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Jump the Cracks
Angry that her dad (once again) fails to be at the train station when she arrives in New York City, fifteen-year-old Victoria has had it with her divorced parents and their broken promises. Earlier on the train ride, Victoria witnesses some rough treatment towards a little two-year-old boy. Victoria then watches as his teen mom stashes her son in the bathroom and exits the train. When Victoria spots the mom arguing with a guy over what appears to be drug money, she makes a split second decision. She boards the next train out, taking the toddler with her. Victoria's determined not to let this kid fall through the cracks so she resolves to stay on the run until everyone responsible starts keeping their promises. In this fast-paced thriller, the action revolves around a frustrated but strong-willed teen girl who finds herself as both rescuer and abductor of a child at risk.
207 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2008
17 people are currently reading
654 people want to read
About the author
Stacy DeKeyser
10 books63 followersPraise for
How to Catch a Polar Bear
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"Funny and heartwarming" -- Booklist
"Hilarious" -- KIRKUS
Praise for The Rhino in Right Field :
"A solid home run" -- Booklist
"A winner in every way" -- KIRKUS starred review
Praise for The Brixen Witch :
"Fresh and satisfying." -- KIRKUS starred review
"Just right for reaffirming one's belief in the power of story." -- BOOKLIST starred review
"Funny and heartwarming" -- Booklist
"Hilarious" -- KIRKUS
Praise for The Rhino in Right Field :
"A solid home run" -- Booklist
"A winner in every way" -- KIRKUS starred review
Praise for The Brixen Witch :
"Fresh and satisfying." -- KIRKUS starred review
"Just right for reaffirming one's belief in the power of story." -- BOOKLIST starred review
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
April 7, 2009
I plowed right through this book, as I do most books that I like. It was hard for me to give this book 5 stars at first since it was so short, but at the end of the day that's what the book deserves. Admittedly, a lot of the plot is given away if you read the summary, but that didn't bother me since I still couldn't put the book down. I liked Victoria, even if she whined at times. She is determined to do the right thing and to keep her promises. When she finds Wills she promises to keep him safe and refuses to have him be one the kids that "fall through the cracks". Even when you get frustrated at her because she has just gotten herself into more problems you know it's the only thing she could do if she plans on keeping her promise to Wills. I liked how the book showed that there's always two sides to the story and that it also depends on how you look at situations. It shows how easily you can get into problems when you thought you were fixing them and what the meaning of a promise really is. The relationship that Victoria and Wills develop is so real and at the end sad. You know how it will probably end, and like Victoria you hold out hope for the best. A great short read.
January 28, 2009
This isn’t a review because I didn’t finish the book. I can’t review a book I didn’t finish. I also can’t finish a book I don’t want to—doesn’t happen often, but here you have it—and I also can’t leave it on my pile as it’s here for a review.
Therefore, here you have it: the explanation.
Positive:
The writing didn’t suck. It was competent enough.
William (or whatever his name ends up being) is portrayed quite well. You know, for a two-year-old whose words vary from “Da” to “’Lo”.
Everything else:
It’s not that the book is horrid. It just didn’t move. Nothing you didn’t already know from reading the back copy happens. The plot didn’t suck—it was simply poorly executed. As were the characters. As was the dialogue. This book would’ve benefitted from a lot of tightening, reevaluation of how plausible the plot was, and a pinch of excitement. Seriously—think of someone stuck in a desert for, say, three days, no water, no food, no anything. A little, itty bit of water would go a long way there, right?
But the single most annoying this was Victoria. She wasn’t likeable, and she wasn’t even intriguing to make up for it. She was whiny. Whinywhinywhiny, so much that if angst could be converted into energy power, a single minute of her suckier-than-thou attitude would, like, power Satan’s playpen for eons.
All of which would probably be filled with more of her incessant crap. >.<
Implausible plot, impatient me.
ETA: If the plot kinda sorta sounds like something you might want to read, Caroline B Cooney's Hush Little Baby was good, if I remember correctly. (Read it about three years ago. So if it sucks, it's my seventh grade taste at fault.)
Therefore, here you have it: the explanation.
Positive:
The writing didn’t suck. It was competent enough.
William (or whatever his name ends up being) is portrayed quite well. You know, for a two-year-old whose words vary from “Da” to “’Lo”.
