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The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z.
In the mountains of rural Vermont, fall is a season of beauty and transformation . . . but not for Gianna Z. With less than one week to collect twenty-five leaves for a science project, her spot at cross-country sectionals is in serious peril. Plus with a dad who runs a funeral parlor out of the basement, a grandma who keeps losing her teeth, and a rival trying to steal her spot on the team, Gee just wishes life could leave her alone to finish her project. But when Nonna disappears one afternoon, suddenly some things seem more important than projects and races.
Gianna Z. will have readers rooting for her-and maybe even for science projects-from the very first page of this funny and poignant novel about family, friendship, and being true to yourself.
Winner of the 2010 E.B. White Read Aloud Award for Older Readers
Bank Street College of Education Best Books of 2009
IndieBound Fall 2009 Kids IndieNext List
Kids' IndieNext Pick
New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award Nominee
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Nominee
Missouri Mark Twain Award Nominee
New York Charlotte Award Nominee
Gianna Z. will have readers rooting for her-and maybe even for science projects-from the very first page of this funny and poignant novel about family, friendship, and being true to yourself.
Winner of the 2010 E.B. White Read Aloud Award for Older Readers
Bank Street College of Education Best Books of 2009
IndieBound Fall 2009 Kids IndieNext List
Kids' IndieNext Pick
New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award Nominee
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Nominee
Missouri Mark Twain Award Nominee
New York Charlotte Award Nominee
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2009
23 people are currently reading
1499 people want to read
About the author
Kate Messner
132 books1,661 followersKate Messner is an award-winning author, TED 2012 speaker, and former middle school English teacher. Her books for kids include THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z.,SUGAR AND ICE, and EYE OF THE STORM (Walker/Bloomsbury Dec. 2010) the MARTY MCGUIRE series (Scholastic), SEA MONSTER'S FIRST DAY, and OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW (Chronicle, Books). Kate also wrote SPITFIRE and CHAMPLAIN AND THE SILENT ONE, both Lake Champlain historical novels published by North Country Books.
Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com
Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner
...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner
Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com
Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner
...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
November 17, 2012
Reviewed by Joan Stradling for TeensReadToo.com
If Gianna Zales doesn't finish her seventh-grade leaf collection project in time, her spot in the cross country sectionals will be filled by her nemesis. Though she had plenty of time to do the project, Gianna left it until the last minute.
It doesn't help her state of mind that her father drives her to school in a hearse, her grandmother keeps forgetting things, and her mother pretends like nothing is wrong.
This fall will be a disaster if Gianna can't pull it together and take her project all the way to the finish line.
The warm-up stretched just the right muscles so I was ready to take on the smooth cross country pacing of the novel. I trotted happily along through Gianna's story and enjoyed the scenery along the way. The emotional hills and valleys gave me a satisfying workout, and the cool down in the end made for a perfect run.
Messner not only reached the finish line with THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z., she won the gold and the crowd went wild.
If Gianna Zales doesn't finish her seventh-grade leaf collection project in time, her spot in the cross country sectionals will be filled by her nemesis. Though she had plenty of time to do the project, Gianna left it until the last minute.
It doesn't help her state of mind that her father drives her to school in a hearse, her grandmother keeps forgetting things, and her mother pretends like nothing is wrong.
This fall will be a disaster if Gianna can't pull it together and take her project all the way to the finish line.
The warm-up stretched just the right muscles so I was ready to take on the smooth cross country pacing of the novel. I trotted happily along through Gianna's story and enjoyed the scenery along the way. The emotional hills and valleys gave me a satisfying workout, and the cool down in the end made for a perfect run.
Messner not only reached the finish line with THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z., she won the gold and the crowd went wild.
May 12, 2009
The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z is just that... brilliant. With solid pacing, a lovable main character, and profoundly important undertones, Messner seamlessly articulates the conflicting emotions of Gianna, track star extraordinaire, artist, friend, daughter, and granddaughter. Though it may seem a bit young for the savvy reader, in part due to the charming, light-hearted cover, I urge readers of all ages to give this one a shot. It's one of the most moving, unforgettable stories of love and family that I've ever read. A true gem!
June 20, 2010
Gianna has never been one to do things in a timely manner; so when her science project is close to being due, she relies on her trusty friends to help her, only this time Gianna will have to take the fall.
Messner does a great job of incorporating science and medical terminology throughout this book. I love how she describes each leaf in detail and the tree on which it was retrieved. She describes what it feels like to watch someone you love slowly wither away until there is nothing left.
