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Flight Risk
Who is Robert Jackson Kelly? Is he a juvenile delinquent? A criminal mastermind? A folk hero? One thing is clear: Robert always defies what people think of him. And now, the kid who failed at school, relationships, and almost everything in life, is determined to successfully steal and land a plane.
Told as an investigation into Robert’s psyche, the narrative includes multiple points of view as well as documentary elements like emails, official records, and interviews with people who knew Robert. Ultimately, Flight Risk is a thrilling story about one teenager who is determined to find a moment of transcendence after everyone else has written him off as lost.
Told as an investigation into Robert’s psyche, the narrative includes multiple points of view as well as documentary elements like emails, official records, and interviews with people who knew Robert. Ultimately, Flight Risk is a thrilling story about one teenager who is determined to find a moment of transcendence after everyone else has written him off as lost.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published July 18, 2017
8 people are currently reading
863 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Fenn
2 books45 followersI'm a graduate of Lycoming College and Rosemont College's MFA program. I live with my husband, daughters and Scottish terrier in Downingtown, PA.
9 Things About Me:
1) I've run a marathon and a few half-marathons! I'm proud I finished a marathon, but I prefer the half!
2) My favorite movies are "Fight Club," "Ghostbusters" and "Clueless." I have entire scenes of "Ghostbusters" completely memorized.
3) I didn't get my driver's license until I was twenty years old and still can't parallel park.
4) I eat my cereal every morning without milk.
5) I've traveled to Europe, Asia and South America. Can't wait to add Africa to the list!
6) I worked as a seventh grade Language Arts teacher for several years before becoming a full-time writer. My favorite part was teaching Jerry Spinelli's "Stargirl" and co-managing the school-wide talent show!
7) I'm terrified of corn fields. There could be evil children lurking in there!
8) I've been both sky and scuba diving. Both were an unforgettable adventure!
9) In seventh grade, I began spelling "Jenn" with two n's, never imagining I would later marry a "Fenn."
But I've learned to love my rhyming name!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
February 5, 2017
Robert Jackson Kelly is the perfect anti-hero. Some see him as a folk hero, others a juvenile delinquent. And while you can’t help but root for him, I was desperate to see Robert get the help he so sorely needed. Fenn is never heavy handed, telling Robert’s story from the very beginning and subtly revealing the many ways his small town, parents, teachers, and peers have let him down until stealing planes becomes his one defining moment. The writing is beautiful. Robert’s story will stay with me for a long time.
June 12, 2017
Once I started reading, I couldn't put this book down. The way this story is told and the way the author switches povs, grabs you from the start and keeps you reading and cheering on Robert every step of the way. This book was exactly what I wanted it to be and can't recommend it enough.
April 13, 2017
So... This book. It's one of those that I'm not sure I would have read on my own had I not heard such amazing things (I'm a fantasy reader). But I'm so glad I did!!! Also, two words: the cover. Gorgeous.
What really intrigued me to no end was that this story was inspired by true events (and ones I wasn't at all aware of but looked right into because how fascinating?!). Flight Risk is written in 3 main points of view: from the main character, Robert's, his mother's, and then through the sheriff's voice. All three were equally compelling, but, I really held onto Robert's every word. I mean, I was rooting for the kid 100%. Fenn put such an amazing spin on a subject you'd think would be black and white. But, as most things go, there's so much gray! And in that gray lies the magic that is Robert Jackson Kelly.
If you're looking for a great adventure and one that could totally happen (it basically did!), this is the book for you! If you love YA contemporary novels, this is the book for you! If you love reality TV, this is the book for you! If you love out of the box narratives, this is the book for you! If you love great writing and a story that grabs you from the beginning, this is the book for you! Will definitely recommend to everyone from my dad to my niece!
What really intrigued me to no end was that this story was inspired by true events (and ones I wasn't at all aware of but looked right into because how fascinating?!). Flight Risk is written in 3 main points of view: from the main character, Robert's, his mother's, and then through the sheriff's voice. All three were equally compelling, but, I really held onto Robert's every word. I mean, I was rooting for the kid 100%. Fenn put such an amazing spin on a subject you'd think would be black and white. But, as most things go, there's so much gray! And in that gray lies the magic that is Robert Jackson Kelly.
If you're looking for a great adventure and one that could totally happen (it basically did!), this is the book for you! If you love YA contemporary novels, this is the book for you! If you love reality TV, this is the book for you! If you love out of the box narratives, this is the book for you! If you love great writing and a story that grabs you from the beginning, this is the book for you! Will definitely recommend to everyone from my dad to my niece!