Everything else:
It’s not that the book is horrid. It just didn’t move. Nothing you didn’t already know from reading the back copy happens. The plot didn’t suck—it was simply poorly executed. As were the characters. As was the dialogue. This book would’ve benefitted from a lot of tightening, reevaluation of how plausible the plot was, and a pinch of excitement. Seriously—think of someone stuck in a desert for, say, three days, no water, no food, no anything. A little, itty bit of water would go a long way there, right?
But the single most annoying this was Victoria. She wasn’t likeable, and she wasn’t even intriguing to make up for it. She was whiny. Whinywhinywhiny, so much that if angst could be converted into energy power, a single minute of her suckier-than-thou attitude would, like, power Satan’s playpen for eons.
All of which would probably be filled with more of her incessant crap. >.<
Implausible plot, impatient me.
ETA: If the plot kinda sorta sounds like something you might want to read, Caroline B Cooney's Hush Little Baby was good, if I remember correctly. (Read it about three years ago. So if it sucks, it's my seventh grade taste at fault.)
November 8, 2012
Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com
What would you do if you saw a child with someone you deemed as an unreliable and uncaring mother?
Victoria is faced with this problem, as while she is at the train station she witnesses a mother verbally abusing her son, and later getting into an argument with a man.
Usually, most people would see such a situation and shake their heads. With Victoria, not only does she notice the trouble that the boy's life could possibly be in, but she takes action by taking the boy, Willis, from his mother.
Together they go on an adventure, not toward New York where she had originally planned to go to be with her father, but to Georgia.
As their journey continues, Victoria and Willis faces numerous obstacles, from threats to calls from those wondering about her actions, to the fact that she just kidnapped a child, even though she had good intentions. The longer they are on the road together, the larger the impact they have on each others lives and the more dangerous their adventure grows. The right actions just turn out to be wrong in other people's eyes.
Stacy DeKeyser takes us on a journey of someone who sees themselves as weak but whose actions are powerful. Just from the fact that Victoria's family life isn't perfect we understand that she does not want the same fate for Willis. And yet we still must question whether it was the best idea. Two unlikely characters come together and create a bond that is heartwarming and incredible.
JUMP THE CRACKS is an amazing novel and readers need to jump on the bandwagon and experience an adventure that will make us wonder: "What would we do in this situation?"
What would you do if you saw a child with someone you deemed as an unreliable and uncaring mother?
Victoria is faced with this problem, as while she is at the train station she witnesses a mother verbally abusing her son, and later getting into an argument with a man.
Usually, most people would see such a situation and shake their heads. With Victoria, not only does she notice the trouble that the boy's life could possibly be in, but she takes action by taking the boy, Willis, from his mother.
Together they go on an adventure, not toward New York where she had originally planned to go to be with her father, but to Georgia.
As their journey continues, Victoria and Willis faces numerous obstacles, from threats to calls from those wondering about her actions, to the fact that she just kidnapped a child, even though she had good intentions. The longer they are on the road together, the larger the impact they have on each others lives and the more dangerous their adventure grows. The right actions just turn out to be wrong in other people's eyes.
Stacy DeKeyser takes us on a journey of someone who sees themselves as weak but whose actions are powerful. Just from the fact that Victoria's family life isn't perfect we understand that she does not want the same fate for Willis. And yet we still must question whether it was the best idea. Two unlikely characters come together and create a bond that is heartwarming and incredible.
JUMP THE CRACKS is an amazing novel and readers need to jump on the bandwagon and experience an adventure that will make us wonder: "What would we do in this situation?"
May 18, 2018
Books aren't my favorite thing in the world but this one stood out to me. This book was very interesting, it a fiction book, for young adults. I think the author wrote this to show kids what can happen if you are alone. Travelling is scary by yourself as a teenager. That's why I would say it's for young adults because I can relate. Also with all the kidnapping going on it makes sense. I think the title of the book somewhat fits the story. I think it makes sense because you’re jumping the cracks of life. As in taking risks and jumping ahead to do stuff on your own.
My book is arranged by chapters. Every chapter starts off different. At the beginning something starts off immediately. So far the chapters that I have read have started off with onamonapia. I like how they have been starting off because it's something interesting every time. I think that Stacy DeKeyser really put great description into her book about how Victoria sees her life with her parents living in different houses and being so far apart. Dekeyser also makes it obvious that Victoria is a caring person. It shows because she's trying to help the little boy she called Wills out by not falling through the cracks.
