Freefall: A Powerful Young Adult Novel About Army Service and Elite Combat Training

by Anna Levine

What would your life be like if military service was compulsory, not voluntary?

Aggie is eighteen and getting ready to do her service for the Israeli Army. She could get a cushy assignment—maybe pushing paper somewhere—or she could just take her chances. Only, Aggie isn't like that. Despite her small size and the fact that she needs to gain weight to even make the grade, and despite the total disbelief of her entire family (except her grandmother, who is an old freedom fighter and don't you forget it), Aggie is trying out for an elite combat unit.

Ben—Aggie's crush of the moment—isn't at all convinced that she's making the right choice. Shira, Aggie's best friend forever, is bewildered (and perhaps a bit too interested in Ben). Then there's Noah. And the serendipitous snow. And a good-bye kiss that turns into, well, a real kiss.

Luckily for Aggie, her backbreaking, sand-in-mouth, completely-lost-in-the-desert training produces an unlikely friends. The kind she never imagined she could have. The kind you'd go to war with—and for.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Israel, Military Fiction, War

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2008

About the author

FREEFALL (Greenwillow/HarperCollins) won the Sydney Taylor Honor’s Award the same year that JODIE’S HANUKKAH DIG won a Sydney Taylor Notable Award. Jodie has gone on to discover many new archaeological sites in Israel. Spring 2015 is the third in the series where Jodie goes to a park near Jerusalem, loses her dog Digger, discovers a wine press from the First Temple period and succeeds in rescuing her dog. RUNNING ON EGGS (Front Street/Cricket was on the NY Public Library’s best book list in the year 2000), I have also published short stories and poems in magazines and won the SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for both short stories and poetry. Most recently two poems were published in YARN (The Young Adult Review Network). I'm presently working on an adult novel, SURROGATE SISTERS, which is set in Montreal, Quebec. Will keep you posted!

Reviews

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was completely surprised at how much I enjoyed reading Freefall. From the get go Anna captured my attention with her vivid descriptions of the sites and sounds of Israel, from the sweltering heat in the country, to the sites and sounds of the city, mixed in with the descriptions of the smells of spices and baked goods. It's not very often I have the chance to read such a realistic book, set in the country of Israel and narrated by a strong female character who wants to be apart of an elite Israeli paratrooper group.

In country where threats from terrorists and rumors of war are a daily part of life, I was quickly thrust into the fears and normalcy of Aggie's life. When sirens are blazing to head the warning of bombs being dropped, Aggie's mom is making brownies. It's that mix of war's daily occurrence in Aggie's life, that captured my attention more. It's not uncommon for Aggie to see soldiers with their guns hanging from their shoulders around town and on the buses. Freefall isn't all about war, but it's realistic approach to life in Israel is what really drew me in. I felt an instant connection to Freefall's characters, whom I really loved getting to know.

Aggie is such a wonderful teen heroine, who is trying to find her place in a world that full of hopes and fears. When Aggie sets her mind to do something, she does it. Despite the fears her parents and sister have about her being in active duty, who Grandmother who served her country in active duty support her decision, as does her best friend's older brother Noah. I loved the sweet romance between Noah and Aggie. In fact, I craved more than I got. That's not a bad thing, but with being such a quick and engaging read, Aggie's story wasn't just a love story, as it was about her finding the strength to fulfill her desire of being apart of an elite team.

War changes anyone who's been through it, and Aggie gets a taste of the camaraderie that comes with trusting those you serve with, with your life. I really enjoyed reading about the weekend boot camp she attends, as it's her first test to see if she has what it takes to eligible for active duty. With other girls, Aggie has to prove she can handle all situations, and it's there she not only finds her strength, but she mets and befriends another favorite character of mine, Lily. Lily adds spunk to the story, as she was born in Israel, and moved to the US, and moved back to join the Israeli army.

Aggie's voice is no different than many teen girl voices. She has friend and boy drama, she worries about normal teen stuff, and though war is a constant threat in her daily life, she's a very real, relatable character. I absolutely loved getting to know her and though I liked where her story ended, I also wanted more. The setting was unique and one I really enjoyed. Don't let the cover fool you into thinking it's a silly love story, as it's not. It's a wonderful read that readers will connect with as Aggie expresses her concerns about love, life, friendship, and her thoughts and feelings with life and being a 17 yr old and making her mark on the world.

