"I just love that feeling when things are about to change. Like when you know that in a few seconds you're going to do something and become someone else." --Rosetta to Seth in Freefall
Mindi Scott's Freefall was such a surprise. I read it because it was included as part of The Contemps reading challenge (a challenge to read 21 books by young adult authors that deal with real life issues), and this was one of only two that have been released (most come out in 2011). The book description makes it sound like a simple young adult romance, but it really stands apart from the crowd in the YA contemporary world.
Freefall is the story of Seth and Rosetta, two young people who have experienced terrible losses and are dealing with their grief and feelings of guilt in different, but unhealthy ways. Seth is a wonderful narrator. He's flawed, makes bad decisions, but at his core is a likable, decent guy. He plays music, loves his mom and has made a lot of bad decisions. Rosetta, Seth's new friend and love interest, is equally interesting--she plays golf, moves in a popular social circle and has to lie to cover up her secret. Ultimately, they're ordinary enough kids whose stories are deeply compelling--and I think that's a lot of why I loved it so much.
Also, I have to say a bit about the secondary characters. So often, it feels like the secondary characters in novels, especial in YA, are just backdrop for the main characters' story-lines. However, in Freefall the secondary characters grow and become more intriguing throughout the novel. I really cared about Kendall, Seth's mom, his brother and his bandmates, and that's a credit to Scott's storytelling.
Freefall is beautiful a story about grief, fear, loss, love and finding yourself. I love this book as a 30 year old and would have loved it as a 16 year old as well, and read it in a single sitting. Highly, highly recommended.
(Note: This book does have some drug use, drinking and foul language. It is all in the context of the story and is rendered in a realistic manner. This doesn't bother me, but I know some people are sensitive about that type of thing--especially in titles geared toward teens. However, the main story of the book deals with the aftermath of a death resulting from binge drinking, so my feeling is that this makes it all the more important of a story for young people.)
