Review: The Girl Who Fell from the Sky, by Heidi W. Durrow

Author: Heidi W. Durrow

Audience: Teen /Adult

First Impression:
It took a couple sections to get the hang of how Durrow was laying out the story, but that in no way detracted from the content. For a first novel, The Girl Who Fell From the Sky is top-notch, and an excellent read for young people who are questioning who they are.

Plot/Style/Voice/Characters:
Tragedy has uprooted young Rachel from her home in Chicago. She's struggling to learn the 'new' ways of her Grandmother, Aunt, her surroundings, and herself. I couldn't help but feel for this poor girl and all she was going through.

Heidi W. Durrow's voice and style through the novel are simple, making the poignant content easy to grasp and envision in daily life. Bi-racial or not, any reader looking at themselves as the world views them and they view themselves will be touched by Rachel and her family. I also enjoyed the way the story came together through the fragments told by others who had been touched by Rachel and her family. Excellent characters contained within this novel!

Best Part:
You know, I cannot really choose a 'best part' of this story. I found it to be touching and penetrating from beginning to end.

Irritations:
Reality was evident throughout this novel, and there were times I struggled with my own inner thoughts and opinions. I wasn't irritated with the novel, so much as with myself. Deep down, we are all viewed by our outward shells alone...and the color of our skin.

Wrap-Up Reaction:
Don't pick up The Girl Who Fell From the Sky just to read a story about a bi-racial girl. Pick up the book to learn about yourself, your friends, your neighbors, and who you are beneath the covering you walk each day within. There is more than meets the eye, and we all carry blue bottles inside ourselves where we contain the hurt we feel. The Girl Who Fell From the Sky is an excellent read...well worth the time!