last of their savings to open her dream an ice cream shop. (Too bad the only place she could find an apartment is in a senior citizens' complex.) Tess wants to be excited about this plan, but life in Schenectady is full of new worries. Who will buy ice cream in their shop's run-down neighborhood? What will happen when their money runs out? Worst of all is Ma herself-she's famous for her boundless energy and grandiose ideas, but only Tess and Jordan know about the dark days when she crashes and can't get out of bed. And Tess can't seem to find the right words to talk to Ma about it.
This moving story of family, community, and ice cream proves that with a little help from the people around us, life really can be sweet-and a little nutty-just like Rocky Road.
That's the Dobson family motto. Whenever things get tough, they break out the special heart-shaped bowls and make sundaes. The road has been especially rocky lately for Tess and her deaf little brother, Jordan. Their plucky Texan mother talks big, but her get-rich-quick business schemes have only landed them in serious financial hot water.
Ma's newest idea is drastic. She abruptly moves the family to snowy Schenectady, New York, where she will use the last of their savings to open her dream an ice cream shop. (Too bad the only place she could find an apartment is in a senior citizens' complex.) Tess wants to be excited about this plan, but life in Schenectady is full of new worries. Who will buy ice cream in their shop's run-down neighborhood? What will happen when their money runs out? Worst of all is Ma herself-she's famous for her boundless energy and grandiose ideas, but only Tess and Jordan know about the dark days when she crashes and can't get out of bed. And Tess can't seem to find the right words to talk to Ma about it.
This moving story of family, community, and ice cream proves that with a little help from the people around us, life really can be sweet-and a little nutty-just like Rocky Road.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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811 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
June 22, 2011
Sewing, crocheting, crafty Tess Dobson has the weight of the world on her twelve-year-old shoulders as she finds herself, her deaf eight-year-old brother, and her mother, living in an assisted living facility in Schenectady, New York, once her virtually penniless mother moves them there from San Antonio, Texas in the middle of winter. Unfortunately, she’s more adult than her mother, Delilah, who suffers from Shooting Stars (undiagnosed Bipolar Disorder). Delilah refuses to take the time to properly learn sign language, so she can barely communicate with her son (she leaves that to Tess), is always getting them evicted from their homes since she spends the rent money, and is always looking for the next big business opportunity to invest in. Now, Delilah’s latest idea is to take the very last of their money and buy an ice cream shop.
Tess immediately captures your heart as she worries about them ending up homeless if this idea crashes, as she mothers her little brother - and her mother, and worries about when Delilah is going to have another episode of Shooting Stars.
It’s always so unfair when a child has to give up childhood and become an adult way before it’s time for them to be one. With an absentee father, all Tess knows is how to rely on herself and do what needs to be done so that she and her brother have some semblance of normality. There is no other family involved, so there’s no one to force Delilah to get the help she needs. Thank goodness, Tess and Jordan find a family with the seniors who are their neighbors. They move around so often, I can only assume Child Services never has a chance to become involved. The title Rocky Road refers to young Tess’s life as well as her favorite ice cream flavor. She’s so grown up for her age, it’s sad. By the end, you care about them so much, you just hope that everything will turn out better for them all down the road. I really liked this one.
Tess immediately captures your heart as she worries about them ending up homeless if this idea crashes, as she mothers her little brother - and her mother, and worries about when Delilah is going to have another episode of Shooting Stars.
It’s always so unfair when a child has to give up childhood and become an adult way before it’s time for them to be one. With an absentee father, all Tess knows is how to rely on herself and do what needs to be done so that she and her brother have some semblance of normality. There is no other family involved, so there’s no one to force Delilah to get the help she needs. Thank goodness, Tess and Jordan find a family with the seniors who are their neighbors. They move around so often, I can only assume Child Services never has a chance to become involved. The title Rocky Road refers to young Tess’s life as well as her favorite ice cream flavor. She’s so grown up for her age, it’s sad. By the end, you care about them so much, you just hope that everything will turn out better for them all down the road. I really liked this one.
