Riding Out the Storm

by Claudia Jones

Fifteen-year-old Emily has never wondered if she's had past lives-she's too busy thinking about the life she's living. Between taking care of her horse Moonie, keeping up with homework, and fending off the school bully who picks on her best friend for being chubby, Emily's got enough on her plate. But after she nearly drowns in the new pool at her middle school, she begins having recurring nightmares that lead her to think that this life may not be her first.

Riding out the Storm is a modern tale that chronicles a young girl's journey into recalling a past-life and how she copes with the outcome. Spiritual and believable, this novel features a charismatic narrator who learns to listen to the signals around her and trust her instincts. Along her journey, Emily finds herself anxious to learn all she can about reincarnation, and she discovers the value of reaching out to not-so-unfamiliar strangers to repair relationships long interrupted.

Genres: Young Adult

234 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2006

Reviews

[Jay G · Rating 1 out of 5]

Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...


Emily Clark has always loved swimming. Then one day during P.E class, she jumps into the swimming pool and feels an overwhelming fear of the deep water. She begins to drown and her teacher has to jump in and pull her out. Now, nightmares occur every night and her parents are worried about her suggesting that they turn to a therapist for help. The therapist suggests trying hypnosis in order to try and uncover the root of this new fear. Emily discovers that she is having flashbacks from a boy named Michael who drowned back in 1981.

I found the book to be extremely boring and bland. I really didn't like the writing style and the dialogue in the book was very forced and seemed unnatural.

[Bookewyfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick YA novel about a young girl who has loved the water all her life, but suddenly becomes afraid of it and begins having nightmares. Could the answer be in the memory of a previous lifetime? I find the idea of reincarnation fascinating; this is just a fictional version of many of the books I have read on the subject.

[Margi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story a a young reader. Should hold their attention. Interesting subject matter and Emily is a cool kid.

[Ren nerdychampagne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this is a weird book. And not good weird for me.

First, can someone explain to me how Claudia Jones died in 1964 and published a book in 2006 athat had Google in it???

I feel like this wasn't written by her at all but whatever.

Also, the book didn't have proper copyright page and author's biography. Tell me about it.

Well, for the writing, it definitely felt like a thirteen year old rather than a fifteen year old girl. She's quite self-absorbed but just on a healthy level. And well, there's no denying it, Allison is a Bitch with a capital B.

The plot itself is quite interesting but there's something about the entire thing - plus the characters, I swear there's too many things off about these people I don't have enough energy to list them all down. And then the writing... felt very 20th century. I feel eight and reading a book from the library all over again.

Overall, this book is tolerable in general. I mean, it had its ups but for the most part, it was terribly boring. But if you're bored and running away from responsibilities like I am doing right now, then this is a good way to. I found a good quote or two and that's about it but the writing is good even through the boring flow of things. Really, her life is just not that exciting. But in the end, death is the one thing we're sure of but at the same time, is the one thing we're not sure of. Is it really the end or the beginning? Is it really our life or it all depends on the fates? Life is not about chasing death but rather, it is about riding out the storm.

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love this book..but its kidn fo complicated to explain but I 'm going to try..ummm..oksay..so its about a girl who knows how swim relaly well..but she seems to have dreams about drowning and in the dream she is a boy and dremas about how this guy died by drowning...and her aprents are worried about this..so they take her to theraphy..and the docotr says he has something..i don't rmember whts it called...soon she stops haveing the dream..but he is determined to find out about it...and she does some research...and she fidns that the boy who exsist in her dream is a reaL BOY ..BUT IS DEAD..BUT SHE IS ABLE TO CONTACT THE BOY'S BROTHER WHO ALSOWAS IN THE DRREAM..BUT TI OLDER now..and like she is sble to visit the fmaily ..and tlak to them about it..and thwe fmaily at first is terrified..and but think about thsi..does this have to do with recarnation ( thinks how u spell it)? hmm you got to fidn out..so read it !

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily keeps reliving uncomfortable situations like drowning, having terrible nightmares, and anxiety attacks. The problem is she does not know why. While it is difficult enough to deal with everyday problems at school, her unidentifiable fears keeping getting in the way of her living her life. But after she gets hypnotized in therapy, she realizes that her life before her current one is what has been giving her this trouble.
This book had a very interesting and enticing plot to it making you just want to keep reading. The personal narration and story line allows you to relate and make it a very enjoyable book to read. The overall story of this book is great, it evokes thought and emotion making it a fun book to read.

[jesse]

note to self:
kindle it? €5.21