I love this quote from Aggie: "There are moments in life when you have to jump. You throw yourself into the atmosphere hoping you'll land right, hoping your parachute will open and ease your fall. If you're lucky, you'll have a crowd of onlookers waiting on the ground to greet you. Some chutes glide with the wind until you land effortlessly. Others get caught up in the turbulence and the ride down to earth is bumpier, the landing harder. The thing is you never know how it'll be until you step out and take the chance." - page 250
I highly recommend picking Freefall up.

[Kait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freefall is a surprisingly good book and I was amazed at how quickly I got into it. I hadn't heard much about it before I picked it up and after reading it I honestly don't know why. This book needs to get some more attention. It's one of the best young adult books I have ever read and I don't think it has gotten the attention it deserves.

Aggie Jacobs is just about to start her time in the Israeli army and she has no idea what she wants to do. She could get a desk job like most people but it doesn't feel right to her. What she really wants to do is get into an elite combat unit. Too bad nobody believes she can do it. She knows she's much smaller than the other girls trying to earn a spot but she also knows that she is a lot more determined. It's going to take a lot more than sandbags and desert heat to make her give up her dream.

From the very first page I was drawn into Aggie's world. The descriptions of Israel were beautiful and so vivid. I know very little about Israel but Anna Levine made it feel like I had lived there my whole life. I could picture every last grain of sand in the desert and practically smell the exhaust from the bus leaving Aggie behind at her first boot camp. I didn't want to leave the world that Anna created and Aggie lived in.

Aggie was another reason I loved this book so much. She was brave, strong, funny, and so real. She knew it was unlikely that she would make it into an elite combat group but that didn't make her give up. It made her stronger. She worked even harder than the other girls because she knew they had the advantage of being bigger than her. I have read tons of books but out of all of them Aggie is the easiest heroine to connect to. She's just trying to find her place like everyone else is.

Overall, I don't think I can do justice to Freefall. I've only mentioned a few things that I loved about it but if I went on I don't think I would ever stop. Anna Levine is a masterful storyteller and Freefall is a wonderful book that I can't recommend enough. (Oh and I absolutely adored Noah and Lily!)

[Simcha Lazarus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freefall is a sweet coming-of-age story about a teenager girl who struggles to define herself and find her place in the world in a country where kids are forced to face adult responsibilities at an early age. This is a story that will resonate with anyone who remembers the uncertainties and awkwardness of being a teenager, despite the foreign setting of the story.

Aggie is a strong and likable heroine who is easily believable and is surrounded by a colorful cast of side characters who are each memorable figures in their own right. Aggie's grandmother is former freedom fighter who glories in telling tales about how the country used to be. Lily, Aggie's new friend from field training, uses humor and sarcasm to get herself through the grueling military testing. And there is Noah, the quiet, guitar playing soldier who has attracted Aggie's interest and is so different from his theatrical sister Shira, Aggie's best friend. Each of these characters felt solid and real and left me wanting to know more about their individual stories.

Though I particularly liked Freefall for the personal reason that it so perfectly reflects the Israel that I know and love and wish that everyone else also recognized. People have all kinds of strange ideas as to what it's like in Israel and they focus on the terrorist attacks and the gun-totting soldiers, as if it's a constant war zone here. But Israel is a beautiful country made up of an exotic mix of cultures and for the most part life here is the same as anywhere else (except that we don't have Sundays off, which is real drag). Those gun-totting soldiers are really just teenagers who deal with the same issues and anxieties as teenagers world-over, which Levine so well demonstrated through Aggie, Lily, Noah and their friends. And while the wars and terrorist attacks are horrible and frightening devastating these are also the times when people's best qualities are brought out, as Levine demonstrates as well.

The only complaint I have about freefall is that I wish it were longer and and I do hope that Levine plans to continues Aggie's story in another book. It's a relatively light and easy read, one that I finished in just a couple of hours (during which time I didn't put it down at all) but left me fully satisfied. I particularly enjoyed the ending because it reminded me of something similar that had once happened to a friend of mine.

Freefall is a book that I would highly recommend to both teens and adults. It's charming and entertaining and offers readers a unique glimpse into the life of an Israeli teenager.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I was struck with how much uncertainty teens in Israel live with in regard to their future. When it's mandatory for all to join the military for a period of time, how do you make plans and choices about your future prospectives and your relationships with family, friends, and loves?