April 5, 2017
Based on a true story, but trust me when I tell you that no matter how well you know the facts, you have no idea where this story is going. Robert Jackson Kelly is an odd mix of daredevil and folk hero, and you can't help but root for him.
I am not an aviator, but I could wear Jennifer Fenn is from the depth of detail she includes. I felt like I was in the cockpit right alongside Kelly.
An authentic, stellar debut that will keep you breathless until the very end.
I am not an aviator, but I could wear Jennifer Fenn is from the depth of detail she includes. I felt like I was in the cockpit right alongside Kelly.
An authentic, stellar debut that will keep you breathless until the very end.
April 24, 2017
This book is so cool and unique! It is the documentary-style, based-on-a-true-story journey of a very interesting young man trying to figure it all out--and stealing some planes along the way. The characters are great and complex and the plot so engrossing that you will want to read it in one sitting. This would make a great movie!
July 31, 2017
Loved this book. Extremely well-crafted. Robert is one of the most three-dimensional characters I've read in a long time -- he could practically walk off the page. The same is true of the other characters, too. The short vignettes allow the book to move quickly. It's a visual experience, like a movie on paper. One of my favorites so far this year. Bravo!
February 7, 2017
Hello movie-makers! Jennifer Fenn’s debut, a suspenseful, fun story that makes the reader root for the hero/antihero, would be great on screen. Her skillful writing makes this a quick read. I look forward to whatever book she writes next.
April 13, 2018
Great book. Highly recommend for mature middle-schoolers or High Schoolers. Language slightly inappropriate (as a mom reading the book aloud to her middle school daughters, I was able to quickly change of few of the words). However, the language was not too raunchy. Great story line and I would highly recommend for teen boys looking for something different to read.
May 19, 2018
Flight Risk is an intriguing look at how we tend to mythologize and romanticize people--and how the actual people behind the legends are really just ordinary, often tragic figures. Fenn's use of a collage style, contrasting Robert's actual adventures with what various people are saying about him, highlights this theme and enhances the book.
July 31, 2021
I really enjoyed this, from the very beginning to the end. It had the feel of a Dragnet show. Loved the interviews all through the book. Excellent!
December 2, 2021
this woman is my mom! if you do not belive me ask her!!!! you should read her book! if u dond't u are missing out!
March 11, 2019
Flight Risk by Jennifer Fenn has been the most interesting and compelling book that I have read in a long time. I know the old saying is to not “judge a book by its cover,” but I am a long-time aviation enthusiast, so this book caught my eye for obvious reasons. However, if you look at the title of this story and see a book written about planes and the risks involved, you would actually be quite wrong in that assumption. I’ll get more into detail about that later in the review.
The setting of this book is Yannatok Island, Washington; a small island town just off the mainland. Throughout this book, you get to walk through the main character’s life from his first time in a school to after high school. The main character (Robert Jackson Kelley Jr.) lives with his single mom in a trailer park where the space is tight, but the income is a little bit tighter. Robert attends a small public high school (the only one on the island) and when he isn’t in school season, he walks a few blocks down the street to the beach and surfs on his secondhand, bitten off surfboard until the sun set.
One thing I really like about this book is that it is set up like an early 2000s movie; almost like Ocean’s 11. When you read it, you can see the scene changes and when the camera would have zoomed in on a newspaper article. You can see when the screen goes black and cuts to an old tv style interview. Personally, I find this aspect of the book makes it very intriguing and fun to read.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone, flight enthusiast or not. It will take you on a bumpy, risky adventure that will have you one moment almost in tears, and the next moment, on the edge of your seat feeling the pressure of the situation asking, “Is he going to do it”? I hope you have as great of an adventure as I did when you read this book.
The setting of this book is Yannatok Island, Washington; a small island town just off the mainland. Throughout this book, you get to walk through the main character’s life from his first time in a school to after high school. The main character (Robert Jackson Kelley Jr.) lives with his single mom in a trailer park where the space is tight, but the income is a little bit tighter. Robert attends a small public high school (the only one on the island) and when he isn’t in school season, he walks a few blocks down the street to the beach and surfs on his secondhand, bitten off surfboard until the sun set.
One thing I really like about this book is that it is set up like an early 2000s movie; almost like Ocean’s 11. When you read it, you can see the scene changes and when the camera would have zoomed in on a newspaper article. You can see when the screen goes black and cuts to an old tv style interview. Personally, I find this aspect of the book makes it very intriguing and fun to read.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone, flight enthusiast or not. It will take you on a bumpy, risky adventure that will have you one moment almost in tears, and the next moment, on the edge of your seat feeling the pressure of the situation asking, “Is he going to do it”? I hope you have as great of an adventure as I did when you read this book.
