Up on Cloud Nine

by Anne Fine

This ALA Notable Children's Book is now in paperback. Ian's best friend, Stolly, is on life support at the hospital. Ian is determined to find out what happened, but the answer he finds doesn't make sense.

Genres: Young Adult, Middle Grade, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Friendship, Novels

219 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Though readers often find themselves inadvertently laughing aloud as they read Anne Fine's novels, as she herself admits, "a lot of my work, even for fairly young readers, raises serious social issues. Growing up is a long and confusing business. I try to show that the battle through the chaos is worthwhile and can, at times, be seen as very funny." In 1994, this unique combination of humour and realism inspired the hit movie MRS. DOUBTFIRE, based on Anne's novel MADAME DOUBTFIRE and starring the late comedic genius Robin Williams.

Anne is best known in her home country, England, as a writer principally for children, but over the years she has also written eight novels for adult readers. Seven of these she describes as black - or sour - comedies, and the first, THE KILLJOY, simply as "dead black". These novels have proved great favourites with reading groups, causing readers to squirm with mingled horror and delight as she peels away the layers in all too familiar family relationships, exposing the tangled threads and conflicts beneath. (It's perhaps not surprising that Anne has openly expressed astonishment at the fact that murder in the domestic setting is not even more common.)

Anne has written more than sixty books for children and young people. Amongst numerous other awards, she is twice winner of both the Carnegie Medal, Britain's most prestigious children's book award, and the Whitbread Award. Twice chosen as Children's Author of the Year in the British Book Awards, Anne Fine was also the first novelist to be honoured as Children's Laureate in the United Kingdom. In 2003, Anne became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded an OBE. Her work has been translated into forty five languages.

Anne Fine lives in the north of England and has two grown up daughters.

Reviews

[Miranda A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stolly's stuck lying on a hospital bed after what may or may not have been an accident. He's dead asleep with no sign of waking. His young friend, who's like brother to stolly, begins to write his biography so that Stolly's life will never vanish.

The plot feels like flipping through an old photo album. Stolly and Ian's life story is made anything but normal because of Stolly's vibrant imagination.

I was most impressed by the way Anne Fine wrote the characters, from Stolly's stubbornness to Ian's curiosity that dwindles with maturity. She made it feel natural and humorous.

[Vita · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
I read this in a couple of hours since it was a really short and quick read but I did not like it much.
This boy is in hospital and neither his best friend nor his family know how he ended up there, so his best friend talks about a couple of memories he has of him but I did not catch much emotion. Well, yes, of course there was emotion, but it wasn't very touching.

[Libby May · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan.
The characters were well developed and the stories behind each were well done, but the whole point in all wasn’t a fall-in-love, read-again type book.
It really wasn’t all the necessary in the world. The writing style was cool I guess. It was Ian telling everything well Stolly lays in the hospital. It’s pretty short, (I’m glad) only 151 paged.
Sorry. I don’t like giving unhappy reviews, but I didn’t love this book. I like Ian’s story though.

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Fine is a strange author. This book and The Killjoy have absolutely no business coming from the same mind. This one is strangely sad yet uplifting at the same time, with sincere laughs all the way through. Much like The Last Days of Summer.

[Chandni · Rating 1 out of 5]

HORRIBLE book. I can't believe this book minimizes suicidal tendencies and depression as much as it does. Ian is supposed to be Stolly's best friend and he HIDES the fact his friend has mental health issues even though he nearly died?! I just can't understand it.

[Amanda Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really out if its time now. I'd have liked this 20 years ago but I think we've moved on in out understanding of suicidal ideation. I would point out that the parents DO know a out the attempt by the end of the book but it isn't helpful for a kids' book to instill such distrust of professionals eg the police snd doctors in this area

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a strange little book. Stolly- noted ‘eccentric’ and best friend of Ian- has fallen out of a top-floor window. Ian insists it must have been an accident, just like everything else in Stolly’s ten foot tall medical file. But as Ian spends his time by Stolly’s bed, he begins to write Stolly’s ‘sort of biography.’ In doing so, he starts to explore the reasons why just maybe Stolly might not have fallen at all.

There are some books that are grand, sweeping, worldly books. Then there are some books that are so deeply personal; it’s like you are a forgotten thought in the protagonist’s brain. You’re not being told the story- you’re simply listening in to their thoughts. ‘Up On Cloud Nine’ is one of those books. Ian is a very agreeable narrator and his recollections are deeply immersing. Emerging from this book is like emerging from the sea when you thought you’d drowned. Revitalising, refreshing, and utterly unexplainable.

Anne Fine is simply a wonderful author. Whenever I mention her my dearest mother always says, “Oh! Anne Fine! I love her books!” And my mum doesn’t say that much about children’s/young teen’s authors. I’ve never read a bad Anne Fine book. And yet it took me years to finish this one. It is such an oddball. A brilliant oddball, but still an oddball. It’s the tone, I think. Cheerful, yet it’s as if you’re looking at the sun through a thunderstorm as night approaches.

