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Flyaway
Stevie Calhoun knows how to take care of herself. It’s not like her mom hasn’t disappeared before. So why is Aunt Mindy making such a big deal of it now? It’s not like Mom’s really doing meth. Stevie makes sure of that. Whatever. She’ll go home with Aunt Mindy if it will keep her from calling Child Protective Services—but it doesn’t mean she’ll stay. Mom will come back. Mom always comes back. And Stevie will be there when she does.But when Stevie meets Alan—frustrating and fascinating and so-different-from-everyone-she-knows Alan—and she starts helping out at the bird rehab center, things begin to look different. Even the tutoring and the ridiculous outfits Aunt Mindy’s forcing her into might not be so bad. Not that Stevie would say it out loud. She can’t. Because how can anything be good if it doesn’t include Mom?
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
9 people are currently reading
1424 people want to read
About the author
Helen Landalf
9 books45 followersI am the author of five books for teachers on integrating dance and drama into the classroom and two children's picture books, including the award-winning The Secret Night World of Cats, which was illustrated by my brother, Mark Rimland, an artist with autism. My debut YA novel, FLYAWAY, will be released by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in Fall 2011.
In addition to writing, I teach dance to preschool children and Pilates to adults. I live in Seattle with my husband, Steven, my cat, Sunny, and our dog, Toto. We often share our home with my 16-year-old stepson, Jonathan. My older, stepson, Dane, is in the Air Force and is currently stationed in Korea.
I love to write, of course, and I also enjoy dancing, walking, reading, and going to movies. My favorite movie of all time is "Harold and Maude."
In addition to writing, I teach dance to preschool children and Pilates to adults. I live in Seattle with my husband, Steven, my cat, Sunny, and our dog, Toto. We often share our home with my 16-year-old stepson, Jonathan. My older, stepson, Dane, is in the Air Force and is currently stationed in Korea.
I love to write, of course, and I also enjoy dancing, walking, reading, and going to movies. My favorite movie of all time is "Harold and Maude."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
March 27, 2011
In order to write this book, I volunteered at the bird nursery at PAWS wildlife rehabilitation center, where I learned to feed baby birds with eyedroppers and give them worms using tweezers.
March 20, 2016
3.5 stars
I saw Flyaway for the first time at the library and immediately knew that I had to read it. The beautiful pink cover drew me in right away. The author was nice enough to send me a copy for review, which I am thankful for. After reading it, I have mixed feelings.
Even though I am an adult, I read a lot of young adult books. Sometimes I love them, sometimes I don't. This was a case of the latter. I think that if I would have read this as a teenager, I would have loved it. However, as an adult, and having been through some of the situations that Stevie goes through, I just wanted to shake her, and tell her to get out of the situation she was in because it was going to end in heartbreak.
On the other hand, thinking back to what I was like when I was a teenager, I would have loved this book. It's edgy, and heartbreaking. I almost wish that the teenage version of myself had this book to read, a it would have helped me understand and deal with things to come. It deals with serious issues that a lot of YA books won't touch, which makes it a great, informative read for teens. It portrays things in a realistic light, and doesn't sugar coat anything, which is something that I think teens really need (trying to be vague so I don't spoil things for those that want to read it).
Even though Flyaway wasn't as enjoyable to me as I thought it would be, I think teens could really benefit from reading it. I will definitely be recommending that my local high school libraries add it to their selection of books. I recommend this book to teens from ages thirteen to sixteen.
I saw Flyaway for the first time at the library and immediately knew that I had to read it. The beautiful pink cover drew me in right away. The author was nice enough to send me a copy for review, which I am thankful for. After reading it, I have mixed feelings.
Even though I am an adult, I read a lot of young adult books. Sometimes I love them, sometimes I don't. This was a case of the latter. I think that if I would have read this as a teenager, I would have loved it. However, as an adult, and having been through some of the situations that Stevie goes through, I just wanted to shake her, and tell her to get out of the situation she was in because it was going to end in heartbreak.
On the other hand, thinking back to what I was like when I was a teenager, I would have loved this book. It's edgy, and heartbreaking. I almost wish that the teenage version of myself had this book to read, a it would have helped me understand and deal with things to come. It deals with serious issues that a lot of YA books won't touch, which makes it a great, informative read for teens. It portrays things in a realistic light, and doesn't sugar coat anything, which is something that I think teens really need (trying to be vague so I don't spoil things for those that want to read it).
Even though Flyaway wasn't as enjoyable to me as I thought it would be, I think teens could really benefit from reading it. I will definitely be recommending that my local high school libraries add it to their selection of books. I recommend this book to teens from ages thirteen to sixteen.
January 2, 2012
Another book with a serious subject matter, so of course I loved it. I don't know what it is about issues like this that draw my interest.
So, the main character, Stevie, has a mom who is sort of like a dead beat mom. Her and Stevie are constantly moving and she can't hold down a job. Nothing in Stevies life is stable, but that is all Stevie knows and when things turn bad in her life and she is no longer with her mom that is all she wants. To be with her even though that is the worst thing at the time.
The story starts with Stevies mom being gone for almost 3 days. Leaving Stevie home alone (Stevie is 15). At this time Stevie has also missed a lot of school and isn't too concerned about it-and apparently her mom isn't either.
Stevie is worried where her mom is and is hoping that she is OK. She is trying to talk herself into logical reasons on why her mom hasn't come home, but honestly there is no 'logical' reason why her mom hasn't been home in almost 3 days!
Luckily for Stevie, her Aunt Mindy, who is her moms sister shows up at their apartment and takes Stevie back home with her. Unfortunately Stevie doesn't see it that way.
Since Stevie has only known being with her mom she is very defensive and rebellious about everything that her Aunt Mindy is trying to do for her. She doesn't realize that her Aunt is only trying to help her and make things easier/better for her. But all Stevie wants is her mom.
When Stevie finds out from her Aunt that he mom has been doing drugs and that is why she hasn't been home and why she was acting the way she had been for so long, Stevie is in denial and is very angry at her Aunt for even suggesting such a thing. She refuses to believe what is or was right in front of her. And then when she finds out that her Aunt plans on doing an intervention to get Stevies mom to admit to her problem and agree to go into rehab, Stevie wants nothing to do with it.
Thankfully the intervention works and so while Stevies mom is away at rehab, Stevie is forced to stay with her Aunt. During this time with her Aunt she still remains bitter and angry, but you see through her interactions with her friends that she has changed. You see that what is going on with her mom has actually affected Stevie and that she has actually learned something from it. I really was proud to see this change in her. Even though Stevie was very angry still at her Aunt and in a few of the situations she was in was because she was running away from her Aunt to try and deal with her feelings....in the end she ended up doing the right thing.
When her mom comes home from rehab Stevie is ecstatic and has high hopes that things will be better, that they will be different. Unfortunately that isn't to be and Stevie is forced to face and admit a lot of things that she was in denial about through the whole story.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was great! I always like stories that show the dark side of life. The gritty side that a lot of people do not want to admit exists or that a lot of people refuse to see.
The characters in this book were great also. Stevie was a very well believed character. All of the emotions and thoughts that she had were definitely something I could see someone in her situation having.
Her Aunt was so loving and supportive despite the way Stevie treated her. She was very understanding and never gave up on Stevie.