The books cover explained a lot of what is going on. She is walking through the bars that swing to check you in. All through this book she is on a train going to the city. The picture is blurry so I feel that something bad is going to happen. The main character (Victoria), affects the story in a good way. By that I mean she makes the story make sense. She on a train to go see her dad and every thing she sees is bad in her eye. She is making the worst out of everything. Which kind of goes with the scene because she is by herself and things will be scary because she is nervous and anxious.
If I had to choose an argument that the author gives off it would have to be about the kid and the mother. I say that because some people would argue that Vitoria had no business watching and following that mother. Me on the other hand think what she is doing is right. I say that because she is trying to save the kids life. The fact that the mother left bruises all of the baby and just left it while she went places is terrible. What makes this book good to me is the suspense. By every chapter end in a questioning suspense. It always leaves you thinking what's going to happen next. Also the beginning of every chapter starts off eye locking.
What makes this book good to me is the suspense. By that I mean every chapter end in a questioning suspense. It always leaves you thinking what's going to happen next. Also the beginning of every chapter starts off eye locking. Your locked in with the chapter already. I enjoyed this book a lot. That is why I give this book 4 stars. I didn't get to finish the whole book but from what I read it was very entertaining. I could relate to it in a bunch of different ways. The story never got boring and that's what I look for in book because who would want to read a boring book?
My book is arranged by chapters. Every chapter starts off different. At the beginning something starts off immediately. So far the chapters that I have read have started off with onamonapia. I like how they have been starting off because it's something interesting every time. I think that Stacy DeKeyser really put great description into her book about how Victoria sees her life with her parents living in different houses and being so far apart. Dekeyser also makes it obvious that Victoria is a caring person. It shows because she's trying to help the little boy she called Wills out by not falling through the cracks.
The books cover explained a lot of what is going on. She is walking through the bars that swing to check you in. All through this book she is on a train going to the city. The picture is blurry so I feel that something bad is going to happen. The main character (Victoria), affects the story in a good way. By that I mean she makes the story make sense. She on a train to go see her dad and every thing she sees is bad in her eye. She is making the worst out of everything. Which kind of goes with the scene because she is by herself and things will be scary because she is nervous and anxious.
If I had to choose an argument that the author gives off it would have to be about the kid and the mother. I say that because some people would argue that Vitoria had no business watching and following that mother. Me on the other hand think what she is doing is right. I say that because she is trying to save the kids life. The fact that the mother left bruises all of the baby and just left it while she went places is terrible. What makes this book good to me is the suspense. By every chapter end in a questioning suspense. It always leaves you thinking what's going to happen next. Also the beginning of every chapter starts off eye locking.
What makes this book good to me is the suspense. By that I mean every chapter end in a questioning suspense. It always leaves you thinking what's going to happen next. Also the beginning of every chapter starts off eye locking. Your locked in with the chapter already. I enjoyed this book a lot. That is why I give this book 4 stars. I didn't get to finish the whole book but from what I read it was very entertaining. I could relate to it in a bunch of different ways. The story never got boring and that's what I look for in book because who would want to read a boring book?
November 7, 2015
I now know why this book is one of my friends' favorites. It was really good and I very much fell in love with Wills. A nice story about promises and a girl who tries to do the right thing for a baby.
December 10, 2018
One of my top 5 favorite books!! 💙
August 10, 2018
Jump the Cracks is an unexpectedly enjoyable story about a young girl who sees a child abandoned by his mother and takes it upon herself to make sure he gets out of this situation better than the way he was left. This story is immediately immersive, and try as I might I could never guess what would happen next.
This is nowhere near an astounding book, mostly, I feel because it wasn't particularly impactful to me, but for something I'd never heard of that I just stumbled upon at the library, it was a fun ride and a tale to remember. For a short, "real life problems" kind of YA Contemporary, I would recommend Jump the Cracks.
I will have to check whether Stacy DeKeyser has any other books available because I am interested in reading more from her.
This is nowhere near an astounding book, mostly, I feel because it wasn't particularly impactful to me, but for something I'd never heard of that I just stumbled upon at the library, it was a fun ride and a tale to remember. For a short, "real life problems" kind of YA Contemporary, I would recommend Jump the Cracks.
I will have to check whether Stacy DeKeyser has any other books available because I am interested in reading more from her.
May 28, 2019
Victoria's parents are divorced and she never sees her dad. So, she gets on a train to go see him. I would want to see my dad if I barely ever saw him. On the train, there is a teen mom with a kid. The kid doesn't get treated right and Victoria notices. I would want to do something but I'd be scared. Eventually, the mom leaves the kid in the bathroom to go with her boyfriend. So Victoria takes the kid and decides to try and find him a home. I think that is a good thing for her to do. I hope that she will be able to find him a safe home.
