The Girl Who Could Fly

It is hard to find even young adult books that are appropriate (No cussing or sex scenes Yeah!)and enjoyed by my daughter and me! We really enjoyed this fun quick read. The characters are lovable or of course hateable. There is enough action to keep your attention and who hasn't dreamed of being able to fly? I told my sisters (around 30 yrs old) about the book and wondered if they would enjoy it as well . . . they did! and now their daughters are reading it too. Would love for a second book with these characters to be written.

My thirteen-year-old started reading later than (used to be) average. I've been trying to find him books that catch his attention so much he can't stop reading. And if they also make him talk or ask questions about the book, so much the better. The Girl Who Could Fly was perfect for this. It is more science fiction than fantasy. The "girl" of the title is a rural child born late and unexpectedly to her parents. They are themselves strict conformists in their community and abashed at what they have given birth to, an otherwise lovely child who can, well, ahem, uh, ... fly. So they tell her to hide her ability so their neighbors won't talk. This part of the book is truly funny and I found myself reading sections of it aloud to my wife. (It is especially nice how easy it is to read this book aloud. The language flows and makes the reader think that the author had it in mind that the book would be read aloud.) After the first few chapters lay the background, there is a slightly awkward transition that changes the book's nature from fantasy to sci-fi. The government steps in and takes the girl away to a special "school". This is not a new idea for most juveniles today; and everyone will expect what happens next as the girl arrives at the not-as-benevolent-as-it-was-described center for people like her. But this familiarity is not damaging. All stories have been told a thousand times; it is the telling that matters. And here the author does not fail us at all. We learn the hearts of all the characters; and we learn it in ways that constantly provoke insightful questions. One reviewer quoted: "CONRAD SILENTLY SEETHED, GETTING MADDER AND MEANER BY THE SECOND. AT THAT MOMENT,HE WAS MEANER AND MADDER THAN HE'D EVER BEEN,BUT MAINLY AT HIMSELF,WHICH IS THE WORST KIND OF MEAN AND MAD TO BE, BECAUSE THE ONLY THING TO DO ABOUT IT IS TO TAKE IT OUT ON SOMEONE ELSE." I shared the same pleasure that reviewer had in the passage. What makes it truly special, though, is that it makes the attentive reader ask himself a question: "Is that how it really is? Is that what I do?" In fact, from beginning to end, such questions arise. They come about naturally and without being threatening; but they lead to personal insight ... and great discussions between parent and child. This is a wonderful book. What I find ironic is that what makes it wonderful is the very thing that made the reviewer for the ALA dislike it. She thought the book "told" too much rather than showing it; but what we are told is the interior confusion and complexity often masked by words and action. What comes out is usually a disguise for what happens within. Perhaps for mature readers, such subtleties are more easily unraveled; perhaps, not. But for new readers (and even readers like myself) there is a delightful sense of discovery and rightness with each new chapter. ---------------------------------------- By the way, if you read and enjoy this book (as did my son), other

For Piper McCloud, learning to fly was the easy part. The real challenge is making friends, staying true to her principles, and surviving an educational system that is literally INSANE. Along the way she must deal with operatic crickets, lead a rebellion of other super-powered students, and protect her naturally buoyant spirit from the dreaded Dr. Hellion. This is a most extraordinary book, full of adventure, unapologetically eccentric and unashamedly hopeful. Its heroine, Piper McCloud, wants to use her special ability to help people -- unfortunately for her, the reality of a flying girl is more than drab Lowland County can handle. When Piper's whisked away to a self-proclaimed school for other super-skilled children, she thinks she's going to learn how to fly like a pro. Too late, she discovers the school's true agenda: to stamp out all traces of specialness in the sacred name of Normality. The author tells her story with a sense of whimsy that is upbeat but also wised-up: Piper is a natural optimist, yet she also pays a price for her eagerness. The humor is balanced with plenty of drama and occasional touches of sadness (the singing cricket is an affecting scene stealer), and characters you'll start missing as soon as you turn the last page. It's a great book for lovers of Madeleine L'Engle and C.S. Lewis. Though it never leaves our world, it gives you the kind of magic you can believe in.

From the very first page, Piper McCloud - The Girl Who Could Fly's kind, straightforward and determined hero - grabbed my attention and never let go. Creating a vivid, detailed and unique world that I could really "see" in my mind as I was reading, the author has crafted a story that has just the right balance of fun, adventure and danger. Let's face it, being a kid isn't always easy, especially when you colour outside the lines. For every girl who's struggled with her own special nature, trying to find her place in the world, Piper shows them that being yourself and sticking to your ideas of what is right, is never the wrong thing to do. A very fun and emotionally engaging read that I would highly recommend.

I HIGHLY recommend this book! I am a big fan of reading that one might consider me a read-aholic. Some of my all time favorite kids books have been Anne of Green Gables, Because of Winn Dixie, A Wrinkle in Time and the Harry Potter Series. The Girl Who Could Fly is a must read for everyone who likes real life meets fantasy books. Like Anne of Green Gables,The Girl Who Could Fly begins in an endearing small town farm community and suddenly takes you into a fantasy world like Harry Potter. With each chapter you are given a very well written and detailed look into a fascinating world never yet described in any other book or film. The story sucks you in and you find yourself not wanting to put the book down. I just fell in love with Piper's kind heart, sense of justice, passion and curiosity. And as I read on, I also fell in love with many of the other characters like Bella, Jasper, Lily and yes, even Conrad. Like Conrad, at times each one of us believes that we are justified in doing what we do....even if what we choose is at someone else's expense. One of my favorite descriptions of Conrad from the book is, "CONRAD SILENTLY SEETHED, GETTING MADDER AND MEANER BY THE SECOND. AT THAT MOMENT,HE WAS MEANER AND MADDER THAN HE'D EVER BEEN,BUT MAINLY AT HIMSELF,WHICH IS THE WORST KIND OF MEAN AND MAD TO BE, BECAUSE THE ONLY THING TO DO ABOUT IT IS TO TAKE IT OUT ON SOMEONE ELSE." There are so many wonderful twists and turns, funny and heartfelt moments and great life lessons that the story and characters still touch me deeply or make me laugh when I think about the book from time to time. I recommend you buy the book and tell all your friends!