July 24, 2017
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.
I loved how the different POVs played in with the interviews, the news clippings, and all the other pieces that rounded out the narrative. It just amounted to this fascinating contrast of the way everyone else saw Robert, pretending to know what was going on in his head, and then the way Robert saw Robert when he was in his head. Everywhere else, he was anything and everything. In his head, in truth, he was a kid. A stupid kid in way over his head who just wanted one moment of total escape and freedom. And I mean, I really hate stupid and there’s no real way you can condone the things he did. But. I so felt for him. I can’t necessarily say that I felt love for him, but the author skillfully showed me into his heart and his mind, so that I could at least understand where he was coming from. My heart went out to him, and I wanted things to turn out well.
If you'd like to hear more of my thoughts on this book, you can find the full review on Verbosity Reviews.
I loved how the different POVs played in with the interviews, the news clippings, and all the other pieces that rounded out the narrative. It just amounted to this fascinating contrast of the way everyone else saw Robert, pretending to know what was going on in his head, and then the way Robert saw Robert when he was in his head. Everywhere else, he was anything and everything. In his head, in truth, he was a kid. A stupid kid in way over his head who just wanted one moment of total escape and freedom. And I mean, I really hate stupid and there’s no real way you can condone the things he did. But. I so felt for him. I can’t necessarily say that I felt love for him, but the author skillfully showed me into his heart and his mind, so that I could at least understand where he was coming from. My heart went out to him, and I wanted things to turn out well.
If you'd like to hear more of my thoughts on this book, you can find the full review on Verbosity Reviews.
January 9, 2021
How have I not heard more about this book?
I found it by accident while walking through the local dollar tree. It’s now one of the best books I’ve read this year. Switching between news articles, interviews, and point of view of several characters, Flight Risk tells the story of Robert Jackson Kelly, who stole, crashed and walked away from not one, not two, but three private airplanes. Efforts to catch him are unsuccessful, for a time. Despite what he’s done, there’s something about Robert that left me rooting for him until the end. The path that leads Robert to stealing planes involves poverty, untreated ADD, and an absentee father. Robert’s motives are complicated but understandable, and Jennifer Fenn did a great job exploring them in the book. The storytelling and characters in this book are engaging and this book deserves more attention.
I found it by accident while walking through the local dollar tree. It’s now one of the best books I’ve read this year. Switching between news articles, interviews, and point of view of several characters, Flight Risk tells the story of Robert Jackson Kelly, who stole, crashed and walked away from not one, not two, but three private airplanes. Efforts to catch him are unsuccessful, for a time. Despite what he’s done, there’s something about Robert that left me rooting for him until the end. The path that leads Robert to stealing planes involves poverty, untreated ADD, and an absentee father. Robert’s motives are complicated but understandable, and Jennifer Fenn did a great job exploring them in the book. The storytelling and characters in this book are engaging and this book deserves more attention.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2018
This is my Favorite book I have read. My favorite part of the book was when he was growing up during his childhood. Also I really liked how It was based off the barefoot bandit. My least favorite was when robert(the main Character) got cought.
February 3, 2022
I was really rooting for this character. Not because I wanted him to get away with his recklessness and crimes, but because I wanted him to overcome his crappy childhood, his idiot of a mom, his absentee dad, his untreated attention disorder...
May 15, 2017
This book is so much fun! I read it almost in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. It's suspenseful and thrilling from page one, and I just had to find out how it was going to end!
May 21, 2025
I read the book Flight Risk by Jennifer Fenn, this book is about a kid by the name of Robert. He likes to get into some trouble he thinks he is not very smart and people cause him grief because of it. I do not think this book is apart of a series but I did enjoy this book.
What I like about this book, I liked the story and plots kept changing. With him meeting his Dad and whatever else, but I would say it did ok there was some repetitive parts but otherwise it was fine.
Robert was obviously my favorite character. First off because there really was not to many people for characters. But he was very interesting trying to figure out his thoughts and what he would try and do next. It felt real when I was reading I would say I felt like I was maybe in his shoes for parts of it.
The story was kind of obvious a little, just by reading the introduction in the beginning and you could tell what would happen next. in some parts it was mainly half and half on this area.
My favorite part in this book (trying not to spoil anything) but when Robert is on the brink of getting caught in the hangar. Also the part before that he made himself at home there and ate what they had and whatnot. It was just funny then a little intense cause he had to hide and keep quiet.