The side charaters in this story were also well liked. I liked how the author had a bird rehabilitation center in the story because it added a lot to it. There is a lot to read into that and to learn.
I don't think that there was a character in this book that I didn't like a lot or that just didn't make sense. All of the characters made this story well rounded and gave such a big insight into Stevies life.
I am glad that I didn't allow the cover make the decision for me if I was going to read this or not. Honestly, I don't care for the cover, but hey, the story well makes up for that.
So, the main character, Stevie, has a mom who is sort of like a dead beat mom. Her and Stevie are constantly moving and she can't hold down a job. Nothing in Stevies life is stable, but that is all Stevie knows and when things turn bad in her life and she is no longer with her mom that is all she wants. To be with her even though that is the worst thing at the time.
The story starts with Stevies mom being gone for almost 3 days. Leaving Stevie home alone (Stevie is 15). At this time Stevie has also missed a lot of school and isn't too concerned about it-and apparently her mom isn't either.
Stevie is worried where her mom is and is hoping that she is OK. She is trying to talk herself into logical reasons on why her mom hasn't come home, but honestly there is no 'logical' reason why her mom hasn't been home in almost 3 days!
Luckily for Stevie, her Aunt Mindy, who is her moms sister shows up at their apartment and takes Stevie back home with her. Unfortunately Stevie doesn't see it that way.
Since Stevie has only known being with her mom she is very defensive and rebellious about everything that her Aunt Mindy is trying to do for her. She doesn't realize that her Aunt is only trying to help her and make things easier/better for her. But all Stevie wants is her mom.
When Stevie finds out from her Aunt that he mom has been doing drugs and that is why she hasn't been home and why she was acting the way she had been for so long, Stevie is in denial and is very angry at her Aunt for even suggesting such a thing. She refuses to believe what is or was right in front of her. And then when she finds out that her Aunt plans on doing an intervention to get Stevies mom to admit to her problem and agree to go into rehab, Stevie wants nothing to do with it.
Thankfully the intervention works and so while Stevies mom is away at rehab, Stevie is forced to stay with her Aunt. During this time with her Aunt she still remains bitter and angry, but you see through her interactions with her friends that she has changed. You see that what is going on with her mom has actually affected Stevie and that she has actually learned something from it. I really was proud to see this change in her. Even though Stevie was very angry still at her Aunt and in a few of the situations she was in was because she was running away from her Aunt to try and deal with her feelings....in the end she ended up doing the right thing.
When her mom comes home from rehab Stevie is ecstatic and has high hopes that things will be better, that they will be different. Unfortunately that isn't to be and Stevie is forced to face and admit a lot of things that she was in denial about through the whole story.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was great! I always like stories that show the dark side of life. The gritty side that a lot of people do not want to admit exists or that a lot of people refuse to see.
The characters in this book were great also. Stevie was a very well believed character. All of the emotions and thoughts that she had were definitely something I could see someone in her situation having.
Her Aunt was so loving and supportive despite the way Stevie treated her. She was very understanding and never gave up on Stevie.
The side charaters in this story were also well liked. I liked how the author had a bird rehabilitation center in the story because it added a lot to it. There is a lot to read into that and to learn.
I don't think that there was a character in this book that I didn't like a lot or that just didn't make sense. All of the characters made this story well rounded and gave such a big insight into Stevies life.
I am glad that I didn't allow the cover make the decision for me if I was going to read this or not. Honestly, I don't care for the cover, but hey, the story well makes up for that.
July 14, 2014
4.5 stars out of 5, rounded up.
Stevie is used to being independent. Her mom, a dancer at a nightclub, often leaves her home alone. But Stevie doesn't mind. Her mom always does what's best for the two of them. After all, they're all the other has. That is, until her Aunt Mindy pokes her nose into their little family after Stevie's mom doesn't come home, accusing her mother of being a drug addict and threatening to call CPS. To avoid the services, Stevie angrily agrees to stay with Mindy for awhile. She sneaks out one night to try and find her mom, and finds her- with white powder and a straw. Her life spirals out of control, clinging to her sanity only by volunteering alongside her high school's bully at a bird sanctuary and getting tutored by her handsome new teacher. But can she truly let go of the mother and family that she clings to so dearly, and spread her own wings?
----
Wow. Just wow. I am very pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book.
+The characters are extremely well written. I ached for Stevie, I loathed Tonya and Professor. I started out against Aunt Mindy's prodding, but grew to love her in the end. The author was very damn clear about how I should feel, and I think that's a sign of good writing style.
+The text itself was very detailed. I could easily envision myself in the places that Stevie traveled, both good and bad alike.
+There was a romantic interest, but it took the backseat to the mother/daughter story. I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate that after the slew of YA books I've finished with insta-love romances.
-The book was a bit rushed and choppy at parts. I found myself wishing I had a longer, more thorough story.
-I understand that this book is YA, but the language irked me a bit. When you're reading a book about a meth whore stripper and a daughter who's far from innocent, it seems a bit unnecessary to me to use words like "dang" and "flippin'." I think they could have been amped up to "real" swears, or omitted entirely.
+The paperback cover is GORGEOUS. I wouldn't have picked up the hardback copy. But I think the new cover perfectly illustrates the darkness of this story, and I would have definitely picked this up in a store or a library.
----
Overall, this is a dark, gritty tale of the extent of a daughter's love through rough times, and just how hard it can be to let go of a past that meant everything, and a future that will never come to fruition. I could not put this book down, and I recommend it to YA fans and anyone interested in drug/addiction themes. If you liked books such as Cut, Speak, or Mosh Pit, I'd give Flyaway a try. If you want a happy, feel good read, this may not be for you.
Thank you to The Mod Podge Bookshelf and Helen Landalf for my pretty new copy.
Stevie is used to being independent. Her mom, a dancer at a nightclub, often leaves her home alone. But Stevie doesn't mind. Her mom always does what's best for the two of them. After all, they're all the other has. That is, until her Aunt Mindy pokes her nose into their little family after Stevie's mom doesn't come home, accusing her mother of being a drug addict and threatening to call CPS. To avoid the services, Stevie angrily agrees to stay with Mindy for awhile. She sneaks out one night to try and find her mom, and finds her- with white powder and a straw. Her life spirals out of control, clinging to her sanity only by volunteering alongside her high school's bully at a bird sanctuary and getting tutored by her handsome new teacher. But can she truly let go of the mother and family that she clings to so dearly, and spread her own wings?
----
Wow. Just wow. I am very pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book.
+The characters are extremely well written. I ached for Stevie, I loathed Tonya and Professor. I started out against Aunt Mindy's prodding, but grew to love her in the end. The author was very damn clear about how I should feel, and I think that's a sign of good writing style.
+The text itself was very detailed. I could easily envision myself in the places that Stevie traveled, both good and bad alike.
+There was a romantic interest, but it took the backseat to the mother/daughter story. I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate that after the slew of YA books I've finished with insta-love romances.
-The book was a bit rushed and choppy at parts. I found myself wishing I had a longer, more thorough story.
-I understand that this book is YA, but the language irked me a bit. When you're reading a book about a meth whore stripper and a daughter who's far from innocent, it seems a bit unnecessary to me to use words like "dang" and "flippin'." I think they could have been amped up to "real" swears, or omitted entirely.