I thought the romantic elements in this story were great. Aggie and Noah spend so little time together during the course of the story but each interaction was satisfying and had enough substance to carry you toward their next meeting. Their interactions were sweet, awkward (in a nice, first love kind of way), hesitant, and filled with yearning for more. For most of the book, they walked that fine line between friends and more. There was always that sense of "is there something special happening between us?" hanging in the air when they were together. The author also did a nice job of incorporating other character's comments and observations to provide additional support for their romantic connection (e.g., Shira saying she hardly sees her brother but when she does he always asks about Aggie, Jonas saying that anyone who knows Noah will know about Aggie, Noah's mom mentioning to Aggie that Noah was home even when she came over to see Shira, etc...). Those extra touches help to reveal the strength of their attraction to one another even if they aren't admitting to each other yet.

[Melissa Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aggie is an Isreali citizen and she is preparing to begin her complusory two years of service in the army. Her parents assume that she will take a nice, safe position where she can “use her brain.” Aggie has other plans, however, and decides to seek entrance into an elite female combat unit.

Aggie makes it through a grueling three day training, but just when she returns home, war breaks out between Isreal and Lebannon. Frustrated that she isn’t yet in a position to help, she goes north into the thick of the fighting to help a new friend.

Levine’s premise is interesting and fresh and I was originally excited to pick up Freefall. Parts of the novel met my expectations, especially when Aggie goes to her original training test. Descriptions of the rocket ravaged area of Isreal where Aggie ends up are similarly gripping. In the end, however, Levine relies too much on coincidence. It strains credulity, for example, to believe that Aggie would happen to be dressed for a wedding and volunteering at the very hospital where her love interest is sent after being injured in battle.

By glossing over the ramifications of being a frightened teenager about to enter a war and focusing instead on Aggie’s love life, Levine’s novel falls to deliver the punch it could have had.

[Sarah BT · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a bit to get into this book, but once I did, I found the story so engaging. The story seems to start right away, without much backstory about teens in Isreal and required military service, so I found myself doing some research online to understand the backstory more.
The plot makes it seem like the whole book will be about Aggie in the military, but only a small part takes place with Aggie in her combat unit. The story is more about Aggie growing up and deciding what to do now that she's 18.
Even though Aggie is a teen in Israel, her story is one that can resonate with teens everywhere. She has difficulty with her family, she has doubts about her abilities, and she’s unsure about the future.
It’s easy to feel as though you’re there with Aggie as she’s struggling with her decisions and you want her to make it. The touch of romance with Noah added sweetness to the story and made Aggie’s tale seem even more real to me.
Highly recommended for readers looking for a different take on the familiar coming-of-age tale.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

YA done right. everyone else should go back and rewrite their books. the language is realistic but not overly stupid and teenager-y. the story is a nice balance of serious real life and serious-at-the-time i-like-boys drama. i could have done without the prelude, especially since it seemed corny and clumsy (and therefore unlike the rest of the book). and, hell, the girl wants to be hardcore, i'm down with that. i also thought the book did a particularly good job of dealing with the fact that the serious real life is israel at war and showing the everyday in a crisis is still the everyday. the side observation about the suicide bombers and the cookies, for instance.

but in general, it's a nice breath of 'oh right, YA can actually be done right'.

[brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah. Just got done reading "FreeFall". I only chose the book because I was at the library and needed to get going grabbed the first book that looked interesting. I was afraid this book was going to be boring but I really got into it and I am glad I chose it! It was written perfect for my interests! I wish their was more to read!

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile] · Rating 2 out of 5]

How would you react if military service was compulsory and not voluntary? In war-torn Israel, Aggie faces two years of service. She can choose to spend her two years at a desk job pushing papers around, or volunteer for an elite combat unit. She chooses the latter, despite being too skinny to make the cut. Can she survive? Or will she back out?

I—I just don't know what to think about this book. It's an intriguing look into the life of an average girl living in Israel, but at the same time I got nothing from it. No read on Aggie's character beyond boy crushes and giggling and whining about how hard it was but a general girl-power attitude of "I can do it!" I had no idea why she wanted to be in a combat unit (she says she wants to do something, but I just don't know). No read on the other characters, who alternate between numbers and people. Lots of rando non-sequitors in the conversations (meant to mimic real speech?).

