A Step Toward Falling – October 6, 2015

A Step Toward Falling Hardcover – October 6, 2015
Author: Cammie McGovern ID: 006227113X

Review

“Praise for A STEP TOWARD FALLING: Without evading or sugarcoating difficult topics, McGovern shows that disabled and able aren’t binary states but part of a continuum—a human one.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“Told in alternating sections of Emily’s and Belinda’s voices, this book explores how even good people can fail morally. Belinda is written thoughtfully and respectfully. She has a distinct voice that reflects her cognitive disabilities but without condescension. Highly recommended for realistic fiction collections.” (School Library Journal (starred review))

“Through alternating chapters, Emily comes to understand her inaction, prejudices, and failings, and Belinda learns to face her fears, find her voice, and take charge of her future. McGovern’s ample experience with special needs youth is evident, as it allows this unique story shine from within.” (ALA Booklist (starred review))

“Alternating viewpoints illustrate how braving the uncertainty of relationships, expectations, and life after high school transcends class or ability. The sensitive overview of tough issues gracefully balances romance with reality. Fans of Jane Austen will appreciate this unconventional homage.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Belinda’s voice is perfectly pitched: it’s clear that she’s thought her world through on her own terms. By including a wide variety of distinct characters, the novel shows that the presence or absence of a disability is just one of many aspects of who a person is.” (The Horn Book)

“So much love for this wise and powerful book. Most of all for Belinda—a girl with a cognitive disability who shows how full a life can be, and who loves Pride and Prejudice and Colin Firth as much as we do. For fans of Jennifer Niven and Jandy Nelson.” (Justine Magazine)

“This book might lead to an interesting discussion about responsibility, about standing up for someone, about doing the right thing.” (Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA))

McGovern uses her experience working with youth with special needs to illuminate the everyday thought processes and internal lives of young adults who function differently in society. She gives readers characters, not archetypes. It’s a poignant, warm, compelling book that insists that mistakes and redemption can go hand in hand. (The Globe and Mail)

Praise for SAY WHAT YOU WILL:“This is a book to read, savor, and pass on and on until it has gone around the world twice.” (Ron Koertge, author of Stoner & Spaz)

“A unique and unforgettable love.” (Teen Vogue)

“Exhilarating and heartrending.This novel is stunning.” (ALA Booklist (starred review))

“Readers will be surprised, moved, amused, worried, hopeful, and grateful.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“McGovern’s triumph is how well she normalizes and highlights the variety of disability experiences among teens and their often circuitous journeys toward claiming their voices and right to self-determination. Ultimately, a deeply engaging and rewarding story.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“A beautifully written story about two teens who find each other in spite of what might seem like insurmountable problems.” (Examiner.com (5 star review))

“It’s a little bit ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower,’ a little bit ‘Eleanor & Park’ and a lot of something else entirely. A young adult book with grown-up lessons.” (Metro US)

“Wonder meets Eleanor and Park in this authentic romance with beautifully crafted characters.” (IndieBound.org)

From the Back Cover

Sometimes one mistake can change everything.
Emily doesn't know why she froze. Or why Lucas did too. Afterward, she thought of different ways to rationalize it. But the truth is, they could have helped Belinda, and they didn't. It's a mistake they'll both have to live with.

Sometimes doing nothing is the only way to cope.
Belinda doesn't want to talk about what happened. Because when she does, it feels like it's happening all over again.

Sometimes good can come from bad.
Emily and Lucas's punishment is community service at a center for people with disabilities. People like Belinda. Soon they feel like maybe they're starting to make a real difference. Like they would be able to do the right thing if they could do that night all over again. Like they could help not only those at the center but also each other.

But when Belinda returns to school, Emily and Lucas have to figure out if they can do anything that will actually help the one person they hurt most.

See all Editorial Reviews

Hardcover: 368 pagesPublisher: HarperTeen (October 6, 2015)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 006227113XISBN-13: 978-0062271136 Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.2 x 8.2 inches Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Best Sellers Rank: #77,608 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #16 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Social & Family Issues > Special Needs #62 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Social & Family Issues > Values & Virtues #553 in Books > Teens > Romance > Contemporary
First, I would like to thank HarperTeen for sending me an ARC of this book to review.

Have you read Pride and Prejudice? If you haven’t, then you should. I mention this because it plays an important role in this novel. Not that you have to have read it to understand A Step Toward Falling, but I think Austen’s original title – First Impressions – is particularly relevant here. It’s also a wonderful read.

This is not just about learning to do the right thing. It’s about learning to get to know people. Not judging them by what they look like at a first glance. And it succeeds wonderfully.

I loved this book. I loved all of the parallels to Pride and Prejudice (one of my all-time favorites), I loved the characters, I loved the story, I loved how much diversity there was without it seeming like things were just thrown in for the sake of diversity. It’s a book about people with disabilities. And it’s a book about highschoolers.

A Step Toward Falling poses a very important question. If you saw someone getting attacked, what would you do? Would you freeze up? Would you go fight the attacker? Would you run and get help? I honestly can’t answer this question. I want to say that I would run and get help. But that is what I want to say. Because the reality is this: I would likely be so afraid that I would freeze. And that is what happens with Emily and Lucas here when they see Belinda being attacked. They just freeze up.

The characters are wonderful. Belinda started out as a bit odd. But after a bit, I figured her out. Yes, she’s odd. But it’s part of her charm. It’s part of who she is. Emily and Lucas are so guilt-ridden that they don’t even complain about their punishment for failing to help Belinda.
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