November 25, 2021
I started this book mildly interested, curious to see how a teenager got her hands on a toddler and running from the law. But then, as I read, things for wilder and wilder and made me want to tell at the main character but with every danger I was right there. I liked the unfinished,realistic ending. We don't need to know everything. The main characters story has been told and her therapy, which was in the form of taking care of a kid she felt represented her, was comolete. She grew up and matured I'm a matter of days and the metaphors and conclusions drawn in this book we're wonderfully constructed. I enjoyed the read! An exciting adventure that's not too long and drawn out and the right amount of high stakes.
May 20, 2019
Actual rating, more of like a 3.75. Close enough to 4 I guess.
I read this book fairly quickly. In pretty much a few hours (sure, it took five days but I only read it whilst commuting on the subway, which added up to a few hours.)
Anyway, I didn't expect it to be as good as it was, nor did I expect to get as engrossed in the story as I did. So that was a pleasant surprise. Now while, I did enjoy this book immensely, it didn't blow my mind or alter my world, so I'm not going to give it some glowing five star review. But for what it was, I will say that I think the book did an excellent job.
In this book, we get a few day snapshot of Victoria's life, a teenage girl who feels kind of lost an forgotten after dealing with her parents' separation, and her dad moving out following the divorce. Things have been messy lately, and she feels like they're letting her fall through the cracks, so when she sees a toddler who is in jeopardy of falling through the cracks, and circumstances get crazy, she makes the split second decision to look after him, which accidentally turns into her taking him.
I can relate to Victoria, because I've been in a few situations where a parent is exasperated and their child is acting out, and they simply lose their patience, and I often think that perhaps I could do better. Beyond that, this book hits somewhat close to home, because it tells a story of a girl trying to look out for a small child in danger of falling through the cracks, because "the system" just isn't capable of ensuring that every single child is well cared for. My childhod was a it of a mess, and whie it could have been much worse, it ould have been much better, and to some degree, I feel like I was one of those kids that fell through the cracks, because the system wasn't able to do things about the particular mess that I was in.
This book does touch on that fact, fairly extensively, and discusses how often, children remain with their biological parents, even though there might be a better caretaker present who would love that child and raise them better. This book details how often, the system can't remove a child from their birth parent unless there's VERY obvious indicators of abuse. Unstable situations, verbal abuse, neglect and the child being around criminal activity, none of that is enough sometimes to warrant revoking custody without very obvious evidence of abuse. In my particular situation, there was no obvious evidence of abuse, because it wasn't ever physical. But it can mess a kid up just the same, and in this particular story, it's obvious even from what little we know that Wills (the kid) is in danger, and that though his mother might love him, she's clearly not equipped to be what I would consider a "good" parent.
Overall, I thought that the discussion of that was what really made this book. And I loved that in the end, Victoria learned all kinds of lessons about parenting and things from her short time trying to protect this child.
I also really enjoyed Victoria's character. While I feel like she could have been fleshed out more, I also think that would have required the book to be a bit longer, in order to delve into her past and her character more. And honestly, I feel like the plot wouldn't have lent itself to a longer book, or if it had, the plot would have started to drag. So ultimately, I guess that I feel like given the short nature of this book, there was just enough development to tell the story. Sure, there could have been more, but I felt like it was enough. And I actually LIKED Victoria. I felt like she was strong and compassionate. She was also determined and smart. There were moments where I would know what she should do . And eventually, she'd come to that conclusion, and make a good decision. She was also very responsible when it came to actually physically caring for Wills, like changing him and feeding him, and keeping him occupied, dealing with him if he was fussy. Sure, she got overwhelmed caring for a toddler at a few moments, but honestly, she did a better job that I probably could have. And overall, I really admired her conviction, her dedication to trying to help this child that she didn't even know, despite the fact that she was knowingly getting herself into more trouble.
My only gripe with this book is the ending. I feel like everything was wrapped up pretty quick, and while we do get a few epilogue style pages detailing what happens after Victoria returns, I felt like there could have been more.
I read this book fairly quickly. In pretty much a few hours (sure, it took five days but I only read it whilst commuting on the subway, which added up to a few hours.)
Anyway, I didn't expect it to be as good as it was, nor did I expect to get as engrossed in the story as I did. So that was a pleasant surprise. Now while, I did enjoy this book immensely, it didn't blow my mind or alter my world, so I'm not going to give it some glowing five star review. But for what it was, I will say that I think the book did an excellent job.