There's absolutely no sense of the passage of time. You know that it's happening, but don't know how fast or how slow. Does her "elite girl boot camp" (with 9 other girls) take a week? Two months? Three days?

I'm also very confused about the military portion of everything. I get it, other countries do military different, but the girls showed absolutely no respect to their commander and seemed to receive very little training beyond learning to stand at attention, some cursory map-reading skills and running sandbags up and down hills. No talk of weapons training. No combat-oriented . . . anything really . . . while the guys are depicted wearing camo paint and going on week-long field ops. It's boot camp for the Girls Scouts, minus selling cookies. And there's very little explanation of what she's doing and why it's set up like that (why do the girls volunteer? why is their boot camp only staffed by three people and why are they scribbling on note pads all the time?!?!).

Perhaps I'm jaded. Perhaps I'm judging it too harshly. I don't know. I just couldn't get into it, particularly the main character's utter naivity and general blah-ness. There's the making of a really good story here, but it just doesn't give enough background or detail on anything.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

For her compulsory army service, an Israeli girl tries out for a combat parachute unit and heads up north to help a friend during the Second Lebanese War. Romantic interest, great characters, about growing up and figuring out what kind of person you are/can be.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

kinda terrible

[Katieb (MundieMoms) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was completely surprised at how much I enjoyed reading Freefall. From the get go Anna captured my attention with her vivid descriptions of the sites and sounds of Israel, from the sweltering heat in the country, to the sites and sounds of the city, mixed in with the descriptions of the smells of spices and baked goods. It's not very often I have the chance to read such a realistic book, set in the country of Israel and narrated by a strong female character who wants to be apart of an elite Israeli paratrooper group.

In country where threats from terrorists and rumors of war are a daily part of life, I was quickly thrust into the fears and normalcy of Aggie's life. When sirens are blazing to head the warning of bombs being dropped, Aggie's mom is making brownies. It's that mix of war's daily occurrence in Aggie's life, that captured my attention more. It's not uncommon for Aggie to see soldiers with their guns hanging from their shoulders around town and on the buses. Freefall isn't all about war, but it's realistic approach to life in Israel is what really drew me in. I felt an instant connection to Freefall's characters, whom I really loved getting to know.

Aggie is such a wonderful teen heroine, who is trying to find her place in a world that full of hopes and fears. When Aggie sets her mind to do something, she does it. Despite the fears her parents and sister have about her being in active duty, who Grandmother who served her country in active duty support her decision, as does her best friend's older brother Noah. I loved the sweet romance between Noah and Aggie. In fact, I craved more than I got. That's not a bad thing, but with being such a quick and engaging read, Aggie's story wasn't just a love story, as it was about her finding the strength to fulfill her desire of being apart of an elite team.

War changes anyone who's been through it, and Aggie gets a taste of the camaraderie that comes with trusting those you serve with, with your life. I really enjoyed reading about the weekend boot camp she attends, as it's her first test to see if she has what it takes to eligible for active duty. With other girls, Aggie has to prove she can handle all situations, and it's there she not only finds her strength, but she mets and befriends another favorite character of mine, Lily. Lily adds spunk to the story, as she was born in Israel, and moved to the US, and moved back to join the Israeli army.

Aggie's voice is no different than many teen girl voices. She has friend and boy drama, she worries about normal teen stuff, and though war is a constant threat in her daily life, she's a very real, relatable character. I absolutely loved getting to know her and though I liked where her story ended, I also wanted more. The setting was unique and one I really enjoyed. Don't let the cover fool you into thinking it's a silly love story, as it's not. It's a wonderful read that readers will connect with as Aggie expresses her concerns about love, life, friendship, and her thoughts and feelings with life and being a 17 yr old and making her mark on the world.

I love this quote from Aggie: "There are moments in life when you have to jump. You throw yourself into the atmosphere hoping you'll land right, hoping your parachute will open and ease your fall. If you're lucky, you'll have a crowd of onlookers waiting on the ground to greet you. Some chutes glide with the wind until you land effortlessly. Others get caught up in the turbulence and the ride down to earth is bumpier, the landing harder. The thing is you never know how it'll be until you step out and take the chance." - page 250
I highly recommend picking Freefall up.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Levine, Anna. 2008. Freefall.