Although Messner does discuss some very serious issues, she manages to throw in a nagging brother, jerky classmates, and first love. A good book for those who are looking for a clean read where both parents are in the picture, and normal, everyday life is visible.
Messner does a great job of incorporating science and medical terminology throughout this book. I love how she describes each leaf in detail and the tree on which it was retrieved. She describes what it feels like to watch someone you love slowly wither away until there is nothing left.
Although Messner does discuss some very serious issues, she manages to throw in a nagging brother, jerky classmates, and first love. A good book for those who are looking for a clean read where both parents are in the picture, and normal, everyday life is visible.
February 12, 2010
A beautiful, touching and realistic middle-grade novel. I've bought copies to give to my nieces. Can't wait to read more by Kate!
September 23, 2009
Up front, I have to disclose that I know Kate personally, and that she very kindly handed me a signed copy of the ARC for her forthcoming novel when I saw her at the New England SCBWI Conference. You might assume that, with Kate being a friend, I'd be predisposed to want to like her novel, and you'd be correct. You might assume that with her being a friend, if I'm mentioning her novel in a public forum such as this, I'm going to say that I like it.
You'd be wrong.
Because this novel? I love it.
Kate juggles a bundle of fairly heavy plotlines as if they weighed no more than a pile of leaves, managing her story with humor and grace.
Gianna Zales is a middle school cross-country star, a true artist, a good friend, and a bit of a free spirit. Two weeks ago, her science teacher gave the class a month to collect twenty-five leaves from different species of trees, identify them, and put together a visual representation of their distribution. One week from now, it's due. And unless Gianna gets a good grade on her science project, she won't be allowed to run in the cross-country sectionals. Not just that, but the hateful Bianca will run in her place.
Gianna is helped by her good friend Zig, who is starting to show signs of being interested in Gee as a girl, not just as a friend. Gianna is frankly hindered by her family, no matter what they say; I mean, they lecture her on the importance of meeting a Monday sub-deadline on Saturday, while in the car on the way to the Italian market in Montreal. And this isn't the only family obligation that pops up along the way to prevent her from actually doing what they tell her she ought to be doing. I'm just saying. (You will note that Kate must be an excellent writer based on my degree of anger towards Gianna's parents for this whole "say one thing, do another" routine they've got going. Actual anger on the part of a reader about obstacles faced by a character in a book is a surefire sign of good writing.)
Now, Gianna is a cross-country runner, but I have to tell you, the way this book goes, she ought to be a hurdler. There are low hurdles, like the fact that her father's a mortician and that she frequently arrives at school in a hearse, or that her mother's got an unhealthy fixation on health food. And there are mid-sized hurdles, like figuring out what to say to a girl she knows whose grandmother has just died. And there are some really high hurdles indeed, such as the fact that her Nonna is starting to forget things - not just the occasional word or where she left her glasses, but important things, like where she is.
Like a cross-country course after a rain storm, there are an awful lot of puddles to avoid - like Bianca's attempts to belittle Gianna and others, or her efforts to replace Gianna at sectionals. Like unexpected developments with her leaf collection at several turns. Like a bunch of issues with her grandmother and her mother (both separately and together). And like whether she likes the way things are changing with Zig, who was always just a friend before.
And like the happy feeling that rushes through you during and after a cross-country run*, the book is full of warm, happy, funny bits. Gianna's brother, Ian, is hilarious, in spite of (or maybe because of - it's hard to say) his fondness for jokes and paparazzi-like photography. Her friend Ruby is pretty terrific, too. And although there are some sad things about Nonna, when she's on her game, Nonna is a riot - the exact sort of grandmother that pretty much anyone would love to have. She knows when to encourage and when to scold, how to intervene with Mom, how to support Gianna (openly or on the sly), and how to make the very best Italian Wedding Cookies in the world.
Do I love the repeated references to Robert Frost's poem, "Birches"? You know I do. Particularly since the poem is not only referenced and quoted, but also thoughtfully considered and discussed along the way. Also a high point? The references to Gianna's talent for and love of art.
Without being didactic, there are take-home messages about responsibility and the importance of personal expression, about the diversity of nature and the desirability of understanding natural science, about understanding and empathy for others and the true nature of friendship, and about the pitfalls of middle school, something about which Kate possesses and displays intimate knowledge.