In this book, we get a few day snapshot of Victoria's life, a teenage girl who feels kind of lost an forgotten after dealing with her parents' separation, and her dad moving out following the divorce. Things have been messy lately, and she feels like they're letting her fall through the cracks, so when she sees a toddler who is in jeopardy of falling through the cracks, and circumstances get crazy, she makes the split second decision to look after him, which accidentally turns into her taking him.
I can relate to Victoria, because I've been in a few situations where a parent is exasperated and their child is acting out, and they simply lose their patience, and I often think that perhaps I could do better. Beyond that, this book hits somewhat close to home, because it tells a story of a girl trying to look out for a small child in danger of falling through the cracks, because "the system" just isn't capable of ensuring that every single child is well cared for. My childhod was a it of a mess, and whie it could have been much worse, it ould have been much better, and to some degree, I feel like I was one of those kids that fell through the cracks, because the system wasn't able to do things about the particular mess that I was in.
This book does touch on that fact, fairly extensively, and discusses how often, children remain with their biological parents, even though there might be a better caretaker present who would love that child and raise them better. This book details how often, the system can't remove a child from their birth parent unless there's VERY obvious indicators of abuse. Unstable situations, verbal abuse, neglect and the child being around criminal activity, none of that is enough sometimes to warrant revoking custody without very obvious evidence of abuse. In my particular situation, there was no obvious evidence of abuse, because it wasn't ever physical. But it can mess a kid up just the same, and in this particular story, it's obvious even from what little we know that Wills (the kid) is in danger, and that though his mother might love him, she's clearly not equipped to be what I would consider a "good" parent.
Overall, I thought that the discussion of that was what really made this book. And I loved that in the end, Victoria learned all kinds of lessons about parenting and things from her short time trying to protect this child.
I also really enjoyed Victoria's character. While I feel like she could have been fleshed out more, I also think that would have required the book to be a bit longer, in order to delve into her past and her character more. And honestly, I feel like the plot wouldn't have lent itself to a longer book, or if it had, the plot would have started to drag. So ultimately, I guess that I feel like given the short nature of this book, there was just enough development to tell the story. Sure, there could have been more, but I felt like it was enough. And I actually LIKED Victoria. I felt like she was strong and compassionate. She was also determined and smart. There were moments where I would know what she should do . And eventually, she'd come to that conclusion, and make a good decision. She was also very responsible when it came to actually physically caring for Wills, like changing him and feeding him, and keeping him occupied, dealing with him if he was fussy. Sure, she got overwhelmed caring for a toddler at a few moments, but honestly, she did a better job that I probably could have. And overall, I really admired her conviction, her dedication to trying to help this child that she didn't even know, despite the fact that she was knowingly getting herself into more trouble.
My only gripe with this book is the ending. I feel like everything was wrapped up pretty quick, and while we do get a few epilogue style pages detailing what happens after Victoria returns, I felt like there could have been more.
November 15, 2011
Starting out as a girl named Victoria who went out to New York finding her dad to finally meet again after the divorce that happened between her dad and mother. After all those nagging about going to meet her dad, her mother finally letted her go since she was finally 15. When she got on the train that is when she met something that changed her life, not a boyfriend or a husband going-to-be, but someone so tiny she named him Little guy before they even knew each other. She saw little guy as a very small kid that was very annoying at first, then as she realized he was quite cute and sweet as a little kid. little guy's mother didn't like holding little guy around an figure to leave him in the behind in the train with absolutelly no one he knew, but Victoria had a heart to help. Victoria took care of this little guy, because she overheard the conversation between the mother and little guy's father Jake who is abusive to little guy. Victoria lived with little guy to protect him and her father in NYC. Soon little guy told her his name was william and they were living together for a while until Jake found out Victoria had william the whole time, so she was charged of kidnapping. She was forced to be separated from william under any circumstances, but she at least know that now william will have his loving mother back who didn't meant to leave him behind in the train station and the mother left Jake due to the massive abuse she decided to leave him. Victoria's summer was over in NYC, but she still remembered everything as her best memories.