There was only one thing that annoyed me and that was the ending. The way the novel dealt with the issues at hand was wrong, I feel. The right message wasn’t put across in quite the right way. A lot of it was to do with the fact that Ian covered for Stolly. Whilst that might be something that actually happens, it seemed to sensational and prevented Stolly from moving on in the best way. (I can’t really say too much more without getting into spoiler city, so we’ll leave it there.)

[Stacey Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Up on Cloud Nine by Ann Fine is a bibliotherapy novel that addresses the issue of suicide. This book is appropriate for fifth grade students and older.

This book is about best friends Ian James and Stuart "Stolly" Oliver. Stolly's parents are not around much because his father is a busy lawyer and his mother works in the fashion business and is often on location. Ian's parents accept Stolly as part of their own family and take care of him when his own parents aren't around. Stolly has a quirky personality and his wild imagination gets him into a lot of accidents. The setting of the book rotates between Stolly's hospital room and different memories Ian has of Stol and him. Stolly is in the hospital because he "fell" from his nanny's room on the third story of his house. Ian spends a lot of time analyzing Stolly's life, trying to figure out why he jumped from his nanny's window. He flashes back to better and crazier times with Stolly, trying to put the pieces of Stolly's life back together.

Activities:
1. The teacher can introduce "Points of View". This story is told in first person by one of the main characters, Ian. The class should split into groups and look through various novels to decide what point of view they were written in. Each group should discuss why they thought what they did.
2. This could be linked with a school counselor's lesson on acceptance, depression, or suicide. Students can write a letter to their counselor with their reactions to the book and express any thoughts or concerns they have about themselves or a friend that might be in the same postion as Stolly.

[Atziri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just discovered Anne Fine's book and I am inspired by her ability to capture a serious topic (suicide) and present it in a way that is not exactly light, but gets the point across. She says of her work: "A lot of my work, even for fairly young readers, raises quite serious social issues," she admits. "Growing up is a long and confusing business. I try to show that the battle through the chaos is worthwhile and can, at times, be seen as very funny."

This story is about two friends, Ian and Stol. Stol is in the hospital after having jumped off from a window at his home. Ian decides to write Stol's biography and little by little we get the idea that Stol's personality is actually very unique. He doesn't seem to see the world like others, can make-up a lot of stories, can be very distracted at times, but is a very humane type of person, helping others in unexpected ways. I found myself wanting to have someone scream at the lack of attention Stol's parent's gave Stol. But, I am glad this was not captured in the story as it is actually a beautiful story about friendship and understanding written from the perspective of a teenager, in this case Ian. Focusing on the parent's would have completely changed the tone. The story also uncovers what can be a delicate theme to discuss with a kid. As it turns out Ian is an adopted child, but he wonders why his parents didn't decide to adopt another kid. After sitting in the hospital for a while and chatting with his mom he realizes how much Stol has had an influence on their lives.

Excellent read and very well written!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was engrossed in this book from start to finish. From meeting Stol in intensive care, and seeing how he has arrived in this situation, through the eyes of his friend, Ian, they are best of friends at school and Stol has been integrated into Ian's family.

Stol is an eccentric character, unpredictable, a little crazy, but he has Ian on hand to help as buddy and translator. It seems that they both are intelligent, thoughtful, thoroughly likeable boys. There are moments of farce, when Stol arrives at school for his maths exam without school uniform and Ian comes up with the notion of changing costumes with one of the girls, so we see Stol, talk gawky, masculine, wearing a girl's uniform, it is laugh aloud. But there are moments of profound grief, as we discover Stol's sadness and isolation, despite being loved by Ian's family and being very popular with his peer group.

A lovely book, gives the reader pause for thought, hoping for a happy fulfilled future for Stol and for his good buddy, Ian.

Comes highly recommended, a book that will make you alternately laugh out loud, and feel sad for the trauma that Stol has had to endure.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stolly is in the hospital with many broken bones, bruises and cuts. He "fell" out of the highest window in his house. His best friend, Ian, is with him in the hospital. He's decided to write Stolly's biography. While writing about Stolly and all that has happened to him, Ian begins to realize that there is something off about Stolly's behavior. He has a unnatural fascination with death and how to accomplish it. As Ian looks back on their friendship together he notices that Stolly has had many hospitalizations due to "accidents," and "accidental ingestion" of various poisons.

Ian decides he's had enough. When (if) Stolly wakes up from his latest escapade, Ian is going to have a talk with him about his depression.

A very interesting look at depression and suicide attempts in tweens. Especially interesting as that it's told from the best friends point of view, so reader's get to see what it looks like from the other side.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally got hold of a copy of this and I did enjoy it. Stolly is unconscious in hospital having fallen or jumped from a window. His best friend Ian is there with Ian's parents, who have been like a second family to Stolly while his own parents have focused on their careers.

I loved that everybody was so appreciative of Stolly who is not a 'normal' child. I wondered if Ian would really be not at all jealous - maybe. I did wonder more seriously if the right thing was happening at the end. Stolly sounded like he might have bipolar disorder or something similar. But it was a great story about being different and being appreciative of the differences between people.

[Felicity · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very unusual book about Stolly who has fallen out of a high window and is in intensive care in hospital. Ian who is Stolly's friend is by his bedside trying to work out if Stolly fell accidentally or tried to commit suicide.