The book did make me emotional whether it was with laughter or sadness. But it was mainly at the begining with the at school humor stuff. All the jokes and whatever else they got caught and in trouble for. Also just realizing his living situation with his mom, Deb.
The story did take hold of me at some points and made me want to keep reading. Mainly in the middle in the intense parts where he escaped from schools and whatnot.
What I disliked in this book, I would say it is very confusing at first because there are like these interview segments of other peoples perspective so when you are just fast paced reading or even slow at sometimes. I kind of had a hard time figuring out who was actually talking in that part.
also something to note was the repeating plots in the book, for example one thing would happen than Robert would do that or something similar again. I would say this book is for younger readers and it's sort of a mystery fiction I would say.
This book was good, In summary great overall a little hard in understanding. Good plot but a little repetitive. Laughs and some sorrow. Still a great book would recommend it contains some action, Mystery and fiction.
What I like about this book, I liked the story and plots kept changing. With him meeting his Dad and whatever else, but I would say it did ok there was some repetitive parts but otherwise it was fine.
Robert was obviously my favorite character. First off because there really was not to many people for characters. But he was very interesting trying to figure out his thoughts and what he would try and do next. It felt real when I was reading I would say I felt like I was maybe in his shoes for parts of it.
The story was kind of obvious a little, just by reading the introduction in the beginning and you could tell what would happen next. in some parts it was mainly half and half on this area.
My favorite part in this book (trying not to spoil anything) but when Robert is on the brink of getting caught in the hangar. Also the part before that he made himself at home there and ate what they had and whatnot. It was just funny then a little intense cause he had to hide and keep quiet.
The book did make me emotional whether it was with laughter or sadness. But it was mainly at the begining with the at school humor stuff. All the jokes and whatever else they got caught and in trouble for. Also just realizing his living situation with his mom, Deb.
The story did take hold of me at some points and made me want to keep reading. Mainly in the middle in the intense parts where he escaped from schools and whatnot.
What I disliked in this book, I would say it is very confusing at first because there are like these interview segments of other peoples perspective so when you are just fast paced reading or even slow at sometimes. I kind of had a hard time figuring out who was actually talking in that part.
also something to note was the repeating plots in the book, for example one thing would happen than Robert would do that or something similar again. I would say this book is for younger readers and it's sort of a mystery fiction I would say.
This book was good, In summary great overall a little hard in understanding. Good plot but a little repetitive. Laughs and some sorrow. Still a great book would recommend it contains some action, Mystery and fiction.
June 14, 2017
Flight Risk is an authentically unique and truly captivating story for teen readers. While we are all professionally committed to never assigning books as ideal for one gender or another, I approach all books I read through the lens of the readers I serve --- and I'm a veteran librarian at an all-boys Middle School. This book will have immediate appeal among male readers.
While it's easy to find realistic fiction that targets spies, sports, or survival, this story soars with subjects we don't see often: airplanes, crime, and surfing. These hot topics, enclosed within a bold eye-catching cover, are certain to attract attention. Flight Risk is also an ideal recommendation for reluctant readers. Why? Fenn’s writing style strikes the perfect balance between crisp prose and sensory image development. Readers will move swiftly through the text, but also "feel" and "see" the story due to brilliant use of concise, yet powerful, descriptive language. Short chapters offer a feature that we know reluctant readers love, yet avid readers will value the depth of this original story.
Due to brief references of drinking, drugs, and online pornography, school librarians are advised to read this title before determining whether or not it will fit in their collection. Conclusion: an amazingly original story that is sure to be a hit among teens seeking realistic reads. ~ ARC copy via Netgalley ~ Lisa Brennan, Middle School Librarian
While it's easy to find realistic fiction that targets spies, sports, or survival, this story soars with subjects we don't see often: airplanes, crime, and surfing. These hot topics, enclosed within a bold eye-catching cover, are certain to attract attention. Flight Risk is also an ideal recommendation for reluctant readers. Why? Fenn’s writing style strikes the perfect balance between crisp prose and sensory image development. Readers will move swiftly through the text, but also "feel" and "see" the story due to brilliant use of concise, yet powerful, descriptive language. Short chapters offer a feature that we know reluctant readers love, yet avid readers will value the depth of this original story.
