Sky Bounce

by Deanna Miller

Two secret friends from enemy races find their friendship tested and intensified into love when they're forced into opposite sides of an interdimensional and interplanetary struggle between fear and faith.

Winner of the Wilbur Award for Fiction, given by the Religion Communicators Council, an interfaith association.

Nominated for the Pushcart Press Editors' Book Award by Jean E. Karl, editor of books that won the National Book Award, Newbery Medal, and Edgar Allan Poe Award.

Field nominated by reviewers for the American Library Association's Best Books for Young Adults, Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, and Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers.

Hesper the Alula and her secret friend Tristan the Boytaur are forced to part sadly when Hesper is sent to the human plane to save the parallel planes of existence from possible destruction. A year later, as Hesper leads the life of a high school girl with no memory of her previous life, she meets a strangely familiar boy. Tristan has journeyed at great risk to find her, having learned a way to travel between the planes without losing his memory. They return to the Alula plane on a dangerous adventure to discover the real solution to the planes' troubles---as Hesper struggles all the while with her fear and her tender feelings for the friend who should be her foe.

Ages 10 and up.

Genres: Fantasy, Teen

210 pages, Paperback

First published December 21, 2013

About the author

Deanna Miller has worked as a cashier, ESL tutor, technical writer, nanny, editor, and stock trader. As a young person she loved reading uplifting fantasies like those by Madeleine L'Engle, so she decided to write a book in that tradition (Sky Bounce). She was bullied off and on from kindergarten through ninth grade, so she wrote a book based on her experience to help prevent bullied kids and teens from falling into despair (Time to Tell 'Em Off).

She also writes songs: www.soundcloud.com/peeky-blue

Her interests range from the nutritional research of Dr. Weston Price to the spiritual teachings of Eckhart Tolle and Florence Scovel Shinn. She loves babies, dogs, justice, freedom, and the arts (especially music). Deanna lives in Maryland with her beagle.

Reviews

[Deanna Miller]

Editorial Reviews

"A young adult novel that will be enjoyed by all. Sky Bounce is a mystical journey....Hesper gets sent to another dimension, but not before her best friend vows to one day find her....Can the dramatic changes between the two friends tear them apart? Or will the bond they share challenge all and rise above the differences? Although this book is geared more toward an audience of [young readers], I found it refreshing to read, and yes, the storyline does show that many can be racist without even knowing it." --Theresa Norman, ParaNormal Romance Reviews

"Since I'm not a huge fan of sci-fi, I thought I wouldn't like it. Ms. Miller taught me differently. The writing is crisp and clear, and [the author] will entrance readers with her story. It was a very enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it to young adults and their parents. Five stars." --Drue-Ann Hargis-Ramirez, Women on Writing

"A truly unique book....Not only is the storyline imaginative and fun, but it has a spiritual message that is greatly needed....Her characters are strong and seem very real....A masterfully creative tale." --Janean Nusz, Word Museum

"A quick, fun read....There are two main characters...from two different races, two different religions, and two different worlds. Despite these differences, they come together through love." --Kelsey Sands, Teen Reviewer, Voice of Youth Advocates

"I ought to have hated Sky Bounce. It is not my type of book at all....Instead, I was gripped and moved by Hesper and Tristan's relationship." --Michael Thorn, ACHUKA

"While a wholly original work, the themes of Sky Bounce remind this reviewer of A Wrinkle in Time. An exploration of other planes of existence and examination of the true essence of each being lends Sky Bounce remarkable philosophical and spiritual depth even as the story is just plain fun! The value placed on each plane's uniqueness and emphasis on fitting in makes for strong social commentary for the discerning reader. Miller's embracing of individuality and self-sacrifice makes for deep thinking....Sky Bounce comes very highly recommended." --Cindy Penn, WordWeaving

"A wonderful book about friendship and sticking together through hard times....I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about mythology." --Cindi Majoy, Teen Reviewer, Voice of Youth Advocates

"This book works great on two levels, with one level of superb fantasy storytelling fusing seamlessly into the fun romantic tension that propels the two characters' behavior....I also really loved the powerful spiritual undertones....I loved Sky Bounce, and highly recommend it to anyone of any age who likes good fantasy storytelling." --Rev. Marie Jones, Books for the Spirit, BookCrazy Radio, and BookIdeas.com

"An imaginative, fast-paced tale....With themes of friendship, exploration, rebellion, and idealism, it will resonate with youth who have a passion for the possible." --Kim Carter, Voice of Youth Advocates

"A well-paced, well-written fantasy....It explores the nature of friendship, loyalty, trust, and faith. The messages the author wishes to convey...become a seamless part of the whole. In that sense, it is similar to Madeleine L'Engle's works which offer her young readers much food for thought within a fantasy framework. This is a spiritually uplifting book for young readers with an interesting storyline." --Brenda Dupas, New Radiance Reviews

"This is a very readable tale that is difficult to put down until the last page is turned." --Brenda Ramsbacher, Scribblers, RIO Member, and Kristina Ramsbacher, age 13

"Engages the reader from the start....Enlivened with action, spiritual undertones, and the metaphors of growing up....Sky Bounce is the story of one girl's rite of passage and her struggle between conflicting values: duty and love, fear and courage, outside authority and the authority of the heart. In such a world, as in the real world, no action is without cost....Highly recommended." --Laura Pickford Ramirez, Family Matters! ezine