+The paperback cover is GORGEOUS. I wouldn't have picked up the hardback copy. But I think the new cover perfectly illustrates the darkness of this story, and I would have definitely picked this up in a store or a library.
----
Overall, this is a dark, gritty tale of the extent of a daughter's love through rough times, and just how hard it can be to let go of a past that meant everything, and a future that will never come to fruition. I could not put this book down, and I recommend it to YA fans and anyone interested in drug/addiction themes. If you liked books such as Cut, Speak, or Mosh Pit, I'd give Flyaway a try. If you want a happy, feel good read, this may not be for you.
Thank you to The Mod Podge Bookshelf and Helen Landalf for my pretty new copy.
June 10, 2011
This is one of those books that you read the cover and you really, really want to like it. You want to learn something, you want to be pulled emotionally by the characters involved, you want to root for someone or something. Unfortunately, this book doesn’t deliver any of those things.
Our main character is Stevie, a 15 year old self absorbed brat. Since we are supposed to be feeling something for her (anger at her mom; sympathy; empathy; SOMETHING) it’s unfortunate that the author made her such an unlikeable character. And Stevie isn’t unlikeable because of her circumstances making her a negative person – she’s just self absorbed, naïve and judgmental. She excuses actions of her mother while judging her friends for the same things. She is so self absorbed that she fails to realize other people have their own problems and when she finally does see outside of herself (“Oh, when he’s got it that bad, why should I complain?”) it lasts all of two sentences before she is once again back to herself. She’s hateful to the few people who try and help her and not in the “my life is a mess so I’m being self destructive” way… just the “I’m a brat” way.
My biggest complaint, however, is the inaccurate description of meth addiction and intervention practices. The addiction itself was poorly characterized, the intervention a humorous aside, and the aftermath completely unrealistic. Meth addiction is a horrible, frightening thing, especially for the families affected and to have thrown it in here as a plot device without adequate research or interviews is a disservice to the reader. For the record and despite what Wikipedia might tell you, no one who uses meth would ever say: “Do you want to smoke some crystal?”
ARC Galley
edited to add: oh, oh, oh! I was so upset about the crystal thing that I forgot to mention the whole caged bird cliche. Nevermind. Perhaps its better if I don't...
Our main character is Stevie, a 15 year old self absorbed brat. Since we are supposed to be feeling something for her (anger at her mom; sympathy; empathy; SOMETHING) it’s unfortunate that the author made her such an unlikeable character. And Stevie isn’t unlikeable because of her circumstances making her a negative person – she’s just self absorbed, naïve and judgmental. She excuses actions of her mother while judging her friends for the same things. She is so self absorbed that she fails to realize other people have their own problems and when she finally does see outside of herself (“Oh, when he’s got it that bad, why should I complain?”) it lasts all of two sentences before she is once again back to herself. She’s hateful to the few people who try and help her and not in the “my life is a mess so I’m being self destructive” way… just the “I’m a brat” way.
My biggest complaint, however, is the inaccurate description of meth addiction and intervention practices. The addiction itself was poorly characterized, the intervention a humorous aside, and the aftermath completely unrealistic. Meth addiction is a horrible, frightening thing, especially for the families affected and to have thrown it in here as a plot device without adequate research or interviews is a disservice to the reader. For the record and despite what Wikipedia might tell you, no one who uses meth would ever say: “Do you want to smoke some crystal?”
ARC Galley
edited to add: oh, oh, oh! I was so upset about the crystal thing that I forgot to mention the whole caged bird cliche. Nevermind. Perhaps its better if I don't...
July 7, 2011
Flyaway is a book well worth your time. It has so many important messages hidden in it and lessons to be learned without giving off a preachy feel. Quite the opposite, in fact, I found Flyaway a fun read I couldn’t tear my eyes off.
There’s something about Stevie’s voice that instantly drags you into the story. Although she’s stubborn and can’t see some things that are obvious to the reader—such as Aunt Mindy’s love for her and Alan’s—which made me want to bash my head on something hard at times, there’s no helping loving Stevie and wanting her to get the happy ending she deserves.
Aunt Mindy, the “too perfect” aunt and meddler extraordinaire, seemed to be annoying at first, but right from the start, it was obvious she cared for Stevie, despite the means she used to get Stevie to cooperate. However, I’m surprised that Aunt Mindy only appeared at this point. I would’ve thought she’d been a constant annoying visitor at Stevie’s instead of some distant aunt she resented with her personality. Although Stevie hated Aunt Mindy at first, I loved her all the way.
On The Wing, to me, was the cherry on this cake. I loved how it gave Stevie a chance to meet Alan and see more sides to him. It gave her a refuge from everything that was happening as well. The backstory surrounding On The Wing was also a treat. I loved learning about Alan and his history, which explained everything he did as a “bad boy.”
Even though Flyaway involves crystal meth, it was more about family, love, and learning to let go. The true story is with Stevie and how her relationships evolve as she matures. It’s a beautiful story about a girl who learns who to love and who to trust.
Flyaway will be published on the 19th December 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Keep an eye out!
There’s something about Stevie’s voice that instantly drags you into the story. Although she’s stubborn and can’t see some things that are obvious to the reader—such as Aunt Mindy’s love for her and Alan’s—which made me want to bash my head on something hard at times, there’s no helping loving Stevie and wanting her to get the happy ending she deserves.
Aunt Mindy, the “too perfect” aunt and meddler extraordinaire, seemed to be annoying at first, but right from the start, it was obvious she cared for Stevie, despite the means she used to get Stevie to cooperate. However, I’m surprised that Aunt Mindy only appeared at this point. I would’ve thought she’d been a constant annoying visitor at Stevie’s instead of some distant aunt she resented with her personality. Although Stevie hated Aunt Mindy at first, I loved her all the way.
On The Wing, to me, was the cherry on this cake. I loved how it gave Stevie a chance to meet Alan and see more sides to him. It gave her a refuge from everything that was happening as well. The backstory surrounding On The Wing was also a treat. I loved learning about Alan and his history, which explained everything he did as a “bad boy.”
Even though Flyaway involves crystal meth, it was more about family, love, and learning to let go. The true story is with Stevie and how her relationships evolve as she matures. It’s a beautiful story about a girl who learns who to love and who to trust.
Flyaway will be published on the 19th December 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Keep an eye out!
December 21, 2011
What I love the most about FLYAWAY by Helen Landalf is how authentic the characters are. So many times, authors present readers with caricatures. You have “The Jock,” “The Stoner,” “The Brainiac” etc. FLYAWAY is different. Landalf has created characters whose personalities can stand up apart from the story, and I love that.
Stevie, for instance, is kind of a pain in the butt, but Landalf allows us to see her heart and her vulnerability as well. Stevie’s not always likable but she IS lovable. That’s a tough character to create.
Also, Landalf captures the love-hate relationship between an addict and her family. It isn’t stereotyped or sugar-coated but it’s also not exaggerated to manipulate the reader.
These are real characters with real challenges, real screw-ups, and real triumphs.
I highly recommend “FLYAWAY” for a teen girl, ages 12 – 15.
Stevie, for instance, is kind of a pain in the butt, but Landalf allows us to see her heart and her vulnerability as well. Stevie’s not always likable but she IS lovable. That’s a tough character to create.
Also, Landalf captures the love-hate relationship between an addict and her family. It isn’t stereotyped or sugar-coated but it’s also not exaggerated to manipulate the reader.
