FEAR OF FALLING by Hannah R. Goodman
READ THIS BOOK. For readers unfamiliar with Hannah R. Goodman's first two Young Adult novels featuring Maddie Hickman: My Sister's Wedding, and My Summer Vacation, read those two award winners in that order, then READ THIS BOOK.
If there is a fear of falling, just jump. Advice from Maddie's grandmother, Bubbie.
In her third installment, Maddie, now a high school junior nursing grief, hides from life in the school newspaper office where, as the editor, she can immerse herself in the work. When the paper is under control she lingers there writing sad verse. In so doing, Maddie minimizes anxiety attacks and limits her social interactions until she receives an anonymous letter from a gay student who has been threatened.
Although any of Goodman's novels are stand-alone readable, and they're all good, reading them in order lets us in on the realistic fashion in which Maddie grows, and the continuity of her story throughout the three (so far) novels. Maddie's development, and that of her friends, is reminiscent of the two steps forward one step back, tentative way we proceeded through our teen years, and sometimes during adulthood, as well.
Goodman is also masterful at moving the plot, using active language to engage readers and keep them turning the pages. There is an element of mystery in this story - Who is the anonymous letter writer? Who is the jock who hit him? - that raises it above the already award-winning level of the previous two books. Clues are inserted throughout and there is an interesting, perhaps unexpected, yet ultimately satisfying twist when all is revealed.
Good books often refer to other literary works from the Bible to Shakespeare, as well as more current fare. A few such references appear in Fear of Falling, the prominent one during an English Lit class discussion of J. D. Salinger's The Catcher In the Rye. As is often the case, the reader's enjoyment is not diminished for not knowing the reference. However, enjoyment and understanding are often enhanced when the cited work is familiar. This story also gives a nod to Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which includes an anonymous letter writer and a gay student, and itself pays homage to The Catcher In the Rye.
In further applause for the realistic handling of teen angst, readers will appreciate the opportunity for Maddie to work through the grief that began in the previous novel. As grief is a long process, most of us know that it does not pass with the end of one's summer vacation. Kudos to Goodman for seamlessly weaving that aspect of Maddie's earlier experience into her current story, and in fact, for making this story's events the catalyst for Maddie to view the previous tragedy in the light of truth.
Seriously, read this book.
Fear of Falling by Hannah R. Goodman is available at http://www.amazon.com/ where shortly this review will also appear.
If there is a fear of falling, just jump. Advice from Maddie's grandmother, Bubbie.
In her third installment, Maddie, now a high school junior nursing grief, hides from life in the school newspaper office where, as the editor, she can immerse herself in the work. When the paper is under control she lingers there writing sad verse. In so doing, Maddie minimizes anxiety attacks and limits her social interactions until she receives an anonymous letter from a gay student who has been threatened.
Although any of Goodman's novels are stand-alone readable, and they're all good, reading them in order lets us in on the realistic fashion in which Maddie grows, and the continuity of her story throughout the three (so far) novels. Maddie's development, and that of her friends, is reminiscent of the two steps forward one step back, tentative way we proceeded through our teen years, and sometimes during adulthood, as well.
Goodman is also masterful at moving the plot, using active language to engage readers and keep them turning the pages. There is an element of mystery in this story - Who is the anonymous letter writer? Who is the jock who hit him? - that raises it above the already award-winning level of the previous two books. Clues are inserted throughout and there is an interesting, perhaps unexpected, yet ultimately satisfying twist when all is revealed.
Good books often refer to other literary works from the Bible to Shakespeare, as well as more current fare. A few such references appear in Fear of Falling, the prominent one during an English Lit class discussion of J. D. Salinger's The Catcher In the Rye. As is often the case, the reader's enjoyment is not diminished for not knowing the reference. However, enjoyment and understanding are often enhanced when the cited work is familiar. This story also gives a nod to Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which includes an anonymous letter writer and a gay student, and itself pays homage to The Catcher In the Rye.
In further applause for the realistic handling of teen angst, readers will appreciate the opportunity for Maddie to work through the grief that began in the previous novel. As grief is a long process, most of us know that it does not pass with the end of one's summer vacation. Kudos to Goodman for seamlessly weaving that aspect of Maddie's earlier experience into her current story, and in fact, for making this story's events the catalyst for Maddie to view the previous tragedy in the light of truth.
Seriously, read this book.
Fear of Falling by Hannah R. Goodman is available at http://www.amazon.com/ where shortly this review will also appear.
posted by Joanne Carnevale | 3:44 PM
1 Comments:
Joanne you are a masterful reviewer and should consider doing it for a profession. Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
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