Before I go, a word about the book design. I think that Nicole Gastonguay deserves special mention for what she's put together here. Now, I only have an ARC, but I have to assume that the finished copy of the book is going to have that same gorgeous cover image by Joe Cepeda, the same artist who did the lovely cover for Pam Munoz Ryan's Esperanza Rising. And that the right hand edge of each odd-numbered page bears a gray maple leaf, conveniently located at varying locations from top to bottom, top to bottom, so that if you hold the book steady at the spine and thumb the pages, you generate a flip-page animation of a falling leaf. Believe me when I say that this is a) huge fun and b) strangely hypnotic.
Kate's book is due out on September 1st - that's a week from today!
* I am taking that endorphin thing on faith people - you won't catch me actually testing it out.
You'd be wrong.
Because this novel? I love it.
Kate juggles a bundle of fairly heavy plotlines as if they weighed no more than a pile of leaves, managing her story with humor and grace.
Gianna Zales is a middle school cross-country star, a true artist, a good friend, and a bit of a free spirit. Two weeks ago, her science teacher gave the class a month to collect twenty-five leaves from different species of trees, identify them, and put together a visual representation of their distribution. One week from now, it's due. And unless Gianna gets a good grade on her science project, she won't be allowed to run in the cross-country sectionals. Not just that, but the hateful Bianca will run in her place.
Gianna is helped by her good friend Zig, who is starting to show signs of being interested in Gee as a girl, not just as a friend. Gianna is frankly hindered by her family, no matter what they say; I mean, they lecture her on the importance of meeting a Monday sub-deadline on Saturday, while in the car on the way to the Italian market in Montreal. And this isn't the only family obligation that pops up along the way to prevent her from actually doing what they tell her she ought to be doing. I'm just saying. (You will note that Kate must be an excellent writer based on my degree of anger towards Gianna's parents for this whole "say one thing, do another" routine they've got going. Actual anger on the part of a reader about obstacles faced by a character in a book is a surefire sign of good writing.)
Now, Gianna is a cross-country runner, but I have to tell you, the way this book goes, she ought to be a hurdler. There are low hurdles, like the fact that her father's a mortician and that she frequently arrives at school in a hearse, or that her mother's got an unhealthy fixation on health food. And there are mid-sized hurdles, like figuring out what to say to a girl she knows whose grandmother has just died. And there are some really high hurdles indeed, such as the fact that her Nonna is starting to forget things - not just the occasional word or where she left her glasses, but important things, like where she is.
Like a cross-country course after a rain storm, there are an awful lot of puddles to avoid - like Bianca's attempts to belittle Gianna and others, or her efforts to replace Gianna at sectionals. Like unexpected developments with her leaf collection at several turns. Like a bunch of issues with her grandmother and her mother (both separately and together). And like whether she likes the way things are changing with Zig, who was always just a friend before.
And like the happy feeling that rushes through you during and after a cross-country run*, the book is full of warm, happy, funny bits. Gianna's brother, Ian, is hilarious, in spite of (or maybe because of - it's hard to say) his fondness for jokes and paparazzi-like photography. Her friend Ruby is pretty terrific, too. And although there are some sad things about Nonna, when she's on her game, Nonna is a riot - the exact sort of grandmother that pretty much anyone would love to have. She knows when to encourage and when to scold, how to intervene with Mom, how to support Gianna (openly or on the sly), and how to make the very best Italian Wedding Cookies in the world.
Do I love the repeated references to Robert Frost's poem, "Birches"? You know I do. Particularly since the poem is not only referenced and quoted, but also thoughtfully considered and discussed along the way. Also a high point? The references to Gianna's talent for and love of art.
Without being didactic, there are take-home messages about responsibility and the importance of personal expression, about the diversity of nature and the desirability of understanding natural science, about understanding and empathy for others and the true nature of friendship, and about the pitfalls of middle school, something about which Kate possesses and displays intimate knowledge.
Before I go, a word about the book design. I think that Nicole Gastonguay deserves special mention for what she's put together here. Now, I only have an ARC, but I have to assume that the finished copy of the book is going to have that same gorgeous cover image by Joe Cepeda, the same artist who did the lovely cover for Pam Munoz Ryan's Esperanza Rising. And that the right hand edge of each odd-numbered page bears a gray maple leaf, conveniently located at varying locations from top to bottom, top to bottom, so that if you hold the book steady at the spine and thumb the pages, you generate a flip-page animation of a falling leaf. Believe me when I say that this is a) huge fun and b) strangely hypnotic.
Kate's book is due out on September 1st - that's a week from today!
* I am taking that endorphin thing on faith people - you won't catch me actually testing it out.
