40 pages • 1 hour read
Falling Over Sideways
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Book Brief
272
Novel • Fiction
Contemporary
2016
Middle grade
10-14 years
860L
Super Short Summary
Falling Over Sideways by Jordan Sonnenblick follows 14-year-old Claire Goldsmith as she navigates the challenges of her eighth-grade year, including bullying, dance school setbacks, and the emotional turmoil after her father suffers a stroke. Claire's journey is one of personal growth, resilience, and learning to support her father through his rehabilitation while finding strength and hope in the process. The novel includes themes of trauma and depression.
Emotional
Heartwarming
Inspirational
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
6,760 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Falling Over Sideways by Jordan Sonnenblick receives praise for its authentic voice and relatable adolescent struggles, vividly capturing the protagonist's emotional journey. Critics commend its humor and heartfelt moments, but some feel secondary characters lack depth. Overall, it's an engaging and poignant read for both teens and adults.
Who Should Read Falling Over Sideways?
A reader who would enjoy Falling Over Sideways by Jordan Sonnenblick is typically a middle-grade student (ages 10-14) who appreciates realistic fiction that deals with family dynamics, personal growth, and humor. This novel would appeal to fans of R.J. Palacio’s Wonder and Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me due to its engaging narrative and relatable characters.
6,760 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
272
Novel • Fiction
Contemporary
2016
Middle grade
10-14 years
860L
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