No Place to Fall

Reviewed by: Phyllis Fuchs - Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 4, 2015

Review

The dust jacket with its bright red heart and the words: "A girl. A dream. A choice." written below it suggests that this is a romantic story, while the words neatly summarize the story's plot. Sixteen year old Amber is the girl, to use her amazing singing voice before large crowds her dream, and to stay or leave home to attend an arts school her choice. The book's setting is rural, a small town in the mountains of western North Carolina where part of the Appalachian Trail is located. Type size is generous and the chapters are short making for easy reading of the 350 pages of text. Descriptions, noticeably of Amber singing accompanied by banjo or guitar as well as the beauty of the mountain views and countryside, shine in this first novel written by a high school teacher. Buyers and readers do need, however, to be aware of the occasional rough dialogue that includes four letter words and the inclusion of underaged drinking, pot-infused butter in brownies, and first-time sex. As the story unfolds, Amber and her mother both grow and change so that before the book's end Amber is able to choose where her future lies next with confidence. High school aged girls and adults too, both parents and teachers especially, will find insightful the sometimes shocking, funny, or poignant reminders of the enormous amount of choices that confront high schoolers daily. Recommended.

Overall Book Score: very good