Leap

January 8, 2007
This sensitively wrought novel about growing pains shows how two sixth-graders in Flushing, Queens, rekindle an old friendship after a devastating accident. Through alternating viewpoints, Zalben (Hey, Mama Goose
) offers an up-close, honest portrayal of her two main characters: Daniel, who is left partially paralyzed after having an allergic reaction to anesthesia, and Krista, who used to be close to Daniel but now is preoccupied with getting Daniel's best friend, Bobby, to notice her. As the story unfolds, the children's individual conflicts come to light. Daniel, once a champion swimmer, is frustrated with his slow progress in recovering the use of his legs and is distraught by his parents' bitterness towards Bobby's father (the dentist "responsible" for Daniel's paralysis). Family tensions go from bad to worse when Daniel's mother leaves the family to pursue her music dreams. Meanwhile, Krista experiences her own share of anger and dismay as she observes the blossoming romance between Bobby and another classmate, Lainie. As Daniel and Krista struggle to come to terms with changes in their lives, they find themselves drawn together. Krista agrees to help Daniel relearn how to swim and the two of them team up to work on a science project centered on a tadpole. The tadpole's metamorphosis neatly mirrors the children's internal growth as they come to terms with their losses and move forward. Eloquently expressing the power of hope and friendship, this story delivers an inspiring message. Ages 10-up.

February 1, 2007
Gr 6-8-Daniel Rosen is paralyzed after a reaction to anesthesia for dental surgery, and he must learn to walk, run, and, most heart-wrenchingly for him, swim all over again. For added emotional tension, the doctor who completes the surgery is the father of his friend Bobby Kaufman. His former best friend, Krista Harris, is in love with Bobby, but Bobby is heavily in like with the sixth grade's own celebrity, Lainie Michaels. Zalben attempts to focus readers on the not-quite-over friendship between Daniel and Krista while also detailing the difficulties of Daniel's recovery, from using a walker to, potentially, competing at a swim meet. Each of the main characters also has internal family drama, including Daniel's mother, who leaves to find herself before her son is fully recovered. The author starts with a shaky, unclear premise and attempts far too much in this fairly short novel. What happened to Daniel and why and the prognosis for his recovery is not clearly explained to him, his friends, or readers. Also, these kids have more well-thought-out and expressed emotions than most seventh or eighth graders, much less sixth graders. The book has many strengths, particularly the characterizations of the parents, but as a whole it just doesn't come together."Sarah Krygier, Solano County Library, Fairfield, CA"

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