August 23, 2013
I used this book for a middle school book-club and the boys and girls really enjoyed it. The main character struggles to keep everything together as her mom puts together a new ice cream shoppe ( one of her many schemes). The characters are lively and the story has a few cute surprises, as we see the protagonist overcome obstacles and help her mother come into her own as well. It was a great story on mental disorders and dealing with family issues for the middle school age.
October 14, 2014
Not a bad book about having a bipolar parent. This book may be responsible for weight gain, as you may have to run out and buy ice cream due to cravings that the book will instill in you.
September 22, 2019
I was wandering around my library reading the backs of all the books on display and this one just sounded like a book that would make me happy. I flew through the pages and fell in love with the characters. Sometimes the youth section has everything you need ❤️
August 25, 2017
Rocky Road was such a pleasant surprise. While it's no masterpiece or feat of literature, the sense of community and feelings it brought out were sincere, realistic, and recognisable.
The book follows the Texan Dobson Family who move to a senior apartment complex in snowy Schenectady New York where brother and sister Jordan and Tess' mother seeks to open her very own ice creamery. There we're introduced to the memorable residents of the apartment complex, my favourite being "Diana Ross eat your heart out- and gain some weight," Winnie who's a caring retired nurse and motown revivalist. Each and every other character introduced from the complex, the town, and Tess's school are just as memorable, and it's a real pleasure to see the characters come together as the story progresses. It has a real Gilmore Girls/ Stars Hollow vibe which is just so charming.
The Dobson family themselves are characterised wonderfully. Tess, a Junior High aged teenager who's passionate, talented, and artistic. I believe she's 12, which is quite surprising given her gifted nature. However, this aptness is made organic given that throughout her life we gather she's had to grow up faster than most children given the responsibility she's taken on in her family. This is due to having to pick up the slack when her larger than life Ma is crippled by her recurring "Shooting Stars" syndrome, and from having to look after her much younger brother Jordan who is deaf. They're a colourful family, and a loveable family, and their journey is just as heartfelt as it is entertaining/engaging.
If my admiration of Rose Kent hasn't spoken for itself yet, let me just say, I admire her. Not only is her setting well described, her story well told, and her characters fully realised, likeable, and loveable, she even goes the extra mile to pack so much personality into the book. The book, just like Rocky Road icecream, offers a burst of flavour that's bound to entertain any reader looking to loose themselves in the book.
The book was a pleasure to read, and I truly don't have any substantial criticism to offer. So, with that said, I'm very happy to rate the book a 5/5, especially considering that it was written to entertain younger children. I'm especially impressed with it's ability to mix jovial experiences with unapologetically honest representations of struggling families.
If you're looking for a book filled with heart and humour, Rocky Road is the book for you!
The book follows the Texan Dobson Family who move to a senior apartment complex in snowy Schenectady New York where brother and sister Jordan and Tess' mother seeks to open her very own ice creamery. There we're introduced to the memorable residents of the apartment complex, my favourite being "Diana Ross eat your heart out- and gain some weight," Winnie who's a caring retired nurse and motown revivalist. Each and every other character introduced from the complex, the town, and Tess's school are just as memorable, and it's a real pleasure to see the characters come together as the story progresses. It has a real Gilmore Girls/ Stars Hollow vibe which is just so charming.
The Dobson family themselves are characterised wonderfully. Tess, a Junior High aged teenager who's passionate, talented, and artistic. I believe she's 12, which is quite surprising given her gifted nature. However, this aptness is made organic given that throughout her life we gather she's had to grow up faster than most children given the responsibility she's taken on in her family. This is due to having to pick up the slack when her larger than life Ma is crippled by her recurring "Shooting Stars" syndrome, and from having to look after her much younger brother Jordan who is deaf. They're a colourful family, and a loveable family, and their journey is just as heartfelt as it is entertaining/engaging.
If my admiration of Rose Kent hasn't spoken for itself yet, let me just say, I admire her. Not only is her setting well described, her story well told, and her characters fully realised, likeable, and loveable, she even goes the extra mile to pack so much personality into the book. The book, just like Rocky Road icecream, offers a burst of flavour that's bound to entertain any reader looking to loose themselves in the book.
