Falling Over Sideways

Falling Over Sideways (2016) is a popular middle-grade novel by Jordan Sonnenblick. The novel tells the story of 14-year-old Claire Goldsmith and the events that unfold during her eighth-grade year after her father has a stroke one morning. Claire must face dance school, bullies, her father’s rehabilitation, and a strange new home life, all while trying not to be, look, or feel “awkward” or “unlucky” in her new grade. The narrative further addresses issues of depression, loneliness, bullying, trauma, coming-of-age, fear, and hope. This study guide references the 2017 Scholastic Inc. paperback edition.

Plot Summary

Claire Goldsmith begins her story at the end: She’s a 14-year-old girl who’s dealing with the fact that her father can’t dance with her at the Dad’s Dance, a long-awaited rite-of-passage at her dance school, Dance Expressions. After the Prologue, Claire backtracks to the beginning, relating how she came to be in the position she’s in during the Prologue. The narrative links back to the Prologue, with the Epilogue fleshing out the Dad’s Dance scene.

Claire begins eighth grade with a feeling of trepidation. Not only does she have to live up to the perfect example her older brother Matthew set when he attended school, she must contend with starting her period, a zit on her nose, bullies, and many other new experiences.