Due to brief references of drinking, drugs, and online pornography, school librarians are advised to read this title before determining whether or not it will fit in their collection. Conclusion: an amazingly original story that is sure to be a hit among teens seeking realistic reads. ~ ARC copy via Netgalley ~ Lisa Brennan, Middle School Librarian
October 10, 2017
How did Robert Jackson Kelley, a quiet 17 y/o boy who loves his dog and spends most of his free time alone at the beach, end up stealing three airplanes? Even more surprising than the fact that he was able to steal and fly not one, not two , but three airplanes, is the fact that Robert never had formal flight training and before stealing his first plan had never flown before. Robert's story is based on actual events which makes it all the more fascinating. The story is told from multiple perspectives including Roberts's, Robert's mother, and a local sheriff. All three characters are well developed and authentic. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes contemporary adventure and suspense. Some might be offended by the profanity and specifically the type of profanity used in the book.
May 19, 2017
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book! It is very different from most other YA novels that I've read recently, both in terms of plot and in terms of writing style. I really enjoyed getting to know the main character, Robert Jackson Kelley, and following him as he grew up and turned into a teenager who stole and crashed planes. I also enjoyed the "documentary" style of the novel, including "interviews" with other characters which provided many different perspectives on the events in the story. I would definitely recommend this book to teens, or really to anyone who is looking for a fun adventure with deep character development.
November 6, 2019
It was a very interesting book if you like a good adventure. If you like a good run away and planes this book is for you. Robert the main character will face many challenges is always on the run from the police tying to escape the island. Every time he gets away he always comes back to the small island he is trying to escape. I thought this book was hard to follow but if you like a book that is kind of fast pace you would like this book. Robert is always on his flight simulator before he is on the run. Robert the main character is very talented but uses it in the wrong way. If you like a book were someone is on the run you should defiantly read this book.
March 3, 2025
Robert Jackson Kelly stole 3 different planes, crashed each one and was able to walk away from each crash. This is a story that is told in a documentary style about the first time he stole and crashed the first plane and the two times after. The documentary format has interview with the people who know hime the best. The documentary format made this an interesting book. I found this at Dollar Tree reading the jacket of the book I thought this would be intersting. Although the reviews of the book has me wondering if I made a mistake in buying this. Sometimes the books with the smallest amount of reviews turn out to be good books.
October 6, 2017
Enjoyable read, I was rooting for Robert the whole time. Felt really bad for him, he just grew up in really crappy circumstances. Was nice to have the police officer trying to help him as well. Sometimes through the narration it felt a bit too distant from him emotionally. But that being said, I felt so sad for most of the book while he was running away that he wasn't able to spend time with his dog :(
April 21, 2020
enjoyed the tension of robert trying to steal and fly the plane, and the investigation
Also liked the interviewing concept that almost everyone has different takes to what they said about robert. It got me thinking that robert was able to land in his final flight
but, despite the attention-seeking behavior, i think the motives can still be improved. Thus, the ending where he failed to fly and being caught felt a bit bland to me
Still, i do recommend to read this book
Also liked the interviewing concept that almost everyone has different takes to what they said about robert. It got me thinking that robert was able to land in his final flight
but, despite the attention-seeking behavior, i think the motives can still be improved. Thus, the ending where he failed to fly and being caught felt a bit bland to me
Still, i do recommend to read this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2024
4.5⭐ An ADHD kid's dream; quick and witty
I honestly loved this book way more than I thought I would. There was great humor throughout and I couldn't help but cheer this delinquent on the entire time. As someone with ADHD, the depiction as to how it feels inside their head is spot on. I never thought that how fast my mind works would be portrayed into a book this clearly. If you want a quick, witty, and exciting book I strongly recommend this one
I honestly loved this book way more than I thought I would. There was great humor throughout and I couldn't help but cheer this delinquent on the entire time. As someone with ADHD, the depiction as to how it feels inside their head is spot on. I never thought that how fast my mind works would be portrayed into a book this clearly. If you want a quick, witty, and exciting book I strongly recommend this one
June 2, 2023
This met the bucket to read a book with “risk” in the title. It is about Robert, a high school student, who steals planes and becomes a local legend for a time. The story leading up to the slights focuses on Robert’s youth and his struggles in school and the struggles of his single mom. It makes you think about what if the circumstances had been different?
November 17, 2017
I thought the book has lots of potential. I was truly intrigued by a teen stealing a plane. I even liked the relationships that were touched on here. Overall, I was disappointed that the story didn't develop a bit more. 86
July 23, 2017
Great book
October 15, 2017
Unique story-will appeal to both MS and HS. Dragged a bit for me in the middle.
MS teachers-totally fine for classroom shelves.
MS teachers-totally fine for classroom shelves.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews