The Divorce Express

Paula Danziger’s young adult novel The Divorce Express follows ninth-grader Phoebe Brooks, who has just moved from New York City to rural Woodstock, NY after her parents' divorce. Phoebe struggles to come to terms with her new life, shuttling back and forth on a bus deemed the Divorce Express because it so frequently carries children visiting one of their divorced parents in New York City. As she struggles with her new family, Phoebe finds herself involved in the civic life of her high school in Woodstock, which opens her up to new possibilities for growth.

Phoebe Brooks's parents have just divorced. In the ninth grade, she now finds herself living outside New York City, which had always been her home. Phoebe lives with her father in Woodstock, NY most of the time, visiting her mother on weekends. Coming to a new high school is challenging enough, without the trauma and confusion of divorce.

Phoebe's father has moved to Woodstock to pursue a career as a painter. He left his good job in the city, and his wife, behind. Phoebe is intrigued by her new surroundings. In Woodstock, everyone is a political activist with a cause. Healthy eating, animal rights, nuclear power—all of these things litter the backs of cars in Phoebe's new hometown. Soon after arriving in Woodstock, she finds herself entrenched in her own protest at the local high school.



At Woodstock High School, a protest has broken out over the quality of cafeteria food. Phoebe finds herself part of the protest, and later, a leader in the committee students have formed to improve the food quality. She believes that many of her fellow students are inspired by their politically active parents, who often fight for good causes, such as promoting renewable energy.

Phoebe regularly takes a bus known locally as the Divorce Express to go visit her mother in New York City. On the bus, she meets her new best friend, a girl whose parents have also split up. Her mother lives in Woodstock, and her dad lives in the city. Phoebe and her new friend bond over their shared experience, finding solace in each other. Soon, Phoebe's dad meets her best friend's mom; they hit it off and begin a relationship.

Phoebe is much more accepting of her father's relationship than her mother's new boyfriend. The man is incredibly rich, but Phoebe finds him creepy and off-putting. Despite his bad behavior, Phoebe's mother seems to think they are a good match—Phoebe is shocked when he proposes marriage and her mother accepts. Phoebe talks to her father about her distaste for her soon-to-be-step-father, coming up with her own nugget of wisdom. She realizes that in situations where she has no control, she has to find ways to make a situation work for her, to make the best of it, in order to get through.



The novel ends on a happy note, with Phoebe acclimating well to life in Woodstock with her father, best friend, and best friend's mom. Phoebe also finds herself a kind-hearted boyfriend who is also “a good kisser,” solidifying for her that joy can come from even the most difficult changes.

Paula Danziger was a prolific young adult and children's author, writing more than 30 books over the course of her career. Born in Washington D.C., she spent most of her life in New York City. Her debut novel, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit, won a number of state book awards for children's literature. Known for the Amber Brown series and the Matthew Martin series, she also wrote two books following Rosie and Phoebe, the main characters in The Divorce Express; the sequel is It's an Aardvark-Eat-Turtle World. Danziger died suddenly in 2004 from the complications of a heart attack. She is buried in Woodstock, NY.