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Dodi B. (Saratoga, CA)
An inconsistent flight.
Well written but sometimes difficult to follow. The story proceeds in a somewhat jerky fashion but all comes together later in the book. My interest was caught at times but soon waned and the book lay untouched for a time. It does express well the identity problems of a mixed race young person and that part I found touching. I was less willing to follow the "mystery" of who did what to whom and when.
Paul R. (Albuquerque, NM)
The Girl Who Feel From The Sky
I like this book because of Rachel's point of view. Half black and half white, she doesn't really fit in with either blacks or whites – but this gives her a unique perspective. At the beginning of the book, Rachel is only eleven; by the end of the book, she is in her late teens, ready to leave home and make her own decisions. The author doesn't tell you that Rachel is growing up, she shows you, chapter by chapter, that Rachel is growing up. You watch it happening – this is quite an achievement! I also liked the way the author leads you, in the course of the book, to some understanding of the reasons behind what
…more Rachel's mother did to her. Initially, you are horrified by what she has done and it seems incomprehensible. But by the end of the book, you can feel some sympathy for Rachel's mother. (less)The Girl Who Fell from the Sky is an interesting read. Durrow creates compelling characters readers want to learn more about, and she pulls readers in by having the chapters focus on different characters. Although things tie up a little too neatly in the end, I found this to be an enjoyable read and will look for more books by this author.
Catie N. (Aurora, CO)
The Girl Who Fell From the Sky
The story of Rachel, daughter of a black GI and a Danish mother, and her family revolves around a bizarre tragedy that happens near the beginning of the book. Don't be put off by the quick reveal of that, though, because the the rest of the book is a slow unfolding of the "why" and the events leading up to that tragedy from the viewpoint of Rachel; Jamie/Brick, who is a witness to what happened; Rachel's mother's supervisor; and Rachel's father. Very different perspectives from each narrator adds a richness to the story, and the mystery of "why" isn't solved until the very end of the book. The author deals with
…more themes of race, alcoholism, love, and forgiveness, among others, which brings me to my only complaint about the book: too many issues and too many plot points. But overall, an original story and a good read. (less)Heidi Durrow explores the issues of identity, race and family in this eloquently written novel. Rachel Morse survives a family tragedy and is forced to examine her identity when she moves to Portland to live with her African American grandmother. Is she white? Is she black? We might not think it matters, but it does, as this novel makes so perfectly clear. Rachel is a smart, gutsy, self-aware girl who comes of age through the course of the novel. The issues raised in this book are particularly relevant in our multicultural society. But the issues don’t get in the way of the story in this deserved winner of the
…more Bellwether Prize. The engaging narrative and characters make it an excellent choice for young adults as well. (less)The author packs a lot into this short book, touching on issues related to identity and racism and showing what it means to grow up and continue on in the wake of tragedy. The author's use of language and shifting points of view are very effective. The book would lend itself to an interesting discussion in book clubs and might be of interest to young adult readers. However, some might find that the book covers well-trod ground and contains characters that border on stereotype.
Susan O. (Tiburon, CA)
Girl Who Fell from the Sky lands.........
Heidi Durrow has written a compelling coming of age story. Rachel had not had a "typical" childhood, living overseas on military bases with her African American father and her Scandinavian mother. The story is told through the voices of many people who are closely related to the couple, but it was often difficult to follow since there was no established chronology . This reader does feel a kinship with Rachel, but the author doesn't really "finish" her to my satisfaction. It is an interesting premise with a lot of potential. I do think it could open up interesting discussion.
Jane R. (Plantation, FL)
Mixed Review
The Girl Who Fell from the Sky is well written, but quick read. The write up on the book cover would lead you to believe that the book focuses on race and the difficulties of a mixed race girl moving from a mostly white society to a mostly black one. It seemed to me that Rachel made the racial transition quite easily and that race was not a major issue in the book at all. It was more about Rachel's adjustment to being orphaned and not really belonging to anyone.
