Breaking Jumps

by Amy Han

"There was a fieriness in his eyes that made me want to back down. But so far, this had been a night of not being afraid. Of taking chances. So I was just going to come out and say it. Even if it meant he stormed off on me now and never wanted to speak to me again." When Jess met Ollie, her parents had just split and her only real purpose in life seemed to be being the wing-girl for her best friend, Tina. She wasn't looking for a boyfriend, or even a boy-friend, or even someone to talk to. She definitely wasn't looking for a boy with personal issues that could get them killed. But sometimes it's the things you aren't looking for that are the ones that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

130 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2014

About the author

Amy Han is a writer and founder of the creative writing studio, Words of a Feather.

She is the author of three novels for children and young adults, the most recent being The Yard Sale at Story House (2024).

She has also published collections of short stories and personal essays. Her work has been published internationally in print and online publications, and been recognised in local and national writing awards.

Amy lives in Melbourne, Australia.



amyhan.com.au
 | wordsofafeather.co

Reviews

[Miss Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not long enough... I found myself being drawn into the story - not just by the characters, the polot or even their histories but through the immediacy of the moment - feeling like it was a "now" tale which doesn't happen often for me. I was also pulled in by Melbourne - our City featuring like a character and not just a backdrop and being able to run with the characters as they played through the City. This (along with readign Kerry Greenwood's Phryne & Corinna)makes for a richer, deeper more connected feeling to the words. You can travel with them in a more visceral way.
I would love to read a longer story by Amy - I feel that she could go deeper, a richer more layered story if it were longer.
I also like the tying in of Bukowski's words and how Amy uses texture for feelings... a rawer more elemental way of being. Bukowski is not often viewed as being romantic or sentimental and I like how this book touches on this.

[Romain Hassanin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read. As a traceur myself, the author describes the sensations of parkour with precise words that can sometimes be difficult to describe. A great plot with emotional intelligence, makes you want to get to know the two main characters!