These are real characters with real challenges, real screw-ups, and real triumphs.
I highly recommend “FLYAWAY” for a teen girl, ages 12 – 15.
March 21, 2012
An amazing read--powerful, moving, and beautifully written. Stevie is such a "real" protagonist--in fact, all the characters seemed very real to me, not glossy or sugarcoated, but three-dimensional, imperfect, relatable, and believable. I LOVED it--and highly recommend it!
March 19, 2021
Stevie’s mom is the notorious “I’m her friend first” mother: she offers no boundaries or rules to Stevie and she thinks first of herself. Of course, since this is all Stevie has ever known, she immensely resents what she sees as her Aunt Mindy’s perfect life and nothing Mindy says (“I worked hard to get where I am”) or does (tutor, cell phone, new clothes, notes on the counter, boundaries & rules) makes Stevie see that it is Mindy who cares about her welfare not her mother.
This was an honest look at a troubled teen that was lucky enough to have someone in her life to help her out. That “someone” could have been a priest or a teacher; Stevie was lucky to have it be her aunt. Stevie’s mom made meth her #1; Stevie paid the price. I felt sympathy for Stevie and was frustrated with the obstacles she was presented … way to drag me into the story!
Were Stevie’s choices realistic? Would a “real teen” have said no to inhaling meth when confronted by three close friends who are imbibing. Maybe not … but it was nice to have the author present Stevie as a real teen with drinking and boy troubles but one who drew the line at drugs.
This is a good book for teens struggling with hard choices and family issues. They’ll finish the last page feeling hope and, with luck, turn to someone for help. Only thing I would have added? A list of resources for teens needing help.
This was an honest look at a troubled teen that was lucky enough to have someone in her life to help her out. That “someone” could have been a priest or a teacher; Stevie was lucky to have it be her aunt. Stevie’s mom made meth her #1; Stevie paid the price. I felt sympathy for Stevie and was frustrated with the obstacles she was presented … way to drag me into the story!
Were Stevie’s choices realistic? Would a “real teen” have said no to inhaling meth when confronted by three close friends who are imbibing. Maybe not … but it was nice to have the author present Stevie as a real teen with drinking and boy troubles but one who drew the line at drugs.
This is a good book for teens struggling with hard choices and family issues. They’ll finish the last page feeling hope and, with luck, turn to someone for help. Only thing I would have added? A list of resources for teens needing help.
April 9, 2021
Its a good book. I would recommend it to anybody who is going through any type of drug addict parent
November 16, 2011
Stevie's only 15, but she's has been looking after her mom for a long time. Sure, sometimes her mom disappears for days at a time, but Stevie knows how much her mother loves her. Then Stevie's aunt Mindy gets involved, and Stevie's mom ends up in rehab for meth addicts and Stevie has to live with Aunt Mindy. Stevie hates it, especially with Mindy after her all the time to study and tell her where she's going. All Stevie wants is for her mom to come back so they can live together again. Stevie begins working at a bird rehabilitation center, where she meets Alan, a troubled boy who used to go to her high school. Stevie has a lot going on in her life, but the hardest is learning the truth about her mother.
This was a bittersweet sort of story. Stevie loves her mom very much despite the fact her mom has done little to deserve her daughter's love. Stevie is constantly left alone, skipping school to wait by the telephone either for her mother to call or to answer in case a call comes for her mother. Stevie's mother has big dreams that involve selling her own jewelry and buying a house, but nothing she does gets her, or her child, any closer to these goals.
Stevie is stubbornly faithful to her mother. She hates Mindy, mostly because her mother doesn't get along with Mindy. She calls her, "Miss Perfect." Mindy has worked hard and has a stable life, and Stevie and her mother scoff at this. When Stevie has to go live with Mindy, she's angry, blaming Mindy for taking her mother away. Mindy also critics Stevie's mom constantly, trying to get Stevie to see the kind of mother she really is, which goes as well as you'd expect.
Stevie's mom is skilled in manipulation and making Stevie constantly feel like she's in the wrong. If she disagrees with her mother, she's made to feel like she doesn't love her. Her mother leave rehab early and Stevie moves back in with her. At first, things seem better, but then the old pattern starts again: staying away for days, collapsing when she comes home. Stevie knows the signs now, and knows that her mother is using again. She realizes she has to make a very difficult decision.
She's helped by not only her aunt, but also her tutor Rick, who helps her see how smart she is. He also tells her that if she doesn't respect herself, no one else will either.
What's happening in Stevie's life is being mirrored in the summer job she gets working with injured birds. A boy who used to go to her school, Alan also works there as well. Alan has a reputation as a bully, but at times he seems kind and understanding. Stevie is heartbroken when one of the birds she rescues can't be saved. She accuses Valerie, the woman who runs the clinic, of giving up. Valerie explains that not everything can be saved, no matter how hard we try or how much we want it. On the other hand, sometimes people can be saved with love, patience and caring, which is shown through Alan, who did some bad things but isn't irredeemable because of them. Stevie needs to figure out if her mother can be saved, and what she wants to do with the rest of her life.
This is a pretty serious topic, but I think it was well written for middle grade readers. It captured well Stevie's conflicting emotions of unconditional love for her mother, and beginning to realize that her mother has not been a good parent to her. Stevie realizes she can want more for herself, like going to college, and that it's not a bad thing to want that. I can see it helping someone who doesn't have a stable home life, as well as being a thoughtful read for those who do.
Flyaway comes out December 19.
This was a bittersweet sort of story. Stevie loves her mom very much despite the fact her mom has done little to deserve her daughter's love. Stevie is constantly left alone, skipping school to wait by the telephone either for her mother to call or to answer in case a call comes for her mother. Stevie's mother has big dreams that involve selling her own jewelry and buying a house, but nothing she does gets her, or her child, any closer to these goals.
Stevie is stubbornly faithful to her mother. She hates Mindy, mostly because her mother doesn't get along with Mindy. She calls her, "Miss Perfect." Mindy has worked hard and has a stable life, and Stevie and her mother scoff at this. When Stevie has to go live with Mindy, she's angry, blaming Mindy for taking her mother away. Mindy also critics Stevie's mom constantly, trying to get Stevie to see the kind of mother she really is, which goes as well as you'd expect.
Stevie's mom is skilled in manipulation and making Stevie constantly feel like she's in the wrong. If she disagrees with her mother, she's made to feel like she doesn't love her. Her mother leave rehab early and Stevie moves back in with her. At first, things seem better, but then the old pattern starts again: staying away for days, collapsing when she comes home. Stevie knows the signs now, and knows that her mother is using again. She realizes she has to make a very difficult decision.
She's helped by not only her aunt, but also her tutor Rick, who helps her see how smart she is. He also tells her that if she doesn't respect herself, no one else will either.
What's happening in Stevie's life is being mirrored in the summer job she gets working with injured birds. A boy who used to go to her school, Alan also works there as well. Alan has a reputation as a bully, but at times he seems kind and understanding. Stevie is heartbroken when one of the birds she rescues can't be saved. She accuses Valerie, the woman who runs the clinic, of giving up. Valerie explains that not everything can be saved, no matter how hard we try or how much we want it. On the other hand, sometimes people can be saved with love, patience and caring, which is shown through Alan, who did some bad things but isn't irredeemable because of them. Stevie needs to figure out if her mother can be saved, and what she wants to do with the rest of her life.
