McKenna Berney and her BFF Courtney have a dream. They plan to hike the Appalachian Trail. The 2,000 mile trek starts in Maine and ends in Georgia and should take about six months. Recently graduated from high school, they opted to begin college next semester. Equipment packed and ready, it is a GO in just a few days. That is until Courtney unexpectedly backs out. She refuses to leave her back-together again boyfriend.

Shocked, McKenna tries everything to talk her into joining her, but Courtney is firms in her decision. McKenna refuses to give up her dream, but knows her parents will never allow her to go alone. She lies to them and convinces Courtney to lie too. McKenna begins the Appalachian Trail solo.

The rugged adventure begins at Abol Campground in Baxter State Park. Taking her first step onto the trail, the backpack is heavy, the straps are cutting into her shoulders, she tells herself; she is ready, she has planned, she has trained. However, Mt. Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine proves to be too much for McKenna. Scraped leg, bleeding, thunder and heavy rain and finally a wall of rocks she just cannot climb, she turns around and returns to the Park.

Sam Telghman hikes the Appalachian Trail because he no longer has a home. His mother is dead. His father is abusive and an alcoholic. Sam had almost finished high school when things at home had reached "a point of no return, " and he takes off. No financial security, Sam travels light and is a born "moocher." He is tall, blonde, hunky, with blue eyes and a smile that encourages folks, especially the girls, to share their food and lots of other things with him along the trail.

At the Notch, McKenna meets some girls and the handsome Sam Telghman. During the next few weeks she meets Sam along the trail. They begin a friendship and end up hiking together...and falling in love.

THE DISTANCE FROM ME TO YOU is a beautifully told story by Marina Gessner about dreams, self-discovery, and the struggle to survive. She brings the Appalachian Trail to life with her vivid descriptions. Sam with his velcroed and worn sneakers versus McKenna with her expensive hiking books are a small example of their differences. Ms. Gessner shows us "trail magic", where kindness to strangers is show on the trail with books, clothing, food, even a pint of unopened whisky, are left for the taking. An adorable addition to THE DISTANCE FROM ME TO YOU is Hank, an abused and forsaken dog who finds love and his forever home. I love THE DISTANCE FROM ME TO YOU and will recommend it to everyone who loves an exciting adventure with characters you will remember and think about after the last page.