Title: The land of 10,000 Madonnas
Description: "Which would you choose: a long, quiet life or a short, heroic one? Jesse Serrano has always been drawn to this question, but he's never really had a choice. He's known since birth that a hole in his heart would render his life a short one, whether he likes it or not. As his dying wish, Jesse sends his cousins, best friend, and girlfriend on a trip across Europe--a mysterious mission that seems more harebrained with every leg of the journey. Following Jesse's vague instructions, they trek across the continent, unsure if they should be basking in a backpacking trip before heading off to college or searching for something deeper. Through the museums, ancient ruins, landmarks, and more religious iconography than could fill a Holy Ark, they begin to wonder if they'll ever be able to complete the passage that Jesse laid out for them--and if they even want to without him along for the ride"--

"Jesse lives with his history professor dad in a house covered with postcards of images of the Madonna from all over the world. They&#x2019;re gotten used to this life: two motherless dudes living among thousands of Madonnas. But Jesse has a heart condition that will ultimately cut his life tragically short. Before he dies, he arranges a mysterious trip to Europe for his three cousins, his best friend, and his girlfriend to take after he passes away. It&#x2019;s a trip that will forever change the lives of these young teens and one that will help them come to terms with Jesse&#x2019;s death"--
Subjects: Voyages and travels, Death, Cousins, Juvenile fiction, Travel, Fiction, Children's fiction, Family life, fiction, Death, fiction, Europe, fiction, JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Death & Dying, JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Europe, JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Friendship
Places: Europe