I thought Victoria will be a very good mother when she grows up if she was an actual person in life. Only if there was such kind people to little kids like William, because most people i recognize of will bring him to the police station and back to the abusive father. I will never be as kind as Victoria, because if i was her i wouldn't have helped this little guy, since i have my things to do. I will help in some ways, but i cant help completely like let him live with me or anything since my mom would freak out if she figure there was a random kid at home. I thought it was a cute story, because everything other than Jake was non violance and more of caring and loving. I would recommand this to many teenage mothers to learn to let go of abusive fathers and just take care of a child on their own instead of relying on people that doesn't deserve to be a child's father due to abusiviness. Also i thought it will be a very nice book for everyone to read, because it tells how a typical teenagers life like ours can be so untypical. It was a very fun book to read, most of all it helped me get through my time in the subway or should i say the setting where this book all started from. :)
I thought Victoria will be a very good mother when she grows up if she was an actual person in life. Only if there was such kind people to little kids like William, because most people i recognize of will bring him to the police station and back to the abusive father. I will never be as kind as Victoria, because if i was her i wouldn't have helped this little guy, since i have my things to do. I will help in some ways, but i cant help completely like let him live with me or anything since my mom would freak out if she figure there was a random kid at home. I thought it was a cute story, because everything other than Jake was non violance and more of caring and loving. I would recommand this to many teenage mothers to learn to let go of abusive fathers and just take care of a child on their own instead of relying on people that doesn't deserve to be a child's father due to abusiviness. Also i thought it will be a very nice book for everyone to read, because it tells how a typical teenagers life like ours can be so untypical. It was a very fun book to read, most of all it helped me get through my time in the subway or should i say the setting where this book all started from. :)
May 20, 2016
A very quick, yet still worthwhile read. I read it all in two sittings; I would've read it in ONE, but I had to go to Driver's Ed -__-
The writing style isn't out-of-this-world or unique, like many look for in a book, but it's real and it's very in-tune with its narrator, that of a 15 year old girl with Daddy issues (I can relate).
The situation is very realistic and the reactions and decisions our main lead Victoria make would more-than-likely be the very same ones we ourselves would make if we had enough drive, balls, and conviction to do them.
This story is basically Victoria's tale (the main character) of her desire to make sure that the neglected little boy she meets on the Amtrak does not have to suffer from crappy parenthood of his mother and the obvious disregard for his needs. It is not chock full of shocking abuse like A Child Called "It" , but it still gets its message across that there are people out there who neglect their children, and sometimes, well, sometimes a stranger needs to take that child by the hand and raise a ruckus so people realize that "Hey, there's a child being neglected and abused over here!"
Though I wouldn't recommend doing that if you see a mother yelling at her 2 year old for swiping oranges from its pyramid... lol
The writing style isn't out-of-this-world or unique, like many look for in a book, but it's real and it's very in-tune with its narrator, that of a 15 year old girl with Daddy issues (I can relate).
The situation is very realistic and the reactions and decisions our main lead Victoria make would more-than-likely be the very same ones we ourselves would make if we had enough drive, balls, and conviction to do them.
This story is basically Victoria's tale (the main character) of her desire to make sure that the neglected little boy she meets on the Amtrak does not have to suffer from crappy parenthood of his mother and the obvious disregard for his needs. It is not chock full of shocking abuse like A Child Called "It" , but it still gets its message across that there are people out there who neglect their children, and sometimes, well, sometimes a stranger needs to take that child by the hand and raise a ruckus so people realize that "Hey, there's a child being neglected and abused over here!"
Though I wouldn't recommend doing that if you see a mother yelling at her 2 year old for swiping oranges from its pyramid... lol
October 12, 2008
Victoria has HAD IT with adults lying to her and breaking promises. Her dad's been letting her down ever since he moved to New York, ever since he left their family. And he wasn't there to meet Victoria's train from Connecticut. And she needed him to be there. If he had been there, maybe she wouldn't have been in such a mess. Maybe she wouldn't have taken the toddler whose mother left him in the bathroom on the train. Maybe he could have helped her figure out what to do. But he wasn't there and now Victoria is on her own with a two-year-old to take care of and a man threatening her because he thinks she stole his money. But whatever happens, Victoria's made a promise to this kid. She won't let him fall through the cracks.
I picked up this novel and didn't want to put it down. Although the premise is somewhat outlandish, Victoria felt really real to me. She's idealistic and passionate and stubborn, but she knows that she can't take care of a two-year-old forever. She reaches out for help and keeps reaching out, even when the adults around her disappoint, until she finds someone she can finally trust.
Read more on my blog:
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/200...
I picked up this novel and didn't want to put it down. Although the premise is somewhat outlandish, Victoria felt really real to me. She's idealistic and passionate and stubborn, but she knows that she can't take care of a two-year-old forever. She reaches out for help and keeps reaching out, even when the adults around her disappoint, until she finds someone she can finally trust.