The book was a pleasure to read, and I truly don't have any substantial criticism to offer. So, with that said, I'm very happy to rate the book a 5/5, especially considering that it was written to entertain younger children. I'm especially impressed with it's ability to mix jovial experiences with unapologetically honest representations of struggling families.
If you're looking for a book filled with heart and humour, Rocky Road is the book for you!
May 21, 2023
This book is about a girl, Tess, her little brother who is deaf, Jordan, and her Ma, but her Ma and Dad are divorced, because her Ma kicked him out because of his booze problems. Her Ma has bipolar disorder, a disorder that Tess likes to call shooting stars. She is doing great, reaching for the stars, but then all of a sudden she is stuck in bed crying for days on end, just like a shooting star fizzles out. It causes her Ma to make sudden business decisions and start a new business to "Make-us-rich-fast," but they always don't work and they make them broke fast. There is a lot more to it, It's a long summary if you want to go into detail. I mostly enjoyed this book, although at times it got boring, but mostly good.
July 17, 2020
I like that Tess, the main character, isn’t too problematic. She’s just a regular kid stuck with a bipolar mother and deaf brother but she manages.
Tidbits about ice cream and retail business. Includes recipes too.
Tidbits about ice cream and retail business. Includes recipes too.
September 13, 2023
Cute story, cute cover, just a simple story I don't know if this was the authors first book..... but maybe like ages 9 through 11 idk
December 10, 2019
the theme is never give up
December 13, 2019
Take risks, but don't do it when you know you might lose everything.
April 20, 2015
Read this one because the author was at the Collingswood Book Festival a few years ago; a friend picked it up and passed it on. Interesting, unique story about overcoming doubts to stay true to yourself and your family. I admired Tess's dedication to her little brother, and the way she made new friends. I also loved her elderly friends and how they both came to rely on each other.
The only reason I'd knock off one star is because of the voice. Tess thought and spoke more like an ambitious college student (with an affinity for summer camp crafts) than a 12-year-old; the things she noticed and the projects she tackled were things that never in a million years would have even occurred to my 12-year-old self. Not that 12-year-olds like that don't exist, but she was so overachieving it was kind of hard to follow her sometimes.
But I still really, really liked her; truthfully my favorite kind of character. Someone who takes things into her own hands, looks out for others and doesn't wallow. Any entrepreneurial middle schooler would like this book, I think.
The only reason I'd knock off one star is because of the voice. Tess thought and spoke more like an ambitious college student (with an affinity for summer camp crafts) than a 12-year-old; the things she noticed and the projects she tackled were things that never in a million years would have even occurred to my 12-year-old self. Not that 12-year-olds like that don't exist, but she was so overachieving it was kind of hard to follow her sometimes.
But I still really, really liked her; truthfully my favorite kind of character. Someone who takes things into her own hands, looks out for others and doesn't wallow. Any entrepreneurial middle schooler would like this book, I think.
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April 30, 2016I love this book so much. I think I like this book so much because a lot of the books I read have things that wouldn't normally happen in reality, but this book had real life problems that people actual deal with. Financial problems, health problems, and a lot of other stuff that is in real life! When I read books that I really really like, I do not want to let it go. This is by far one of the best books that I've ever read in a long time. I think this book should get an award! Thats just how good it is.
September 18, 2011
I don't know what I expected when I picked up this book, but I didn't expect it to be about a twelve year old. I think that the author got the age completely wrong, because no twelve year old acts the way that this girl did. It was a really good story, but I felt like it almost came off a little cheap because of the narrator. Don't worry though, I would still suggest it, just maybe to a younger crowd. Another positive note? I will be trying the recipes in the back, no lie.
April 26, 2016
This book is good for so many reasons. It is authentic and has depth but is also easy to read without feeling depressed. It has both mental illness, and disability without being contrived. The plot line is interesting and although fairly optimistic in terms of realism very well planned. All in all one of my favorite "Deaf character" books. The protagonist is a hearing girl with a deaf little brother and BiPolar mom.
August 28, 2010
I really liked the local details about this book -- which the majority of kids won't care about. It was a good story with a good message about a girl who is independent and trying to make the best of a bad situation. However, pretty unrealistic, I think the character should have been at least 14 or 15 instead of 12.