This is an unusual book as it is about teenage boys and deals with various issues quite sensitively. It covers adoption, depression and parental neglect. I found it incredibly moving in places and feel that I understand boys a bit more for reading this. Anne Fine's writing is well crafted but approachable and this confirmed to me what a fantastic writer she is.

A perfect book for any young people with general angst, depression or have suffered loss.

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

While quite funny, a really thought-provoking novel in so many ways, dealing with some tough issues, among them suicide. Stolly is one of his kind and most probably one of the most eccentric characters I have ever met so far; Ian a wonderful loyal and understanding friend; but who I was really drawn to, was Ian's mother, the way how she loves and cares for both boys and her practical outlook on life.

[F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne Fine writes very well and I like her style. This was a very interesting book. Is it about a suicide attempt? Somehow, the narrator, Stolly's friend Ian who is sitting by his bedside, manages to persuade himself, the reader and the other characters in the story that it is not. I was left feeling quite puzzled.

[Neill Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ian is at the hospital because Stolly has plummeted from a high window – he wonders how stupid you have to be to fall out of a top-floor window. As Ian ponders Stolly’s activities over his life he comes to wonder about the meaning of this accident.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it! It was a quick thought-provoking read about interesting characters and clever conversations. It checks all of my Things I Like In Books boxes, except maybe "compelling," and this was a bit to short to be that.

[Whitney Hallam · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book really teaches you what it is like to be differant to other people like stoll who jumps of a window...

[Tracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far so good - didn't like it at first but you kind of get into it.

[Nick Cherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect book that you could use as a discussion book. This book keeps you guessing perfect for kids to predict what they think is going to happen next.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I loved it. Very funny but serious too.

[Madeeha Maqbool · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best part of the book has to be the thickness of Stolly's hospital file.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

very well done story about struggling with your place in the world. Although some of it was tough (due to slang), I did love all the characters in the book.

[Menolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was beautiful.

[Philippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how it all takes place whilst poor Stolly is unconscious gradually building up as to why he is the hospital bed.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

Ian is in the hospital--not as a patient, but sitting with his best friend, Stolly, who is unconscious and suffering multiple broken bones plus a concussion after falling from an upper window in his house. But Stolly isn't little--he's in the equivalent of anglo-North American middle school. The entire book is from Ian's POV and he basically tells Stolly's story as he sees it, because deep down (and he doesn't admit this right away) he knows this was no accident and it's not just because Stolly is known for being accident prone or doing things that are rather stupid, despite being very smart in school and a gifted violin student.

From what I can tell, this fictional book is handling suicide fixation in middle school age from the viewpoint of a friend, and what I liked about it is that Ian is applying something he has heard or read, and writes Stolly's life story (but of course, there is plenty about Ian, too, who was found in an alley on top of a dustbin/dumpster, as an infant and was adopted.)

[Dr. des. Siobhán · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted this book as part of a Secret Santa book exchange and it was wonderfully weird. Careful though, this review is not spoiler free.

Stolly is in hospital as he fell out of a window and his best friend (and almost a step-brother) Ian is keeping watch, losing himself in memories of their friendship and the excentric behaviour of Stolly, his weird family and past. One realises in the end, that Stolly is not only funny and a bit weird, but also deeply troubled -- and that him falling out of the window was a suicide attempt. Ian covers this up for him and forces him to see how much he means for him, but (and this is why this is only 4 stars and not 5) I felt like this was not the right way to deal with it. Suicidal children or teens should not be left alone with their friends in these matters, they should receive professional help and I am not sure Ian will get that.

But this was wondrously weird, wild, and partly funny while it also has dark and raw parts.

4 Stars

[Efe Filizlibay]

this book is about mystery and stolly and ian is stolly best friend stolly thinks his house is haunted but then he and his family play the ouija board to see if stolly is lying about spirits living in the house or if he is telling the true during the game spirits talked with them later in the book ian is finding out what happened to stolly ian really wasn't sure if stolly was adopted or he had parents but ian thinks that stolly is maybe lying to him ian is in the hospital unconscious while stolly is up on cloud nine wondering

[Muir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know how to rate this book because I don’t really know how it made me feel. I think I would give it something in-between 3 and 4 stars, but that seems kind of arbitrary, so I won’t.

Edit. I did. I really like Fine’s writing, it’s the kind of writing I could read no matter what the plot was because it’s so funny, but with heart.

As far as this story goes though, I waited a few days to see if it would stay with me, and it didn’t really. I suspect I may have liked this book and Stolly a lot more if I has read it as a kid. The two kids didn’t really read like kids, and Esme reminded me of... well Snicket’s Esme. Of course, it is a kid’s book and I am being very subjective, I would recommend this book to others. But there was something unsatisfying about it that I cannot put a finger on yet. Perhaps I’ll come back to this review when I’ve figured it out. Perhaps I won’t.

[ELRISA UNRUH · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book in which the main character narrating is not the main character of the story- his friend who is lying in a hospital bed is. I liked the book and enjoyed reading it but I doubt I’ll read it a second time.