Touted as one of the best coming of age stories, I was expecting Finding Sagrado to follow the typical timeline of a teenager transitioning from youth to adult. I do enjoy reading about the timeless process that has been around since humans were created, sometimes the typical aspect of it gets a big boring. I was pleasantly surprised that this book wasnt the lackluster age-old storyline that most similar books follow. There is a lot of depth to the details of Shanes life and even though the setting is in days of yesteryear, the struggles and lessons Shane dealt with are still relevant. It is also one of those novels that gives you a glimpse into the struggles of a few decades ago and how we have progressed socially since then and what we still need to work on. I also love the redemptive aspects of some of the minor characters who teach that it is never too late to live a better life if we just keep trying. I cant wait until my grandsons are old enough to enjoy this story that is told in such a way that it really grabs your attention from the first chapter all the way through to the last.

i will thank you mr roger

Because sharing part of your life, i would like before some great legend novel reading experience but not disturbing my heart. but i will read to your find sagrado novel i am fully disturbed ...i will change my life style .....

This book pays homage to Richard Bradford's Red Sky at Morning. It is well written with well-developed characters that the reader (whether a teen or older) can identify with. It is important for teenagers who read this to remember that it is fiction and that they should not attempt the same things as Shane, the main character in this story. While it is slightly unrealistic that a runaway would bother with enrolling in school, the characters he befriends add elements to the story that teens can identify with. Also, the fact that it is set in 1971, a time when most of today's teens' parents were born, will open the door for discussions about the drug and alcohol use and sexual themes that are part of this story and will show teen readers that their parents do understand what they deal with in today's world. Overall, this is a good and enjoyable story of a teen finding himself in a world of confusion.

Amazing story that makes you find it difficult to put the book down. It is very easy to read and although it is a book about the adventurous trip of a teenager in search of his own life after his fathers death, following the steps of the characters in his favorite book, me , as an adult, couldnt stop reading it because the book takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions. You can feel identified with all Shane, the main character, goes through to confront his own demons after his loss in an adventure full of ingredients such as friendship, family, love, generosity and bonds. It makes you remember your own feelings as a teenager and takes you back to those magical times. I highly recommend the book to teenagers and adults.

Roger E. Carriers Finding Sagrado centers around a 16-year-old Shane who decides to leave home in pursuit of a fictional New Mexico town he read about in a book. He feels unwanted by his stepmother after his father is killed in Vietnam and so he hits the road starting from Michigan. He meets a colorful cast of strangers on the busses and various cities he stops by and learns something valuable about life from each encounter. Carriers voice is similar to Salingers, portraying the confusion and loss of identity of youth, but the earnestness to discover it. This is achieved through travel and following Shanes misbegotten dream of Sagrado, the fictional South-Western sun-soaked town. The story is set in the early 1970s, a time reeling from the Vietnam War. The USAs usual moral righteousness after WW2 and Korea has been replaced with doubt and outrage mirroring Shanes personality. Perhaps Shanes journey wont end the same way as Vietnam did, perhaps there is hope left for Shane, the embodiment of Americas youth. One only needs to step onboard with Shane as he travels down south to a town that doesnt exist. It doesnt look hopeful.

Shane Russell is suffering from the lost of his Father, and its bringing up old feeling of abandonment from the death of his mother years earlier. In his effort to deal with his pain, he starts on a journey to recreate the tales in his favorite novel Red Sky at Morning. He leaves his life of comfort and travels to a New Mexico town searching for some sense of belonging. Along the way he meets a cast of characters Sam the former professor who was now a homeless person and an older widow named Lillian. They share their wisdom and he carries them on his journey to find a new life.

As he makes a life in his version of Sagrado he is determined to recreate as many scenes from the novel as possible. From his artistic encounters with Ellen to his Relationship with Sandra. He even finds some unlikely relationships like the one with Birdie and the up and down relationship with Connor. He soon starts to enjoy his new life and lets that heal his pain.

The author did a great job of weaving the tales of the two stories together.The dynamic brought an unusual twist and I found myself wanting more. But ultimately his journey helped him to grow into a man and make peace with his family and with the loss he has suffered.

This epic story about youth, redemption, and sexual coming of age in New Mexico has quickly found its way to my heart, and has stayed there ever since. I'm so glad I've decided to read it, and would recomend everyone to read it.

I just finished reading Finding Sagrado. This book brought me back to all those emotions I had when I lost my father and the grief and depression that followed. Shane portrays every person that has lost someone really close to them and the struggle to move on with life. Shane uses his memories of his parents as a blue print to a new life when he "runs away" from his grief towards the idea of something better (Sagrado). As younger people tend to daydream, Shane takes action in his struggle to break free of the overwhelming sadness. As a combat veteran, I can relate with his desire to start somewhere fresh and free from feeling like an outcast. An awesome emotion filled book!!! 2 thumbs up!!

I love this book. Amazing thing about it is that Shane helps so many people not even knowing that he did. He helps them defeat greatest villain in this book, as well as in real life- grief. So many people dwell on their mistakes or misfortune. Shane is so different from them. He changed so many lifes.

This is not my usual genre, I'm more of a science fiction person. So it said quite a bit when I found myself staying up late at night just to read a few more chapters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are very well done, most likeable, some not so much. Shane struck out on his own after living in an uncomfortable family situation. He went in search of his dreams in Sagrado, a non-existent town in New Mexico. He met some colorful and heartwarming characters along the way to becoming an adult. He helped shape their characters as well as his own. A book to put on your "To Read" list.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It shows that we need to believe in something, even if that is a dream based on a book. We need to learn how to live with our grief, in order to be happy. This book has a soul, it`s just that good.

"Each morning I blink three times to kill three deamons. What if, I wish, and it's not fair". Gosh, how much power there is in those words. What strength of character is needed to think like Franco in his situation? We tend to dwell on our trouble. Those deamons eat us up. But Roger has shown us how to emerge victorious fighting with them. Thanks Roger.

It will be hard to find a book I'll love as much as I loved this one. This book has everything I look for in the book. Romace, slight mystery, anticipation. Loved this book so much and I know everyone would if they gave it a chance.

Young adults will enjoy this tale of a 17-year old boy who is unhappy with reality and decides to live the events in his favorite book, Red Sky at Morning (by Richard Bradford). After his father dies and his stepmother takes up with a new lover, Shane travels from Michigan to New Mexico, where Las Cruces becomes his Sagrado. His life becomes intertwined with the lives of other people who are also dealing with loss. Once a nave teenager, Shane soon learns about motorcycles, alcohol, and love, and in the Land of Enchantment, he finally finds his real life, along with healing and reconciliation. Carrier's striking characters are perhaps too quick to trust, to enter into relationships and bestow gifts; nevertheless, the fast pace and surprising coincidences will keep readers wondering what could possibly happen next.

This Amazing well written book was such an ispiration for me and my family. After reading it I've convinced my mother and brother to read it. We lost our father to war. We used to dread over this. This book showed us how to deal with that great loss. I am so grateful to Roger for writing this book.

Shane Russell is a high school kid that is orphaned when both his parents die a few years apart from one another. After his father was killed in Vietnam he lives with his stepmom and half-brother not really knowing where he fits in. When his stepmom starts dating right after his dad dies he gets angry and decides to run away. Shane is a smart guy so he comes up with nearly flawless plan to go on a solo journey to New Mexico in search of Sagrado, a fictional town from a book he read in English class. The people he meets along the way help him realize that all people not just teenagers struggle and suffer regardless of upbringing, education, religion, income, or circumstances. The book is fun to read and full or real life stuff and lots of adventure to keep your attention.