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May 2, 2012Already finished it on the 30th of April. So yeah.......... Was a great book:) Was very weird though. lol:)
November 27, 2015
This book is AMAZING!! It teaches you lot's of life lessons. It may be long but you should still read it.
October 20, 2019
Tess Dobson, a 12-year-old girl originally from San Antonio, Texas, now lives in an assisted living home in Schenectady, New York with her mom and her deaf 8-year-old brother. She's also a very crafty girl. Her mom, who suffers from mental health issues and has next to no money, has decided to move the family cross-country after she came up with the idea to open an ice cream shop. Tess now has to face many new challenges such as going to a new school in the middle of winter, keeping up with her brother as well as her mom, having to care for her brother for her mom because she doesn't want to learn sign language, and more. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good page turner.
May 21, 2023
The concept was good, but the book was just so unrealistic. Unrealistic about Schenectady, about people being willing to 'pitch in' when they don't know you, and more. What REALLY annoyed me was that there was this one character, a kid that was Tess' age, who knew everything about the history of Schenectady, and suggested that everyone else who lived there did. Most people do not know the history of their town or city, and it just really bothered me. Really the ending was the worst part, but I really don't remember too much about it because I read this a year or two ago. I can't describe everything, but yeah, this book thoroughly annoyed me.
July 27, 2017
I remember reading this as my first AR book because I thought the cover was pretty. I excited about middle school and wanted to do good on this test that I took notes on all chapters which was so unnecessary because I didn't even look at them and I got 10/10. This book was really good though. I don't remember much because I'm writing this review three years later (I read this the summer before 6 grade and now it's the summer before 9 grade) but I remember a little bit and that I really liked it.
May 6, 2017
The theme in Rocky Road expressed itself throughout the whole book. That was to always have faith. During the course of the story, Tess the main character had started to lose faith in her mom because of her "Shooting Stars", or bipolar depression got in the way of their new business, A Cherry On Top. But at the end of the book Tess' mom got medical helped and pushed through when Tess told her she had faith in her mom.
February 21, 2021
Overall, a fabulous book! I liked the diverse characters (several black characters, one who was deaf, one with bipolar disorder, ect), and I loved the main character, and saw myself in her. My only quarry was that I was a little confused with where tess got the money to buy things, like art supplies and dr. Pepper, considering a major part of of story was her family's money issues. It's not a reason you shouldn't read it, it is still an awesome book, just some constructive criticism.
November 13, 2023
This book met my need for something lighter and more positive than the books I have recently read. The author deals with many different issues. A young girl is basically keeping a family together. The mother has one get rich quick after another. The mother's decision to move to another area and start an ice cream shop is the last in a long line of get rich ideas. There's a deaf brother included in the soup of craziness. The author tells the story easily and quickly.
April 28, 2018
This book was fun to read since it was about ice cream! I liked how the story took place in Schenectady, which is close to where I live so I could relate to to some of the events that happened, especially the weather. I didn't really like when Tess' mom wouldn't even go to the grand opening of A Cherry on Top.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2021
Ice cream loving teens who appreciate tons of action and complications will love this novel filled with a single-parent, mani-depressive mom, a deaf son, and an artistic daughter working together to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Girls will appreciate the love story between teens as well as the surprise ending.
August 27, 2017
4.5/5 stars. This was great! I loved the characters, and how realistic everything was. I also really appreciate how the story deals with both mental illness and hearing impairment. Also, I love ice cream in any weather.
March 26, 2019
A girl has to deal with her mother being bi-polar, and her brother being deaf, and no father in the picture, and starting a new school/city. I didn't like the girl - she's supposed to be 12, but no 12 year old would act/sound that way. More like 16 or 17 easy.
June 12, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked this book! It was a cute read of family bonds through hard times and I read the whole thing in my head with a Texan accent haha. Now I wish I had a bowl of peppermint ice cream, my favorite!
October 31, 2018
Great book. Especially to those of you who like ice cream!
January 23, 2019
Exciting and emotional ending although it was expected. Loved how it took place in Schenectady.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews