The Girl Who Could Fly (Piper McCloud, #1)

by Victoria Forester

[nitzan_schwarz]

3.5 stars

Originally posted on my blog.

So... story time! I've had this book for years. I read about 70 pages of it, and for some reason put it down. For the life of me I can't remember why, because I can clearly remember enjoying and even laughing at those 70 pages. But I did. If you recall, I've started a Reading Plan this year, and part of it is reading at least one "Old Buy" each month. I chose to kick-start that theme with the Girl Who Could Fly. Sure am glad I did that!

The Girl Who Could Fly is a middle grade story. I don't read many of those, to be honest. This one is one of the better ones out there, I think, though it did have it's short comings. But why talk about the bad when you can start with the good? its funny, it's smart, it makes you think, and the main character Piper is the captivating and unique sort.

She comes up with such interesting questions for a girl her age! And she liked to talk. I can relate - I will carry on a conversation all by myself too, when needed. She's also very optimistic, sees the best in people, compassionate and kind. And she's a natural born leader. And she is, essentially, a child. She doesn't come out as too mature, or anything. She comes across her age. Sometimes, books miss on that bit.

And I definitely think Piper, her way of thinking and behaving were the strongest and best thing about the book. I mean, the goodbye scene made my eyes tear. Tear! And I guess I really loved her parents, too. They appear so strict at first, it's beautiful to see how much they actually love their child.

Lastly, I loved the way the book showed how bad people are not just bad, and good people are not just good, and sometimes good people do bad things, and people who look good are bad, and not everything is as it seems, for better or worse.

Conrad's character is pretty interesting. I like what went down on his front. He's a bullying genius... but really, he's just a love-starved kid. And I especially liked the relationship that he and Piper developed. I am definitely seeing a strong compatibility in this couple. In my mind, I already pictured them getting together as teenagers and her father finding them kissing in the farm and almost having a heart attack and stuff like that. Shut up - I am a romantic. I'm allowed to dream up a romance where there is no specific one! (and daydream)

The world was interesting, with the idea behind the institute - how it dealt with special people. But some parts of it just didn't make a lot of sense. Mostly the science, or why they did some stuff they did. And I couldn't figure out why some of the people who were there... were there. And even when we did get an explanation, like the Good Doctor's, it was just so confused. At the end, I didn't understand the real story there. is her brother even real, or did she make him up to keep up the denial about herself? I thought it was J. but then her entire speech about her brother doesn't coincide with the discovery that she's the one who hurt her sister. And so much more questions!

My biggest issue with the book? all the unanswered questions. It feels like a first installment of a series, instead of a standalone. Backstories are not fully explained, relationships between characters do not come to light, a character pops up at the very end and leaves cryptic messages to the characters that never get solved, and the end definitely gives the impression this is just the start of something. That there is more to the story, or more down the road. But considering the book was published in 2008, I've a feeling we're never going to get those answers. And that grates on my nerves.

However, if you're looking for a book for your young son or daughter to read and enjoy, this one would be a great pick!