This is a pretty serious topic, but I think it was well written for middle grade readers. It captured well Stevie's conflicting emotions of unconditional love for her mother, and beginning to realize that her mother has not been a good parent to her. Stevie realizes she can want more for herself, like going to college, and that it's not a bad thing to want that. I can see it helping someone who doesn't have a stable home life, as well as being a thoughtful read for those who do.
Flyaway comes out December 19.
August 6, 2011
Summary:
So what if Stevie Calhoun is only fifteen years old? And, so what if her mother's been missing in action for a few days? Stevie's been taking care of herself for ages. There's really no good reason for Aunt Mindy to have a fit about it now. Well, okay, maybe there was that report on the news about the club where Stevie's mom works being a front for crystal meth operation. And, maybe she has been acting a little more erratic than usual. And, maybe Stevie gets a serious case of the creepy-crawlies from her mom's new boyfriend.
That's all fixable. All Stevie has to do is find her mom, kick that lowlife Drake to the curb, and get the rent paid on time. Piece of cake. Really, there's no need for Aunt Mindy to blow this all out of proportion like she is.
Under the threat of a call to social services, Stevie reluctantly moves in with Aunt Mindy, but only until her mother comes to get her. Because really, Stevie doesn't need school. She doesn't need friends, or even a guy, no matter how gorgeous Alan is, and she certainly doesn't need to be taking care of a bunch of wounded birds. None of that matters to her...or does it?
My Thoughts:
Addiction does not just destroy the life of the one who finds solace in drugs, it also shatters those close to the addict. FLYAWAY shines it's bright light over one such family torn apart by the ravages drug use can inflict on the families of addicts. At times, it is brutal. In others, hopeful. But every page of this book sings with it's realness.
The story opens with Stevie having stretched herself so thin from taking care of both herself and her mother, all while fighting to maintain a thin facade of normalcy, that she is at her breaking point. Her mother has been missing for two days, and all Stevie can do now is worry and wait. It's heart-breaking to see a fifteen year old girl have to wear the mantle of parent and protector, but Stevie does without complaint. All she wants is to see her mother walk through that door, or at the very least call home to let her know everything is okay.
But, when the door opens, it's Aunt Mindy there to herd Stevie out of the apartment and far away from the life she'd always known. Reluctantly, Stevie agrees to stay with Mindy, but only until her mother can be found. What follows is a journey that no family should have to take. Stevie finds her mother, and Mindy organizes and intervention, shipping her off to treatment and leaving Stevie to pick up the pieces and begin a "normal" life when all she wants to do is go back home with her mother.
From that very first scene, Stevie just sang for me. She was brassy, self-sufficient, and full of piss and vinegar. But, when her mother comes into the picture, that spunky girl folds up and crawls away, replaced by a meek girl who doesn't argue or question. There were moments when I wanted to shake her and ask, "Where did you go, girl?" But, you know what? This made her a real girl for me. In my opinion, this abrupt change in her demeanor when her mother comes into the picture is completely believable and endearing.
Even Aunt Mindy sprang up and did a little dance for me, with her prissy, semi-uptight ways, and how she slowly loosened up through out the book. Every character had their own backstory, quirks, and flaws that gave the story just that much more life.
A quick, easy read, this book with tear your heart out, twist it in a few knots, and then put you back together again so you and the birds can just FLYAWAY.
So what if Stevie Calhoun is only fifteen years old? And, so what if her mother's been missing in action for a few days? Stevie's been taking care of herself for ages. There's really no good reason for Aunt Mindy to have a fit about it now. Well, okay, maybe there was that report on the news about the club where Stevie's mom works being a front for crystal meth operation. And, maybe she has been acting a little more erratic than usual. And, maybe Stevie gets a serious case of the creepy-crawlies from her mom's new boyfriend.
That's all fixable. All Stevie has to do is find her mom, kick that lowlife Drake to the curb, and get the rent paid on time. Piece of cake. Really, there's no need for Aunt Mindy to blow this all out of proportion like she is.
Under the threat of a call to social services, Stevie reluctantly moves in with Aunt Mindy, but only until her mother comes to get her. Because really, Stevie doesn't need school. She doesn't need friends, or even a guy, no matter how gorgeous Alan is, and she certainly doesn't need to be taking care of a bunch of wounded birds. None of that matters to her...or does it?
My Thoughts:
Addiction does not just destroy the life of the one who finds solace in drugs, it also shatters those close to the addict. FLYAWAY shines it's bright light over one such family torn apart by the ravages drug use can inflict on the families of addicts. At times, it is brutal. In others, hopeful. But every page of this book sings with it's realness.
The story opens with Stevie having stretched herself so thin from taking care of both herself and her mother, all while fighting to maintain a thin facade of normalcy, that she is at her breaking point. Her mother has been missing for two days, and all Stevie can do now is worry and wait. It's heart-breaking to see a fifteen year old girl have to wear the mantle of parent and protector, but Stevie does without complaint. All she wants is to see her mother walk through that door, or at the very least call home to let her know everything is okay.
But, when the door opens, it's Aunt Mindy there to herd Stevie out of the apartment and far away from the life she'd always known. Reluctantly, Stevie agrees to stay with Mindy, but only until her mother can be found. What follows is a journey that no family should have to take. Stevie finds her mother, and Mindy organizes and intervention, shipping her off to treatment and leaving Stevie to pick up the pieces and begin a "normal" life when all she wants to do is go back home with her mother.
From that very first scene, Stevie just sang for me. She was brassy, self-sufficient, and full of piss and vinegar. But, when her mother comes into the picture, that spunky girl folds up and crawls away, replaced by a meek girl who doesn't argue or question. There were moments when I wanted to shake her and ask, "Where did you go, girl?" But, you know what? This made her a real girl for me. In my opinion, this abrupt change in her demeanor when her mother comes into the picture is completely believable and endearing.
Even Aunt Mindy sprang up and did a little dance for me, with her prissy, semi-uptight ways, and how she slowly loosened up through out the book. Every character had their own backstory, quirks, and flaws that gave the story just that much more life.
A quick, easy read, this book with tear your heart out, twist it in a few knots, and then put you back together again so you and the birds can just FLYAWAY.
June 29, 2011
LOVED this book. Read my review Imaginary Reads!
Flyaway is the story of Stevie Calhoun as she struggles with her mother’s addiction to meth and her growing sense of what is right. It’s always been Stevie and her mom. While the rest of the world strives in vain for Barbie looks and/or is out to get them, Stevie and her mom eat fast food and buy cool outfits from the thrift shop, and Stevie’s mom encourages her not to be tied down by society. It’s clear from the beginning that Stevie idolizes her mom. However, her mom has been missing for a couple days now, and her aunt Mindy threatens to call childcare if Stevie doesn’t come live with her.
Initially, Stevie resents her perfect aunt, and it’s perfectly understandable. Not only does Aunt Mindy take control of Stevie’s life, she can’t say anything nice about Stevie’s mother, aka her own sister. Mindy often speaks to Stevie without considering Stevie’s feelings, such as her suspicions that her sister addicted to crystal meth even though she has no evidence.