Read more on my blog:
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/200...
January 9, 2015
While taking the train to visit her dad in New York City, fifteen-year-old Victoria sees a young mother abuse her child. When she tells the conductor, he brushes it off as a cranky baby and tired mother. When the train arrives in New York, the woman closes the toddler in the train bathroom and leaves him there while she meets a man at the station.
Victoria rescues the toddler and plans to enlist her dad's help when he picks her up at the train station. Only her dad isn't there to meet her. Another in a string of broken promises.
When the train leaves the station, Victoria and the toddler go with it. Accused of kidnapping and sought by the police, Victoria refuses to bring Wills back until her dad and the police promise not to return him to his mother.
DeKeyser has written a fast paced thriller about a child in danger and a girl who is determined not to let him fall through the cracks, thus putting herself in danger as well. Although there is a slight hole in the plot, the suspense and Victoria's stubborn devotion to doing what is right - even if it means doing what is not legal - makes a very good story.
Victoria rescues the toddler and plans to enlist her dad's help when he picks her up at the train station. Only her dad isn't there to meet her. Another in a string of broken promises.
When the train leaves the station, Victoria and the toddler go with it. Accused of kidnapping and sought by the police, Victoria refuses to bring Wills back until her dad and the police promise not to return him to his mother.
DeKeyser has written a fast paced thriller about a child in danger and a girl who is determined not to let him fall through the cracks, thus putting herself in danger as well. Although there is a slight hole in the plot, the suspense and Victoria's stubborn devotion to doing what is right - even if it means doing what is not legal - makes a very good story.
June 5, 2018
I appreciated how this book covers one moment in time, one choice made with not-enough information and the outcome therein. All characters -from the unfortunate young mother in a tough situation, to Victoria's semi-negligent father, to Victoria's stolen ward Wills- is written with sympathy and kindness and a slight shine of humor. There's a bit of a car chase going on, which is also believable, but some of the other elements -like a large stash of cash, a perfect-seeming 'auntie' to Wills, and an aggressive boyfriend- read like a 90s feel-good drama. What I struggled with most, however, was Victoria's preoccupation with her parent's divorce. It felt dated, especially since today's young people often have a LOT more to contend with than splitting parents (though I'm sure this looms large in youth's lives, the topic just doesn't that much urgency compared with dealing w/social media, sexuality and gender, school shootings and the rest.) Despite my critique, the topic certainly grabbed me, so I'm guessing teens will be compelled by it as well.
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May 26, 2010Victoria lives with her mother she hates where she lives. She is going to New York to visit her father. Her father never cared for her or looked up to her. Her mom is making her visit her dad.Her mom is also so caring for her alwayz wants her to call after or before she goes or arrives somewhere. Victoria rides the bus to ny she is too mad because her dad forgot to pick her up so she decides to stay at the train so that they worry about her. But the surprise is that she founds a little kid that is left behind, she doesnt know what to do about it. So she is trying to do anything to get him back and then she finds that the boy have no dad that they are getting divorced and left behind. The police is after her for kindnapped and she doesnt know what to do next. Her parents dont know whats going on. You have to read to find the rest of the story. I reccomend this book to anyone that likes reading.mystery books. I really found it so interesting and hard at the beginning.!!!!!!!!!
September 4, 2016
Its not the typical young adult novel. Victoria has heart where others would give up. And although I probably wouldn't do what she did I could, to some extent, understand why she did it. She learns so much during the course of the book - although its only a few days. She learns that things aren't so cut-and-dry, her life isn't really so awful, and that promises are harder to keep then she thought.
I felt for both her and Wills, who is an unbelievably great kid. Victoria didn't seem like a strong character at first to me. As things get harder however, she has to draw out her own strength to do what she thinks is right and that is to save Wills from falling though the cracks.
A very touching, heartfelt book.
And one last thing. I am so glad that a romance wasn't just stuck in for no good reason.
I felt for both her and Wills, who is an unbelievably great kid. Victoria didn't seem like a strong character at first to me. As things get harder however, she has to draw out her own strength to do what she thinks is right and that is to save Wills from falling though the cracks.
A very touching, heartfelt book.
And one last thing. I am so glad that a romance wasn't just stuck in for no good reason.