December 20, 2016
Beautifully written story about Gianna Z. who has a strong family and loyal best friend who support her as her grandmother struggles with Alzheimer's, she deals with a bully, and tries to finish a leaf collection project at the last minute.
January 3, 2015
I really wished I'd liked this more, but there were too many things that I think the author tried to do at the same time for it to work. Take, for example, Gianna's procrastination/inability to organize. I thought we'd get some AD/HD information, but no. Or perhaps her mother was afraid that with Nonna showing signs of Alzheimers, that Gianna was acting a little too like Nonna? Again, no.
The leaf identification project really seemed interesting, and I wish more information about the different types of leaves had been incorporated. Gianna's problems with Bianca seemed very real, as did her not talking to anyone about them (although it was hinted at the Coach knew about them - in which case, why didn't Coach actually do or say anything to cheer Gianna up?). The poetry was wonderful, but again, snippets were doled out.
As I said, just too much going on for this book to really work for me. Younger readers (say, 5th or 6th graders) will probably have fewer problems with this.
The leaf identification project really seemed interesting, and I wish more information about the different types of leaves had been incorporated. Gianna's problems with Bianca seemed very real, as did her not talking to anyone about them (although it was hinted at the Coach knew about them - in which case, why didn't Coach actually do or say anything to cheer Gianna up?). The poetry was wonderful, but again, snippets were doled out.
As I said, just too much going on for this book to really work for me. Younger readers (say, 5th or 6th graders) will probably have fewer problems with this.
June 5, 2013
Best middle-school voice (written for a middle-school audience) that I've read recently! I thought all of the conflicts, from the minor (homework avoidance) to the major (ailing grandmother) were really well-done and true to life. The mean-girl situation was spot-on.
October 4, 2009
One Sentence Review: A gentle, heartwarming tale that drills home not just a classic granddaughter/grandmother relationship, but also the basic trials of being a kid today.
January 17, 2019
My children assigned this rating. My daughter’s 3rd grade class read this together. She loved it so much, she wanted us to read it as a family. The book is very approachable while it still addresses bullying/mean girls, death of a grandparent, dealing with a grandparent with dementia, and the first adolescent feelings of interest in boys. The plot also gave us a great opportunity to discuss the effects of procrastination in life. We also enjoyed the references to artists and poets throughout, which spurred further research by my kids.
March 29, 2013
I read the book The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. by Kate Messner. Gianna is a delightful character—she’s an artist, a runner, and a bit disorganized. Sometimes she has a hard time focusing on things she has to do for school, like the all-consuming leaf collection project for science. However, she is always busy with important and “genius” work—like splatter painting her room and painting other pictures inspired by the masters. She wears her feelings on her sleeve, as does her beloved Nonna, her mother’s mother, who lives with them.
I love the way the author helped us get to know Gianna, Zig, Ian, Mr. and Mrs. Zales, Nonna, Ruby, and even the evil principal, Mr. Randolph, and Gianna’s arch rival, Bianca. The characters just live normal lives for a few weeks during one autumn in Vermont, but they come alive on the pages.
I learned an important lesson about writing from reading this book. I don’t have to write wild, fantastic tales about future dystopias to write a good story. The last three times I’ve done NaNoWriMo, that’s what I attempted (the crazy sci-fi stuff ). This book didn’t need an outrageous plot line because characters were so well-developed. I couldn’t stop reading The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. because I cared about the people, particularly Gianna and her grandmother, Nonna. I wanted to see what happened next in their relationships, which were never hokey.
I think there is a second reason I learned about writing from this book. Last summer, I participated in the Teachers Write Summer Writing Camp. Kate Messner and a host of other published authors guided us through writing exercises. I felt like I got to know Kate over the summer as I participated in the activities and read her inspiring comments on my and other teachers’ work. Now when I read her books, I’m reminded of the summer writing camp, and I can hear her teaching me about writing through her stories.
I would recommend this book to any young reader.
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978080...
I love the way the author helped us get to know Gianna, Zig, Ian, Mr. and Mrs. Zales, Nonna, Ruby, and even the evil principal, Mr. Randolph, and Gianna’s arch rival, Bianca. The characters just live normal lives for a few weeks during one autumn in Vermont, but they come alive on the pages.
I learned an important lesson about writing from reading this book. I don’t have to write wild, fantastic tales about future dystopias to write a good story. The last three times I’ve done NaNoWriMo, that’s what I attempted (the crazy sci-fi stuff ). This book didn’t need an outrageous plot line because characters were so well-developed. I couldn’t stop reading The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. because I cared about the people, particularly Gianna and her grandmother, Nonna. I wanted to see what happened next in their relationships, which were never hokey.
I think there is a second reason I learned about writing from this book. Last summer, I participated in the Teachers Write Summer Writing Camp. Kate Messner and a host of other published authors guided us through writing exercises. I felt like I got to know Kate over the summer as I participated in the activities and read her inspiring comments on my and other teachers’ work. Now when I read her books, I’m reminded of the summer writing camp, and I can hear her teaching me about writing through her stories.
I would recommend this book to any young reader.
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978080...
January 29, 2017
Trying to make sense of Nonna's deteriorating mental capacity and keeping up with school work is almost too much for Gianna Z. to handle. Her love of running and art are the things that make her happy. But, when her leaf project for science is no where near completion for the due date, she is in danger of being disqualified for the running competition that she has been endlessly training for.
Her best friend, Zig is a rock and a 'genius' and he helps her through these tough times especially now that Nonna is forgetting every-day tasks, recipes, and directions. He helps her gather the leaves she needs and guides her to identifying them. All of which would have been very stressful without him especially when dealing with bullies at school and keeping up with deadlines. To make matters worse, her mother is in denial about Nonna and misses a crucial doctor's appointment to evaluate Nonna's condition. Gianna helps Nonna through it, but is now acutely aware of her grandmother's failing.
The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. takes a good, hard look at Alzheimer's disease and how it affects families. In the end, though, love of family and acceptance of one another makes everyday living brilliant....
Her best friend, Zig is a rock and a 'genius' and he helps her through these tough times especially now that Nonna is forgetting every-day tasks, recipes, and directions. He helps her gather the leaves she needs and guides her to identifying them. All of which would have been very stressful without him especially when dealing with bullies at school and keeping up with deadlines. To make matters worse, her mother is in denial about Nonna and misses a crucial doctor's appointment to evaluate Nonna's condition. Gianna helps Nonna through it, but is now acutely aware of her grandmother's failing.
The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. takes a good, hard look at Alzheimer's disease and how it affects families. In the end, though, love of family and acceptance of one another makes everyday living brilliant....
November 12, 2011
Took me a while but I finally got to this one.
Have a third grade teacher who read Marty McGuire to her kiddos and then started this one. She asked me at lunch because she was concerned about a couple lines that intimated at "something" between Gianna and Zig. So, I told her I'd read it over the weekend.
So glad I did! I am happy to report that there is no need to worry about finishing this one with her kiddos. The story is so much more ... Gianna and her best friend, Gianna and her mom, Gianna and her Nonna, even her dad and brother and sort of friends and sort of enemies add something to the picture of her life.
And while I am too fond of the south and being warm to ever live somewhere that has all those pretty leaves and early morning snowfalls ... it doesn't hurt to dream. Beautiful descriptions make that possible.
Have a third grade teacher who read Marty McGuire to her kiddos and then started this one. She asked me at lunch because she was concerned about a couple lines that intimated at "something" between Gianna and Zig. So, I told her I'd read it over the weekend.
So glad I did! I am happy to report that there is no need to worry about finishing this one with her kiddos. The story is so much more ... Gianna and her best friend, Gianna and her mom, Gianna and her Nonna, even her dad and brother and sort of friends and sort of enemies add something to the picture of her life.
And while I am too fond of the south and being warm to ever live somewhere that has all those pretty leaves and early morning snowfalls ... it doesn't hurt to dream. Beautiful descriptions make that possible.
September 6, 2011
I really liked this book; bought it mainly because of "Gianna" in the title, when I saw it in one of the Scholastic orders. Finally talked Anika into reading it with me. She was intimidated by the size of the book and the smaller than usual font, so we alternated reading, and also both read other books in between, but we both really liked the book. It involved an Italian family heritage, death of a classmate's grandparent, an aging grandparent with Alzheimer's as a likely diagnosis, mean kids at school, good kids at school, annoying yet loving sibling, good parents, importance of a school project, and a middle school girl who genuinely loves running - how could we go wrong?
May 19, 2016
At first I was really angry at the parents who seemed to put their needs first and still berate Gianna for not getting her leaf project done. Gianna's world is changing: her best friend, Zig, is looking at her different; her grandmother is fading away; and the pressures of getting homework done and staying on the track team with a nasty middle-schooler girl wanting her spot on the team. This is a great book to read about balancing life, remembering the past and looking forward to the future.