Stevie will frustrate you because of her unwillingness to accept that she can make a home without her mother. However, Landalf does a wonderful job of portraying Stevie’s emotions so that you empathize with what she’s going through. While I recognized that Aunt Mindy only wants the best for Stevie, I couldn’t help hating her for ‘assuming’ (rightfully) that she knew what Stevie needed. Aunt Mindy hasn’t had much experience raising a child, and Stevie hates anyone who talks against her mom. At first, the two of them try to move at their own pace without regard for the other’s feelings, but over time you can see a new family form.
I loved how On the Wing both provides Stevie a place of refuge as well as a unique setting in the story. A place for birds to recuperate before being released back into the wild, it’s where Stevie can escape the confusing events taking place around her. It’s also where she grows closer to Alan, a boy with a bad reputation and yet who’s gentle around birds, and to understanding how she wants to live her life. In a way, the birds represent the two of them, struggling to escape their problems before they get hurt.
While Stevie’s mother has a large negative impact on her life, this is not a story of the breaking relationship between a girl and her mother. It’s a story of healing and learning to recognize true love in a person’s actions, not the words she says to appease you. Flyaway explores the story of a teenage girl trying to find a place in the world while going through the denial that her mother is a drug addict. I recommend Flyaway to those looking for a contemporary read that looks into the influence of drugs in the lives of teenagers and yet possesses a strong, clear voice that doesn’t lose hope in the darker themes found in this book.
Flyaway is the story of Stevie Calhoun as she struggles with her mother’s addiction to meth and her growing sense of what is right. It’s always been Stevie and her mom. While the rest of the world strives in vain for Barbie looks and/or is out to get them, Stevie and her mom eat fast food and buy cool outfits from the thrift shop, and Stevie’s mom encourages her not to be tied down by society. It’s clear from the beginning that Stevie idolizes her mom. However, her mom has been missing for a couple days now, and her aunt Mindy threatens to call childcare if Stevie doesn’t come live with her.
Initially, Stevie resents her perfect aunt, and it’s perfectly understandable. Not only does Aunt Mindy take control of Stevie’s life, she can’t say anything nice about Stevie’s mother, aka her own sister. Mindy often speaks to Stevie without considering Stevie’s feelings, such as her suspicions that her sister addicted to crystal meth even though she has no evidence.
Stevie will frustrate you because of her unwillingness to accept that she can make a home without her mother. However, Landalf does a wonderful job of portraying Stevie’s emotions so that you empathize with what she’s going through. While I recognized that Aunt Mindy only wants the best for Stevie, I couldn’t help hating her for ‘assuming’ (rightfully) that she knew what Stevie needed. Aunt Mindy hasn’t had much experience raising a child, and Stevie hates anyone who talks against her mom. At first, the two of them try to move at their own pace without regard for the other’s feelings, but over time you can see a new family form.
I loved how On the Wing both provides Stevie a place of refuge as well as a unique setting in the story. A place for birds to recuperate before being released back into the wild, it’s where Stevie can escape the confusing events taking place around her. It’s also where she grows closer to Alan, a boy with a bad reputation and yet who’s gentle around birds, and to understanding how she wants to live her life. In a way, the birds represent the two of them, struggling to escape their problems before they get hurt.
While Stevie’s mother has a large negative impact on her life, this is not a story of the breaking relationship between a girl and her mother. It’s a story of healing and learning to recognize true love in a person’s actions, not the words she says to appease you. Flyaway explores the story of a teenage girl trying to find a place in the world while going through the denial that her mother is a drug addict. I recommend Flyaway to those looking for a contemporary read that looks into the influence of drugs in the lives of teenagers and yet possesses a strong, clear voice that doesn’t lose hope in the darker themes found in this book.
November 24, 2011
Although she's only 15, Stevie Calhoun has been taking care of herself and of her mother, if you want to know the truth, for years. Stevie loves her mother's free-spirited ways, but sometimes she grows tired of having to move from place to place in order to avoid bill-collectors. As the book opens, the family has settled in Seattle, and Stevie's mother has been gone for days. It turns out that she is addicted to meth, and eventually goes to rehab while Stevie must stay with her meddling Aunt Mindy. Stevie also begins volunteering at a bird sanctuary where she learns that there is more to co-worker Alan Parker, a former classmate who had bullied another boy by impugning his sexuality. At first anxious about being around Alan, Stevie eventually realizes that there is much more to his story than she knows. Briefly, she begins to feel happy, but that feeling is short-lived. When Stevie's mother leaves rehab early, they settle into the same routine they followed before, but Stevie keeps a watchful eye on her mother. Still, she can't keep her safe forever,and it's no surprise when the inevitable happens.
The author does a wonderful job of describing Seattle and Stevie, whose actions seem true to her own character, and while annoying at several points, also seem to ring with authenticity. Perhaps it's naive of me, but I felt frustrated and skeptical that the recreational use of meth was so common in the book, even among Stevie's small circle of friends, including Tonya and the Professor, who certainly knew better than to offer the drug to Stevie. While I could understand Tonya's curiosity, I didn't expect that sort of behavior from the Professor; nor did I find his remarks about Stevie true to his character when she turned him down. Nevertheless, the novel does provide glimpses into the cycle of addiction and the way it affects family members. The passages describing the care and feeding of the birds were especially interesting and allowed both Alan and Stevie to nurture other living things.
The author does a wonderful job of describing Seattle and Stevie, whose actions seem true to her own character, and while annoying at several points, also seem to ring with authenticity. Perhaps it's naive of me, but I felt frustrated and skeptical that the recreational use of meth was so common in the book, even among Stevie's small circle of friends, including Tonya and the Professor, who certainly knew better than to offer the drug to Stevie. While I could understand Tonya's curiosity, I didn't expect that sort of behavior from the Professor; nor did I find his remarks about Stevie true to his character when she turned him down. Nevertheless, the novel does provide glimpses into the cycle of addiction and the way it affects family members. The passages describing the care and feeding of the birds were especially interesting and allowed both Alan and Stevie to nurture other living things.
August 25, 2011
more reviews here
Flyaway was nothing like I expected it to be, honestly I didn’t think I was going to like it, but I ended of loving it.
This book was difficult to read at times just because the sorry excuse for her mother was acting like her daughter was nothing, Stevie loves her mother unconditionally until she doesn’t come home for 3 days, after 3 days her rich condescending aunt Mindy comes and takes her to her house. Stevie hates it there, she wants to go back home and wait for her mom to come home.
Aunt Mindy doesn’t believe she is coming back and takes Stevie in and gives her a better life. Stevie always heard nasty things about Mindy from her mom; she acts all perfect, with her perfect life and perfect house.
Stevie hates Drake, he knows what he and her mom are up to, so she’s goes to house and peers through the window and sure enough there is her mother with Drake doing drugs. She knows her mother has problems; she just wants to be with her and help her.
Stevie’s character grew throughout the book; she was strong as she dealt with her crappy life. I loved Aunt Mindy, she loved and cared for Stevie, even if all Stevie did was disrespect her, she was so forgiving.
I definitely cried in this book, it was so sad yet there was a happy outcome, Stevie might have had a bad life but there were people who cared about her and wanted to be there for her.
Helen’s writing was definitely emotional, and the subject of this book made me realize that there are kids and teenagers who have to deal with parents who are addicted to drugs or alcohol and they have no idea what to do.
