Carpool Diem

by: Nancy Star

Published by: 5 Spot (March release)

Reviewed by Yuka Mizushima

Annie thought she had a nearly perfect life. She enjoys her job as corporate executive, and has a loving husband and a wonderful daughter. It’s true that her job has her traveling a lot and the family hasn’t had a sit-down dinner in ages. Annie’s solution is keeping the lines of communication open with To Do and Not To Do lists.

When Annie is suddenly fired, she becomes a stay-at-home mom. She realizes that her family needs her help. Tim, her husband, has become the Chief Financial Officer for his brother’s company. Instead of being happy, Tim is traveling a lot and starting to act distant and mysterious. Charlotte, their daughter, is interested in joining the soccer team. Charlotte is quite good and enjoys playing for the B-rated Asteroids. Now that Annie is spending more time at home, she’s determined to help her family achieve their potential.

Winslow West is the coach of the Power, the elite local soccer squad, Winslow has big dreams, i.e., an Olympic gold medal, and he trains his eleven- and twelve-year-olds accordingly. His monthly bulletins (which are hilarious) outline the daily training schedule, and players are reminded to keep eating and conversation at a minimum on game day. Winslow is about to find out that no one is more determined than a soccer parent who wants her child to play for the best team in town.

Carpool Diem does a great job of exploring motherhood and the mother-daughter relationship. Like most moms, Annie is striving to be Super Mom–to excel in the workforce and on the home front. It takes a lot of energy and planning to make everyone happy, and things don’t always work out as planned. Annie realizes that being a stay-at-home mom is even busier. She’s trying to work from home, juggle the household duties and spend time with Charlotte and Tim. Eventually Annie learns to prioritize and do what’s right for her and what works for her family.

Armchair Interviews says, Score! Carpool Diem has the winning combination of humor and heart.