January 19, 2017
This was a thrilling and exciting book about a young teenager named Victoria, who goes to New York City on the train, to meet her father and stay with him for a month. However, she takes some twists and turns once she arrives at the train station, to see that her father is late. On the way to New York, she sees a young mother treating her baby very poorly, resulting in bruises on his face. She does not do anything about the situation until she sees the women put the baby in the bathroom and gets off the train. Victoria then acts and takes the baby. The story goes on in many directions and is a roller coaster of emotions and events. I would rate this book a 3.5 stars out of 5, because it was fun to read, but it was a little predictable. I recommend this book to all teenagers and young adults.
April 7, 2013
I happened to meet Stacy DeKeyser yesterday, which reminded me that I'd read and blogged about her book Jump the Cracks a few years back.
"DeKeyser shows a lot of control of her material and her plot. As I was reading, I'd think, Why doesn't Victoria do X? Sure enough, she did. Why doesn't Y happen? And it did. Victoria almost spends too much time dwelling on her dad's failings, but her angst over her parents' divorce and her father's absence from her life is motivation for some of her action.
A better adjusted teenager from an intact family might have left that poor little boy on the train."
Excerpt from Original Content
"DeKeyser shows a lot of control of her material and her plot. As I was reading, I'd think, Why doesn't Victoria do X? Sure enough, she did. Why doesn't Y happen? And it did. Victoria almost spends too much time dwelling on her dad's failings, but her angst over her parents' divorce and her father's absence from her life is motivation for some of her action.
A better adjusted teenager from an intact family might have left that poor little boy on the train."
Excerpt from Original Content
December 11, 2015
I think that Stacy DeKeyser really put great description into her book about how Victoria sees her life with her parents living in different houses and being so far apart. Dekeyser also makes it obvious that Victoria is a caring person. It shows because she's trying to help the little boy she called Wills out by not falling through the cracks. When Victoria is taking the trains to different city's to get Wills away from Jake that shows how brave and mature she is to be trying to keep Wills safe by herself. It kind of sucks that there is nothing Victoria can really do but bring Wills back and just hope he doesn't get put in the care of his mother or Jake. Overall I thought this book was a great read and I would recommend it to any of my friends.
December 19, 2012
Awesome book! I would give this book five stars. A fifteen year old girl, Victoria is taking a trip to NewYork to see her father. Tragic things happen while she is on the train going to new york. There is also a little boy on the train that she ends up taking care of all by her self. She is going all around the world with her and this little boy, while her dad is in NewYork panicking. All she wanted to do was keep her promise to this little boy and not let him fall through the cracks and go back to his abusive teen mother. This story is very suspenseful and full of surprises. It was definitely a book i would recommend to anyone! You can not keep your hands off the book.
August 2, 2020
I like this story and it messes with your emotions in such a way You won't really know what to really think until the end. Confusion, distrust, fear, helplessness, hopelessness. That is up until that one point when Victoria's head is being messed with so much by (The man that was harassing the mother.) While this book was exciting and high paced I do recall it being a little predictable. With that being said that it's predictable it is normal human behavior. (I don't know.) The care she gives to the boy is really good and does have some really interesting twists in the story. I want to bring it out there that Victoria's character is really set up well, lively, and believable.
September 16, 2008
I want to believe that people are inherently good. The older I get, however, the harder it is to keep that faith. I found myself cheering for the protagonist in this story--even as I feared that her actions would put into motion a series of events that could not be undone. I love that the author doesn't try to tie up every string and tidy all the lose ends. There are ramifications to every action--ripples from the stones tossed into the water.
December 3, 2012
This book was VERY fast read it was a shorter book but had a lot of detail and a lot of activity going on throughout the entire thing. I found it extremely difficult to put the book down. I ended up finishing it in roughly four hours!
February 15, 2016
When the writing blurred, and the hot tears started to fall, I knew I couldn't quit. Fortunately, the novel is short, and I had a few hours to read. It was such a compelling story that I had to stick with it to the end. I'm glad the end was messy like it would be in real life.
September 28, 2018
I recommend this book to all people in my grade (9). I could not stop reading this book and could not put it down. This book is filled with a lot of suspense and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. This book is a must read for all.
Want to read
March 27, 2008Released March 2008
August 16, 2009
A great young adult book. Reinforces the helplessness of babies and toddlers and their dependence on responsible adults to take care of them. Renews faith in the basic goodness of teenagers.
September 4, 2009
i didnt like how it ended but it was a really touching story on responsibility
October 28, 2009
A book club book. An easy enough read that makes you wonder who is really slipping through the cracks.
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