I am about to jump. I am about to jump wearing a full load on my back. Feet, knees, hip, back, roll. Crammed tightly, the pack is stuffed with my anxieties, fears--and army-issued parachute. It is secured to my chest with strings and clasps. It hold my heart in place, should it try to break free. When the time is right, I will yank the cord. At that moment, the pack will open. My fears will rise to the dome of my chute, where they will hover. And for a moment I will be free of them. Feet, knees, hip, back, roll.

I loved the opening of Freefall. It was a nice introduction to our heroine, Aggie, and her situation--she's an Israeli woman embarking on a new phase in her life: serving her country as a paratrooper. The book is set in Israel. And it features Aggie and her friends and family. Every person--man or woman--is required to serve their country for several years. It doesn't mean that all people see active combat duty, but for some it does. Aggie's family wants her to be assigned a desk job; a job where she'll be as safe as anyone can be in these dangerous days where terrorists can wreak havoc on ordinary citizens in their homes, schools, and workplaces. But Aggie...Aggie is considering joining an elite paratrooper troop (or are they called squads?). Regardless of the term, Aggie is considering active duty, something that will challenge her physically, mentally, and emotionally. The book is about more than army training--far from it--it's about life: friendship, family, and love. Aggie is falling for the brother of one of her best friends. And he just happens to be a solider.

What I enjoyed about Freefall is that it gives a new perspective. I don't know about you, but I don't come across many books set in Israel narrated by female soldiers, books that provide a unique take on what it is like to live in a country where the threat of terrorists or war (some threat or another) is always lurking. While there are elements that will more exotic to readers, there are many elements that will feel familiar--her thoughts, feelings, and concerns about friendship and love and life.

I liked Aggie, and you may like her too.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't let the cutesy cover fool you on this book.

As an 18 year-old girl living in Israel, Aggie is already gearing up for her two years required service in the Israeli army. Her parents are sure she'll make the 'smart' choice and opt for a safer position - hopefully somewhere way behind the scenes, pushing paper. But small, stubborn Aggie has other ideas. She wants to join a combat unit. No one seems to understand Aggie's bizarre choice - not her best friend Shira, who is hoping for fame and fortune and a spot on the entertainment squad and certainly not her self-righteous sister Hila, who can only see the benefit of her own humanitarian service. With only her Grandmother's tales of 'the old days' in her ears and her army issued pack on her back, Aggie sets off for a grueling three-day boot camp and further scrutiny. Under the watchful gaze of their tough commander, Aggie and her fellow recruits make the best of their extreme physical trials while forming lasting bonds with girls from all walks of life.

It's upon her return home however that Aggie finds herself truly facing the realities of war. Feeling frustrated that she hasn't yet received her assignment from the government, Aggie jumps at the chance to travel north where her fellow boot-camp friend, Lily's, town has been bombed with hopes of being able to help.

Freefall is a short novel but one I'd be happy to dive back into without hesitation. The smells of the home-cooked spicy food, the sweltering desert sun, the rhythm of music -- it all became so very vivid in just the brief time I spent with Aggie. Her compelling first-person narrative refuses to be anything but honest yet still retains that effortless quality of a young woman sitting down to confide in her best friend. Best of all, Aggie could be any teenager ready to move into the 'adult' world but unsure of their place in it. Anna Levine's prose strikes the right balance between scary real-life exposure to war, funny cultural anecdotes and a touch of romance to keep any reader engaged and flipping the pages.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aggie Jacobs doesn't look like the type of girl who would choose a combat unit for her required military service in the Israeli army, but that is exactly where she wants to be. She is small and definitely under the weight requirement, but she wants to be useful not stuck as a secretary in a military office somewhere. Most of all she wants to prove to herself and to everyone around her that she is stronger than she appears. Battling fatigue, challenging obstacles, and a relentless desert, Aggie discovers more about herself, and friends who will challenge her and believe in her even in a war.

First let me say that this was a fantastic read. I have been reading tons of paranormal, fantasy, and science fiction lately and this was a welcome relief. This was just what I needed in a nicely executed piece of realistic fiction.

Aggie is a fascinating character, and I wish I could know her better. At times her motivations baffled me, but she was determined and strong, something I love to see in female protagonists. She wanted to be useful, and do something everyone else thought she couldn't do. She wanted to prove herself, not just to everyone else, but to herself as well. My only regret, is that I wanted to spend more time with Aggie as she goes through basic training and pursues her goals in the Israeli military.

This was a short, fast read, and one I was loath to put down. I actually finished this book in less than a day. I loved the description of her training tests in the desert and wished we could spend more time with the military training. The girls in her training group were funny and wonderful--especially Lily. Again, my only regret was that this book wasn't longer. It left me wanting more, which all good books do.

If you like realistic fiction and military stories, I would highly recommend this book. Aggie is a strong female character with a lot of guts and tenacity. A great book.

Cautions for sensitive readers: Some drinking.

[Paige (Arya) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Military presence is a very strong factor for young Israelis. Brothers, sisters, boyfriends, and besties are pulled into compulsory service as soon as they finish high school. But not everyone has to be a fighter. Aggie's mother would have her doing something in an office, cool and safe, but Aggie, a dancer, isn't sure she wants to spend the next two years of her life doing paperwork. The only person who encourages Aggie is her bestfriend Shira's brother Noah. As Aggie's feelings change for Noah, her heart is faced with even more decisions.

Aggie soon finds herself in the middle of the desert toting sand bags alongside a group of other girls. Blood, sweat, and tears form strong, unbreakable friendships. Later, when one of those friends is in trouble, Aggie realizes that she has to make her own choices. Nobody can do that for her.

Freefall is a beautifully written, heartfelt novel that left me smiling through tears. There are stories that you enjoy, and then there are stories that leave a permanent mark in your heart. Sometimes there are characters that you feel a real, solid connection to. This was one of those books.

Anna Levine is a truly brilliant writer. Her characters hardly seemed fictional at all. They were real, living breathing people. Alot of times I say characters were believable but that isn't the case here. These characters are real. I almost expect to see pictures of them all in the back of the book. Aggie, her grandmother, Noah, and Lily were probably my favorites. I don't think I will ever forget them.

The only problem I have with this novel is that its too short! Its one of those books that you can't stand to put down, but you cringe as you see the stack of pages to the right getting smaller and smaller. I seriously think I could have picked it up and read it all over again as soon as I finished. It doesn't really matters what kind of novel you like, there is no way you could not love this book.

~Review by Arya @ A Sea of Pages (http://seaofpages.blogspot.com) <---Check it out!

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen for TeensReadToo.com

What would you do if you were required to serve two years in the military once you've turned 18?

Aggie's eighteenth birthday is approaching, and as a teen in Israel, she must serve her time in the Israel Defense Force. Aggie doesn't want a boring job stuck in an office filing paperwork for two years. So she decides to try for a combat unit.

Aggie's mother is scared and sees her as weak, her friends aren't quite sure about her decision, and Aggie herself has her doubts about if she can really make it hauling sandbags, sleeping in a tent, and gaining enough weight to be considered. She's also developing a crush on her best friend's brother, and life is getting more and more confusing by the minute.

When war breaks out and rockets destroy a friend's house, Aggie decides she needs to be there to help out. But will she be brave enough and strong enough to make it through?

FREEFALL is an engaging look at teens facing military service.. Aggie may be in Israel, but her story is one that can resonate with teens everywhere. She has difficulty with her family, she has doubts about her abilities, and she's unsure about the future. It's easy to feel as though you're there with Aggie as she's struggling with her decisions and you want her to make it. The touch of romance with Noah added sweetness to the story and made Aggie's tale seem even more real to me.

Highly recommended for readers looking for a different take on the familiar coming-of-age tale.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would your life be like if military service was compulsory, not voluntary? For 18-year-old Aggie, life is pretty stressful. Sure, she's got the normal teen girls things going on - crushes on boys, hanging out with her best friend - but she's also trying to decide which military service to join. Will she be happy pushing pencils at a desk for the next two years? How about auditioning for the entertainment corps with her best friend? No... Aggie's got something different in mind: an elite combat group. But does she have what it takes to get in? And if she does get in, is it what she really wants?

The interesting concept and likeable characters will hook teens who will find a lot to think about and discuss in this book. This would make a great book discussion title or conversation starter and it's sure to spark an interest in Israel. Hand this one to kids who wonder about teens in other parts of the world.

Read more on my blog:
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/200...

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts off with Abigail who has to decide what she wants to do in military service. She's trying to decide what she wants to do and what others want her to do. She has to go through many challenges before she understand what she wants to do and where she belongs.

Abigail was someone who knew what she had to do and didn't let others put her down. She knew that it wasn't going to be easy to accomplish what she wanted but that didn't mean that she just gave up. Her determination was something that I really liked and also the way she looked at things.

The reader also gets to know more about a country that we may have heard of before but don't really know much about it. I was glad to see that the way they lived. The characters were teens like any other who just happened to live in this country and knew they has to serve it.

This book was different to what I had read before. It took place in a country I didn't know much about and during these times. I would really recommend this book to others!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aggie lives in Jerusalem where it is mandatory that everyone, boys and girls alike, serve two years in the army when they turn 18. They are given some choice about what sector of the military they will serve in: entertainment, office, combat, Navy SEAL... although there is no guarantee they will be given what they choose. Aggie decides that it is important to her to prove herself and applies for a combat unit. While going through the testing and the period after, she learns a lot about herself, boys, friends, family, fear, war, and peace.

It is great to find a book with a strong female character who is also allowed to display fear and uncertainty. In addition the setting is the conflict in Israel which is so current and timely, but doesn't get too bogged down in political bias.

As a final note, I really appreciated the way that the author tied together the beginning and ending of the book. Very clever!

[Sandra]

An eighteen-year-old Israeli girl decides to try out for a combat team for women as she prepares for her two year mandatory service in the army. She does very well in the training exercise to choose the young women for this elite team. Aggie needs to gain weight but she aces everything else. While she is waiting for the final word, has a romantic encounter with her best friend's brother. He is already serving in the army and involved in a flare-up in Lebanon. Life in a country surrounded by enemies is the setting for this novel, which is quite informative for those of us who are lucky enough to live in a country where bomb shelters aren't a necessity.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freefall was an interesting read because it is set in a place that I don't generally read much about - Modern Israel. It is essentially a coming of age story as the main character, Aggie, struggles to join an elite combat unit despite the fact that she is not physically the type who generally does so. Through her trials, she discovers a lot about her own physical strength as well as beginning to identify her personal beliefs. She makes new friends and rounds things out with a sweet romance. As an American reader, I sometimes found that the author used terms that I was not familiar with a couple of times, but overall it was a great immersion into Israeli life.

[Cheryl-Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast fast read. Cute book with some lessons taught. What would it be like to live where military service was mandatory? I liked this a lot because I think of people living in Jerusalem as being like they are in the scriptures- lame of me I know. I think whenever I travel to other countries it is strange to think I am in a such and such country because everything seems so normal. This book gave a sense of "normal" life in Israel for an 18 year old girl. Nothing deep- but I enjoyed it.

[Salsabrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't fully what I expected. I thought it was a book about a teenager serving in the Israeli military but Abigail is really just getting her toes wet with a boot camp tryout. This is more about being on the cusp of a new phase of life and trying to make sense of her place during uncertain times. A good addition to the number of books for young people about life in the Middle East.

[Chris Eboch]

An excerpt from American Library Association's review of Freefall: “Levine…writes with immediate, vivid detail… in this stirring…first-person present-tense narrative about cosmetics and kissing, as well as courage and conflict.” -- Booklist of the American Library Assn.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an okay story, but I never felt like the characters came to life more than typical cardboard cutouts. It's set in Israel and is trying to be a love story mixed with a coming of age girl-power story, but didn't seem to quite do either one well.

[Ruthie Sellers · Rating 4 out of 5]

was suprised at the turn this book took. I assumed (and should not have) that the book would be more military based when in fact, the last half of the book takes place with her as a civilian. nevertheless, i did enjoy it.

[Amy Gerstein · Rating 1 out of 5]

just don't like it...

I was assigned to read this and write and essay about how it expanded my jewish learning but now after reading it it was just about romance and training to get into the army

DONT GET THIS BOOK!!!!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levine creates a lovely coming of age story that includes the unique twist of compulsory military service for the Israeli army. The tension within Aggie's family and within her country heighten the story, but ultimately, the strength of the tale is the normalness of the emotions she experiences.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Adult Fiction.