"I'm not a fantasy reader, but I still liked it a lot....I would recommend this book to anyone at the junior high or high school reading level who likes fantasy or at least fiction." --Shane Bell, Teen Reviewer, Voice of Youth Advocates

"This is the most enchantingly realistic novel this reviewer has read in a very, very long time!...Put this author on the list....And lest we limit ourselves by the Young Adult classification of this author's advertisement, include her on your adult 'to be read' list soon!" --Viviane Crystal, Crystal Reviews

"Intriguing, heart-warming, and very moving. This fantasy tale strikes the reader straight in the heart....Ms. Miller enchants readers with this sweet, romantic, and confidence-building story that young adults will identify with and enjoy....For children ages 10 to 18, young adults will find encouragement and support in this tale and parents will enjoy reading it with them." --Tracey West, Road to Romance Reviews

"A wondrous tale of fantasy and religion....It is a story of longing, spirituality, denial, travesty, and hope....What I really enjoyed about this tale was the interaction between the main characters. Sure, they get stuck in a bad situation, but they never give up hope that they can somehow solve their problems." --Conan Tigard, The Reading Nook

"There is plenty of symbolism and underlying meaning here for the teens to explore as they read this well-written story of friendships and responsibilities and of looking inside themselves for answers." --Barry Hunter, The Baryon Review

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a different plane of existence, Hesper the Alula and Tristan the Boytaur are secret friends, even though their species are supposed to have nothing to do with each other. Late at night, they like to go flying, with Hesper and her wings supplying the wing power, and holding on to Tristan, a four-legged centaur. The leaders of Hesper’s people find out, and, as a punishment, Send Hesper to the human plane. The barriers between the planes of existence are weakening, and the only way to fix it is to Send Alulas to the human plane. The downside is that those who are Sent lose their wings, and all memory of their previous lives.

A year later, Hesper is your average high school student. One day, she meets an interesting boy in a wheelchair who likes hang gliding. Tristan has found a way to travel between planes and keep his memory. He just had to give up some other part of his body, like use of his legs. Hesper is reluctant to accept that she may have had a previous life with wings, but accept she does. The two travel to another plane, called the Barren Plane, where supposedly nothing lives. They meet a race of light beings called Dyaphinees, who tell Hesper that the Sending of Alulas to the human plane, is not the solution, but the problem. Hesper also discovers, to her shock, that her friend Tristan is not exactly who he says he is.

This is a young adult novel that is not just for young adults. It’s fresh, interesting, very easy to read, and well worth the reader’s time.

[Conan Tigard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deanna Miller spins a wondrous tale of fantasy and religion in Sky Bounce. It is a story of longing, spirituality, denial, travesty, and hope. The two main characters are highly likable and the storyline moves along at a good pace. I found all three planes intriguing, although the human plane is the one we live in.

I was hoping to find out more about the Barren plane, while the Alula plane sounds like a beautiful place to visit. The religious part of the book is not preachy and can be viewed as part of their everyday lives. What I really enjoyed about this tale was the interaction between the main characters. Sure, they get stuck in a bad situation, but they never give up hope that they can somehow solve their problems.

Overall, I quite enjoyed Sky Bounce by Deanna Miller and would recommend it to any young adult reader who is looking for a little light fantasy reading.

I rated this book an 8 out of 10.

[Andie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe how amazing this book was! It is one of the best stories that I've ever read! It's full of intrigue and love and emotion and surprise, and many, MANY wonderful gifts. I think that everyone should read this book at least once in their lives. I'm going to read it over and over for sure. In fact... maybe I will start reading it again right now!

[Michael Fierce]

* Cover by Janet Chui!

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hesper & Tristan are friends, but part whe Hesper is "sent". Hesper has a new life on Earth & the new boy looks familiar. Traving between planets to help with the Alulo's trouble.

[elissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has some very interesting ideas, and I'd actually like to give it a 3 1/2. Reminded me of Meredith Ann Pierce, but not so dark, and also somewhat of Madeleine L'Engle (as the author says).

[Aelvana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hesper, a winged Alula, is not supposed to know someone like Tristan, the Boytaur. The female Alulas hold themselves strictly separate from the male Mantaurs, but Hesper has made friends with one. When Hesper stumbles across something she shouldn't have seen, she is sent to the human planes. Tristan vows to follow her, but crossing planes has its own hazards.

I wish I didn't have to wince writing out that description. Boytaur? Mantaur? Just . . . no. They should've had a name like Alula, something that could hint at species without being so clunky. The racial division is also a gender division, and the revelation partway through of how they manage to propagate was also rather strained.

That said, this was otherwise what I had expected: a light fantasy/romance between a winged girl and a centaur, spread out between multiple parallel planes of existence. Traveling between the planes has its cost, and isn't something done lightly.

The overall dilemma works better between Hesper and Tristan than the threat of things that blend the various planes. The big picture stuff tends to be vague and has a similarly vague conclusion, but the tension between the two of them against the world plays out pretty well.

Overall this is not a bad read, but it's hard to get past some things like the naming conventions. I rate this book Neutral.

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