Leap of Faith (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "School had been in session for two weeks on the Tuesday morning my parents shoved me through the principal's door at St. Catherine's..." (more)
Key Phrases: spring play, Father Micah, Christmas Cookie, Christmas Wish (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Abigail has been kicked out of sixth grade for attacking the principal's son with a knife. That leaves her with only a few schooling options, and her parents pick Catholic school. Angry that no one seems interested in how bullying pushed her to the assault, Abigail thinks she'll teach her workaholic, nonreligious parents a lesson by feigning interest in Catholicism. Predictably, Abigail starts to find her religious studies intriguing, yet even she is not sure what she really believes or how much of a commitment she's ready to make to faith. This works well as a depiction of a child's one-step forward, one-step back approach to religion. But where Abigail comes across as a real kid, opening herself to new and somewhat scary ideas, her parents are strictly one-dimensional, stereotypical to the point of unbelievability in their pursuit of job status. Other supporting characters, including the school priest and Abigail's potential godmother, are more rounded, though also out of central casting. Despite the book's pat ending, this is meaty for a middle-grade novel and may lead readers to think about what they believe. Cooper, Ilene

Product Description

Abigail is starting a new middle school, a Catholic school, because she’s been expelled from her old one. She’s sure that this place will be just the same as the last, and no one will listen to her here either. Even her parents don’t seem able to really hear the truth about what happened at the previous school. But now she finds herself in a community of people who do listen, who want to be her friends, and who help her discover a talent for theater that she never knew she had. Converting to Catholicism began merely as a way to annoy her parents, but quickly it becomes more. Could she be developing real faith?

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley masterfully tells the tale of Abigail’s spiritual journey and the faith that comes to those who need it.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Dial (July 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803731272
• ISBN-13: 978-0803731271
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #122,151 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Leap Worth Making, January 27, 2008

By	Little Willow (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

After what her parents call "the accident," sixth-grader and previously good student Abby was expelled from her previous school. Left with three choices (the county alternative school, private school, or being homeschooled), she ends up at St. Catherine's, a private Catholic school. Her family isn't very religious, but beggars can't be choosers. She has to go somewhere, so there she goes.

Abby refuses to talk to anyone about the incident. This is partially because she's a private person, and partially because she thinks she doesn't have anyone to talk to about it. She likes being angry, claiming that the emotion gives her energy and power. Meanwhile, her parents would rather not discuss anything upsetting, so whenever Abby's expulsion comes up in what little conversation they have, they dance around the subject.

Like the incidents in Just Listen by Sarah Dessen or Sweethearts by Sara Zarr, "the accident" (and the truth behind it) is revealed in bits and pieces throughout the book. Similar to the revelation in Laurie Halse Anderson's novel Speak, this isn't just about what happened to Abby or how she reacted, but when she choses to talk about it and the person she chooses to be her confidant. (Note that this book is for a younger audience than the aforementioned titles, but can still be enjoyed by teens and adults.)

Leap of Faith by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is about acceptance, survival, and forgiveness. It is also about trust and about belief - in yourself, in the truth, in other people. It is possible to have a strong sense of faith without necessarily being religious. Thanks to her new friend Chris, his mother, and newfound faith in herself, Abby finds her way and proves that she is a survivor.

This book was chosen as a finalist in the Middle Grade category of the 2007 Cybils Awards. I also placed it on my Best Books of 2007 list. I encourage kids and adults alike to read this book, then talk about what caused Abby's expulsion and what to do if something similar happens to them.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful read!, September 9, 2007

By	Em (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Even though the book is considered realistic fiction, the mystery of the incident between Brett and Abby remains untold until the end of the story which helps build suspense. The reader also becomes emotionally involved, feeling Abby's frustration with her "absent" parents. Humor is interspersed throughout the book along with interesting observations of the Catholic faith. Overall, an uplifting story of self-discovery, forgiveness, and faith. Great for a reader of any or no religion!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling and Unique, February 20, 2008

By	L. K. Messner "Kate Messner" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm so, so glad I read this book. Leap of Faith stands out for a few reasons. It deals with religion, which isn't often tackled in MG literature without being overly preachy, or on the other side of the coin, overly cynical. Leap of Faith strikes a perfect balance with a story that it funny, real, hopeful, and uplifting without ever feeling contrived. It's fun to read and kid-friendly, too -- a great, great book.