Makes me want to go out there and help every one of them. I definitely recommend this book to everyone. When this comes out in December be sure to buy a copy!
Flyaway was nothing like I expected it to be, honestly I didn’t think I was going to like it, but I ended of loving it.
This book was difficult to read at times just because the sorry excuse for her mother was acting like her daughter was nothing, Stevie loves her mother unconditionally until she doesn’t come home for 3 days, after 3 days her rich condescending aunt Mindy comes and takes her to her house. Stevie hates it there, she wants to go back home and wait for her mom to come home.
Aunt Mindy doesn’t believe she is coming back and takes Stevie in and gives her a better life. Stevie always heard nasty things about Mindy from her mom; she acts all perfect, with her perfect life and perfect house.
Stevie hates Drake, he knows what he and her mom are up to, so she’s goes to house and peers through the window and sure enough there is her mother with Drake doing drugs. She knows her mother has problems; she just wants to be with her and help her.
Stevie’s character grew throughout the book; she was strong as she dealt with her crappy life. I loved Aunt Mindy, she loved and cared for Stevie, even if all Stevie did was disrespect her, she was so forgiving.
I definitely cried in this book, it was so sad yet there was a happy outcome, Stevie might have had a bad life but there were people who cared about her and wanted to be there for her.
Helen’s writing was definitely emotional, and the subject of this book made me realize that there are kids and teenagers who have to deal with parents who are addicted to drugs or alcohol and they have no idea what to do.
Makes me want to go out there and help every one of them. I definitely recommend this book to everyone. When this comes out in December be sure to buy a copy!
August 29, 2011
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I absolutely loved Flyaway. I found myself wanting more and wishing the book wasn't over so soon. I'll definitely be going back for more books by Helen Landalf.
Stevie is a fifteen year old girl who thinks she has it all figured out until her mom goes missing and her aunt sticks her nose where it doesn't belong. Stevie's torn between two guys who she thinks she knows, The Professor and Alan. Stevie thinks she knows all she needs to know about them as well. It isn't long before Stevie's world is turned upside down and she realizes that she might not have everything figured out after all.
I found this to be a great read, one that I will definitely be purchasing for my daughter. I found it to be such a true story. We all cloud our judgement based on our family relationships. No one wants to betray a family member, or hurt those we love the most. Sometimes we think we know all there is to know about a person, but we find we were so far from the truth it's painful. I found myself completely engrossed in Stevie's story and not wanting to set the book down until I finished.
Stevie is such a vibrant character. Landalf did such an amazing job at peeling away the layers of Stevie's character layer by layer. Stevie is an easy character to like and relate to. I found myself saying, "No! Stevie, don't do that!" several times. The supporting cast was created just as well. I wanted to like the Prof, but I also found myself liking Alan and rooting for him as well.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary young adult. It was such a great read.
Stevie is a fifteen year old girl who thinks she has it all figured out until her mom goes missing and her aunt sticks her nose where it doesn't belong. Stevie's torn between two guys who she thinks she knows, The Professor and Alan. Stevie thinks she knows all she needs to know about them as well. It isn't long before Stevie's world is turned upside down and she realizes that she might not have everything figured out after all.
I found this to be a great read, one that I will definitely be purchasing for my daughter. I found it to be such a true story. We all cloud our judgement based on our family relationships. No one wants to betray a family member, or hurt those we love the most. Sometimes we think we know all there is to know about a person, but we find we were so far from the truth it's painful. I found myself completely engrossed in Stevie's story and not wanting to set the book down until I finished.
Stevie is such a vibrant character. Landalf did such an amazing job at peeling away the layers of Stevie's character layer by layer. Stevie is an easy character to like and relate to. I found myself saying, "No! Stevie, don't do that!" several times. The supporting cast was created just as well. I wanted to like the Prof, but I also found myself liking Alan and rooting for him as well.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary young adult. It was such a great read.
February 20, 2013
This book was intense, beautiful and sad at the same time. I will always remember ‘’Flyaway’’ and how much the story meant to me.
Stevie had a hard life with her mother. I can’t believe she had to suffer so much and sometimes I just wanted to go and hug her (to bad it wasn’t possible). Her mother tricked her and made her believe that she wanted a better life, a life without drugs and Drake. This man was Stevie’s mother’s boyfriend and he was a jerk. Drake wanted June (Stevie’s mother) and of course, he wanted to catch Stieve too.
When June disapeared for many days, Stevie’s aunt, Mindy, took care of her. I really liked her. Mindy did her best to be a good relative for Stievie. In the end, she found her true love, Rick (he was Stevie’s tutor).
But let’s say that something was good in Stevie’s life: Alan. Of course, he was a bad boy but he had a big heart. I liked the fact that both of them evolved till the end. I also liked their relationship, although they had to face some issues. They met in a strange way: when Stevie found a hurt robin. It seems to be that Alan worked at ‘’On the Wing’’, a place where he and a nice lady named Valerie took care of birds.
The ending was bittersweet for me, but it was OK. Finaly, Stevie found happiness with the ones she loved, even if that meant a life without her mother. I was very happy for her because she really diserved what she got. Like I already said, she suffered a lot.
Overall, I recommend you this book with all my heart ♥ ! The author did a great job and I would love to read more books written by her.
Stevie had a hard life with her mother. I can’t believe she had to suffer so much and sometimes I just wanted to go and hug her (to bad it wasn’t possible). Her mother tricked her and made her believe that she wanted a better life, a life without drugs and Drake. This man was Stevie’s mother’s boyfriend and he was a jerk. Drake wanted June (Stevie’s mother) and of course, he wanted to catch Stieve too.
When June disapeared for many days, Stevie’s aunt, Mindy, took care of her. I really liked her. Mindy did her best to be a good relative for Stievie. In the end, she found her true love, Rick (he was Stevie’s tutor).
But let’s say that something was good in Stevie’s life: Alan. Of course, he was a bad boy but he had a big heart. I liked the fact that both of them evolved till the end. I also liked their relationship, although they had to face some issues. They met in a strange way: when Stevie found a hurt robin. It seems to be that Alan worked at ‘’On the Wing’’, a place where he and a nice lady named Valerie took care of birds.
The ending was bittersweet for me, but it was OK. Finaly, Stevie found happiness with the ones she loved, even if that meant a life without her mother. I was very happy for her because she really diserved what she got. Like I already said, she suffered a lot.
Overall, I recommend you this book with all my heart ♥ ! The author did a great job and I would love to read more books written by her.
July 20, 2011
While searching the new YA titles on Netgalley, I came across Flyaway and was instantly intrigued and after reading it, I have nothing but good things to say about it! Flyaway is about a 15 year old girl named Stevie. Her mother is a dancer at a strip club and Stevie spends most of her time by herself. She ignores all of the negative things about her mom and looks up to her. It isn’t until her mom doesn’t come home for days, and her Aunt Mindy takes her back to her house, that Stevie starts to question all she knows about her mother and their life together.
I really loved Stevie. I thought she was a wonderful character and I enjoyed getting to know her. It was really hard for her to come to terms with her mother’s drug issue and I felt for her. I wanted her to be able to accept her mother’s issues and be able to move on from that. I wanted her to become a family with her Aunt and I wanted her to get to know Alan. My favorite parts of the book was when she and Alan were working at the bird sanctuary together. Stevie was someone that I was rooting for throughout the entire story.
