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Dropping In
An action-packed middle-grade story that explores friendship, bullying, and living with a disability
Ian and Warren, better known as Sticks and Ranga, are best friends. They live on the same street, go to the same school and love the same things, like skateboarding and PlayStation. When new kid James arrives in class in his wheelchair, Sticks isn’t sure they can be friends. But Sticks quickly discovers they have a lot in common. Cerebral palsy stops James from doing some things but it hasn't dulled his sense of humor—and he’s pretty brainy, too. Soon James becomes an inseparable part of the Sticks, Ranga, and James show.
Ian and Warren, better known as Sticks and Ranga, are best friends. They live on the same street, go to the same school and love the same things, like skateboarding and PlayStation. When new kid James arrives in class in his wheelchair, Sticks isn’t sure they can be friends. But Sticks quickly discovers they have a lot in common. Cerebral palsy stops James from doing some things but it hasn't dulled his sense of humor—and he’s pretty brainy, too. Soon James becomes an inseparable part of the Sticks, Ranga, and James show.
- GenresDisability
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2015
3 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 18, 2025
I really liked the book, It was kind of refreshing for me because lately I was really deep into Harry Potter lore (yeah, I know nerdy), but this book was really nice
April 30, 2019
This book made me think about what determination does to us when James tells us: "I just want to be able to skate with you and Warren.". Ian and Warren are determined to give James the opportunity, and they eventually succeed - by getting a couch and attaching old scooter wheels to it. However, they end up crashing, and James gets severely injured.
The writer is teaching us about how we should be careful with our determination because accidents can definitely happen. In my opinion, we can go to high lengths with our determination, but we need to be cautious.
The writer is teaching us about how we should be careful with our determination because accidents can definitely happen. In my opinion, we can go to high lengths with our determination, but we need to be cautious.
April 29, 2015
Great book!
We purchased this for our High School library and was having a look while processing it and started reading - for a fast reader like me it didn't take long to finished but i really enjoyed it.
This book covers lots of issues facing kids including mates, disabilities, social works, schools...
I can see this book being popular with both boys and girls
We purchased this for our High School library and was having a look while processing it and started reading - for a fast reader like me it didn't take long to finished but i really enjoyed it.
This book covers lots of issues facing kids including mates, disabilities, social works, schools...
I can see this book being popular with both boys and girls
November 22, 2020
A short novel with themes of friendship, living with a disability and bullying. An accessible and appealing read for reluctant readers in upper primary.
August 16, 2021
so far I the book his friends have come over and they are just playing games. his friend is called ranga, ranga doesn't have many friends not many people like him aspeshily the main characters mum.
kinda boring so far but hopefully get better.
kinda boring so far but hopefully get better.
January 4, 2016
This is book twelve (12).
I was drawn to read this book by one thing from reading the description, the third main character; James has cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy.
Which is a type of physical disability. A.K.A. a type of Disability. A.K.A. James is a child with special needs. I.E. I teach children with special needs. A.K.A. children with disabilities. Like physical disabilities. Like Cerebral Palsy. Like James.
Anyway, I loved how boy-centric this story is. It kind of reminds me of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. And I loved how honest it is which reminds me of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. These are both great compliments, btw, because I loved both of those books to the core. I think Dropping In definitely passed my experiment because of these two books similarities to it.
This books is all about friendship and acceptance. I love how immediate Stick and Ranga's acceptance was of James and how much their friendship flourished. And how much of that same friendship builded each of the three characters' personalities and growth as a person (as they each found themselves and improve for the better).
The story and plot was incredibly simple but how it was put out and written flowed beautifully that I cannot count it as such with simplicity. It's amazing. Well done, Mr. Geoff Havel!
Happy Reading!
April 11, 2015
An enjoyable, easy-to-read story about two friends. One of the boys, Warren but known as Ranga, is hyperactive and accident-prone and as a consequence is often in trouble without meaning to. His best friend, who is telling the story is Ian, but known as Sticks.
They enjoy life and school and seem have few cares, other than improving their skateboarding skills. A new student, James, moves in across the road from Sticks, along with his parents. James has cerebral palsy and is dependent on a wheelchair to move around. Sticks is asked to show him around the school. Ranga and Sticks develop a friendship with James who likes to be as independent as he can. When James has to go into hospital for an operation, Ranga thinks of a way to welcome him home. His idea involves modifying an old couch by adding wheels to give James a taste of what skateboarding is like. Things do not go as planned with the surprise but there is a good end to the story.
This is a great story for lower secondary or upper primary school readers. The three boys are interesting and believable characters who could be seen in any neighbourhood or at any school. There are many different elements in the story, some include bullying, physical disability, the nature of friendship and family life. These are all woven into this satisfying story about three friends.
They enjoy life and school and seem have few cares, other than improving their skateboarding skills. A new student, James, moves in across the road from Sticks, along with his parents. James has cerebral palsy and is dependent on a wheelchair to move around. Sticks is asked to show him around the school. Ranga and Sticks develop a friendship with James who likes to be as independent as he can. When James has to go into hospital for an operation, Ranga thinks of a way to welcome him home. His idea involves modifying an old couch by adding wheels to give James a taste of what skateboarding is like. Things do not go as planned with the surprise but there is a good end to the story.
This is a great story for lower secondary or upper primary school readers. The three boys are interesting and believable characters who could be seen in any neighbourhood or at any school. There are many different elements in the story, some include bullying, physical disability, the nature of friendship and family life. These are all woven into this satisfying story about three friends.
February 24, 2018
Gifted to my 10yo nephew before he started skating. Author signing was dedicated to him with birthday wishes. Although I met author without boyo, maybe another time he can meet Geoff.
***13/02/18***
Since nephew started skating, I saw him re-reading it. I hope he doesn't find a sofa on the side of the road. He has a mighty hill in his street 😉
***23/03/16***
There's a hilarious scene with the boys riding a sofa down a hill that they attached skateboards to. The author got the scene from kids in his neighbourhood. And he has footage! which is equally hilarious- mostly cos the car at the bottom of the hill stopped in time to avert catastrophe. Sometimes teenage boys could do with using their brain in safer ways.
In the book one character has CP so he can't skate. His friends make the sofa-skateboard so he can feel what skateboarding is like.
***13/02/18***
Since nephew started skating, I saw him re-reading it. I hope he doesn't find a sofa on the side of the road. He has a mighty hill in his street 😉
***23/03/16***
There's a hilarious scene with the boys riding a sofa down a hill that they attached skateboards to. The author got the scene from kids in his neighbourhood. And he has footage! which is equally hilarious- mostly cos the car at the bottom of the hill stopped in time to avert catastrophe. Sometimes teenage boys could do with using their brain in safer ways.
In the book one character has CP so he can't skate. His friends make the sofa-skateboard so he can feel what skateboarding is like.
May 5, 2015
This book didn't really work for me. Overall I felt that the author tried to tackle too many issues and topics (cerebral palsy, bullying, friendships, relationships, social services, etc. etc.) that the story didn't feel like it flowed or had any sort of real plot. A bit too disjointed for my liking.
July 10, 2015
Good read from a West Australian author.
June 30, 2015
Great book, perfect for year 7 lit circles
August 27, 2015
A very realistic and well told story. I really enjoyed it. Suitable for Year 5 and above but best suited to Years 6 - 8.
October 7, 2015
This book was brilliant!
Please find my review at:
http://readingtime.com.au/dropping-in/
Please find my review at:
http://readingtime.com.au/dropping-in/
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews