United Tates of America

the long version

Eleven-year-old aspiring artist Skate Tate experiences many changes when she enters middle school, finds her best friend drifting away from her, and loses her beloved Great-Uncle Mort who inspires her to use the strength she never knew she had. Skate Tate hates change. But her whole life is changing at once. It's just not fair! Sixth grade is tough. Her new school is bigger, the classes are harder, and Skate's group of close friends is growing apart. Only her Great Uncle Mort (GUM for short) can help her deal with it all. He's not afraid of anything. When tragedy strikes, GUM sends Skate and her family on a road trip that will change their lives forever, starting with Plymouth, Massachusetts. Skate is taking it all down in her scrapbook, but will she ever learn how to handle what lies just around the corner?