Flyaway will leave you with hope and a smile on your face and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good story! Also, you might not know this at first, but Flyaway is a perfect fitting title for this book!
I really loved Stevie. I thought she was a wonderful character and I enjoyed getting to know her. It was really hard for her to come to terms with her mother’s drug issue and I felt for her. I wanted her to be able to accept her mother’s issues and be able to move on from that. I wanted her to become a family with her Aunt and I wanted her to get to know Alan. My favorite parts of the book was when she and Alan were working at the bird sanctuary together. Stevie was someone that I was rooting for throughout the entire story.
Flyaway will leave you with hope and a smile on your face and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good story! Also, you might not know this at first, but Flyaway is a perfect fitting title for this book!
November 26, 2012
Short and bittersweet, Flyaway is one of the best contemporary YA books I have ever read. Its in the top five of my list, up there with The Fault in Our Stars and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Yes, it was that good. A few pages over 176, Flyaway was a quick read for me. Only took a hour or two, but I still enjoyed it immensely. You stick with Stevie as she experiences things no fifteen year-old girl should have to deal with. She deals with betrayal of what she thought she could rely on. You see her start to trust in the things (and people) that had always been there for her, without her realizing it. You are there by her when she discovers memories and talents that had been buried deep down in her. You watch her life, and Stevie herself, transform in a truly magical fashion. You are left with (many!) questions, but in a good way. You want to see what becomes of Stevie (because, if you are anything like me, you will be incredibly attached to her by the end.) , and Ms.Landalf leave it up to your imagination. Flyaway is a brilliant debut for author Ms. Helen Landalf, and I highly recommend it.
I give Flyaway five out of five stars!
Maddie
I give Flyaway five out of five stars!
Maddie
May 17, 2012
One of the things I loved about this book, besides the winsomeness of its protagonist, Stevie, was that it didn't present easy answers. Stevie has grown up in an intolerable situation, but she loves her mother despite her mother's flaws, and is determined to be loyal to her.
Even when I wanted to shake Stevie and say, "You've got to get out of there, girl!" I believed it entirely when she continued to cling to her mom's empty promises.
It was exciting to see Stevie gradually begin to honor her own dreams and let go of blaming herself for her mom's choices.
I also loved Alan--tough, cynical, wounded and full of possibility. I'd have liked to see Stevie challenge him even more than she did, but I have a feeling that as she gains confidence in herself she will be more and more honest.
This is a book whose characters continue to live and breathe, even after the last page.
Even when I wanted to shake Stevie and say, "You've got to get out of there, girl!" I believed it entirely when she continued to cling to her mom's empty promises.
It was exciting to see Stevie gradually begin to honor her own dreams and let go of blaming herself for her mom's choices.
I also loved Alan--tough, cynical, wounded and full of possibility. I'd have liked to see Stevie challenge him even more than she did, but I have a feeling that as she gains confidence in herself she will be more and more honest.
This is a book whose characters continue to live and breathe, even after the last page.
November 12, 2011
Stevie is fifteen-years-old, but she knows how to take care of herself. Her mother is away for days at a time. Mom, an exotic dancer, hangs out with a sleazy man and is hooked on drugs, even stealing money from her own daughter to pay for her addiction. Nevertheless, Stevie loves her unconditionally. When Aunt Mindy steps in, taking Stevie into her home and pushing for rehab for Stevie’s mom, Stevie rebels. But later on she’ll understand what’s best for her and her mom.
There’s also a storyline that parallels Stevie’s life, in which she takes care of injured or abandoned birds. At a bird nursery she gets to know Alan, another troubled teenager whose bad reputation covers something much deeper. This was a beautiful, heartrending story, at times hard to read. It reminded me that there are many young people experiencing Stevie’s situation.
There’s also a storyline that parallels Stevie’s life, in which she takes care of injured or abandoned birds. At a bird nursery she gets to know Alan, another troubled teenager whose bad reputation covers something much deeper. This was a beautiful, heartrending story, at times hard to read. It reminded me that there are many young people experiencing Stevie’s situation.
June 14, 2012
I read this in one sitting. It grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. It hit really close to home for me - the addiction, the leaving, the whole "be a real Mom" part. Sad thing is, I was the Mom. I met a man like Drake and he sucked me in, and for two years I was lost to my kids. But I've been back for 7 years now and things have never been better. I'm not "Mom" anymore. I'm Mindy. (Of course, I have yet to find my Rick! LOL) Stevie helped me better understand what my children must have been feeling while I was lost. I am so grateful to be home, where I know I'm loved for who I am...and where the people I love the most are always waiting for me. This was an excellent book! Thank you Ms. Landalf for sharing Stevie's story in such a poignant, raw, gritty and honest way.
March 22, 2012
This was an amazing book. I love how you can just imagine how Stevie is feeling and it's like you can see what she sees every second. I could not imagine having a mother who was hooked on Crystal meth live with me and think that I'm going to be there every second to take her crap and clean up her messes she made (literal and non literal). I honestly loved this book and would recommend it to anybody. If you want to see how someone who lives with someone who is hooked on drugs lives and now how they feel then this is definitely the book for you. It is also a quick read so thats not bad either.
June 11, 2012
I loved this book, it kept me interested the whole way through. I thought the author did a great job of developing the main character as a realistic troubled teen dealing with some big life challenges. She was definitely a flawed human being which made her realistic and although not entirely likeable all the time (what 15 year old is??!!) I felt sypathetic to her and was rooting for her throughout the book.
I have an 11 year old daughter and will hold off another couple of years or so for her to read it-probably most suited for 14 and up.
I have an 11 year old daughter and will hold off another couple of years or so for her to read it-probably most suited for 14 and up.
May 23, 2016
Helen Landalf’s Flyaway is a very fascinating book. This book is about a single mom that isn’t doing well at all at playing the mom role. She does drugs and drinks leaving poor Stevie at home all by herself at the age of 15. This book is an intriguing story, because it shows just how it could be and how others aren’t as fortunate. Overall I thought it was a pretty good book though I couldn’t relate to any of the situations, but now I understand how it could be for others.
September 18, 2016
Decent young adult novel dealing with a girl struggling with a Mom addicted to drugs. The story focuses much more of the girl than the uglier side of the Mom's addiction, which is fine for this intended audience.
The writing is straightforward and clear, though the characterization of the supporting characters could have been done better, flushing the out more and giving them much more depth, making them far more interesting.
The writing is straightforward and clear, though the characterization of the supporting characters could have been done better, flushing the out more and giving them much more depth, making them far more interesting.
August 14, 2012
Wow! In truth I picked up this book because of it's cover. But it turned out to be so much more. It was a really good story showing how a teen girl was struggling with problems she kept trying to push away. I was astonished by the power in this novel. Absolutely amazing! A book that everyone should have on their to-read shelf by now.
December 12, 2012
Flyaway is about a a teen girl whos mom leaves one day and doesn't come back. She goes to live at her aunts house and becomes friends with a guy who used to go to her school. I really enjoyed this book I would recommend it to people. It wasn't what I expected it to be about but it was great.
November 22, 2011
A lot of emotional puch packed into 182 pages! Full review HERE.
August 4, 2012
Lovely writing! Don't forget Kleenex.
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