July 25, 2016
We all know what it is like to have a big school project to to do. Gianna has that on her plate and more. If she doesn't complete her science assignment in time (collecting, identifying and providing information about 25 leaves), her nemesis Bianca will take her place at the cross-country meet sectionals. And that absolutely can NOT happen. Add in some difficult family moments (Gianna's grandma Nonna is experiencing the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease) and you've got a winner of a book.
Reviewed by Lisa Coleman, Youth Services, Vernon Area Public Library
Reviewed by Lisa Coleman, Youth Services, Vernon Area Public Library
June 29, 2009
I loved every single thing about this book - Gianna's quirky voice, the colorful personalities of the secondary characters, the gently building tension, the budding romance, and the lovely resolution.
It's clear that Walker Books loves this book, too, because their design is beautiful - I adored the right-side pages of "fluttering leaves" as you turn the pages.
Tweens are going to love this book!
It's clear that Walker Books loves this book, too, because their design is beautiful - I adored the right-side pages of "fluttering leaves" as you turn the pages.
Tweens are going to love this book!
October 9, 2012
Gianna is a great story and I really loved how Kate Messner handled the aging grandmother who is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's. Like FIRE AND ICE, it took me awhile to really fall in love with the MC, but once I did, this story was golden.
Beautiful images of leaves are now in my head, I just wish there was autumn in Singapore...
Beautiful images of leaves are now in my head, I just wish there was autumn in Singapore...
July 9, 2010
I don't read enough MG...this was terrific. Loved the lighthanded treatment of the family business (or 'undertaking')...and the budding romance...and Nonna's decline...and the mean girls. All handled deftly.
December 17, 2017
Bianca made me almost use some rather inappropriate language in front of my class. We found her quite despicable.
Rereading, February 2014, for Girls Read Book Club.
Rereading, October 2016, for Girls Read Book Club.
Rereading, February 2014, for Girls Read Book Club.
Rereading, October 2016, for Girls Read Book Club.
Read
May 5, 2009Well obviously, I've read this one, since I wrote it! Mostly, I'm just celebrating its appearance on GoodReads, even though the book won't be out until September 1st.
November 25, 2009
Just really simple and sweet, and dare I say age-appropriate? I really believed Gianna was a regular 7th grader and this story definitely felt real.
March 20, 2016
Yeah, these characters are going to stick with me for a little while! Kate Messner writes with such an authentic voice for middle grade kids.
March 26, 2014
I read (or start to) this book to my kids every year! Sometimes they catch on, sometimes it falters...but I LOVE this book. It so perfectly captures just the "right" group of kids.
October 21, 2024
I liked this book as a child and reread it once as a teenager, but I've never loved it as much as I do today. It's not just for nostalgic reasons, but for the perspective I have now, things I realize now, about my childhood, that this children's book was showing me all along. It was painfully beautiful to read about Gianna Z. and the struggles she was experiencing that mirrored my own troubles. Not everything was the same, but it would mention something so close to my heart that I would just feel taken aback. Her frizzy, curly red hair and the way her skin would blush so easily that it would embarrass her. Her grandmother, Nonna (mine was Nana, pronounced Naw-Naw) the best person in her life, developing Alzheimer's. Her love of being outside, her love of art. Her stuffed animals hiding paint splatters on the wall (I had a cat sticker hiding a little hole in the wall). Being bullied. Feeling disconnected from her parents in different ways. I loved reading this again.
I noticed so many more things this time as I read and I hope to read this many more times in the future. This book was just what I needed right now. It made me misty-eyed, but gave me hope. Something Nonna said reminded me of my childhood, something I'd only notice now, looking back: "Because you should be creating your art and running through the mud and catching leaves." She was talking about keeping the bad news of her mental state from Gianna because she's a kid and shouldn't have to carry those worries and burdens. Nobody kept the bad stuff from me. My parents didn't worry about my childhood. They were too caught up in their own drama and generational trauma, passing it on to me. If only my Nana had been in my life longer and hadn't developed Alzheimer's so early on... Also, the poem "Birches" by Robert Frost acting as sort of a motif was really beautiful. "So was I once myself a swinger of birches. / And so I dream of going back to be." I dream of going back to childhood innocence, when invisible scars didn't mar my brain, but I can only push forward, and return occasionally through healing my inner child. Is it silly to feel this way about a children's book? I don't think so. I think they need to be studied more. They shape us. They meet us where we are as kids, exploring the issues we feel we are alone in having, then comfort us when we return older, wiser, but with our past problems still echoing.
I noticed so many more things this time as I read and I hope to read this many more times in the future. This book was just what I needed right now. It made me misty-eyed, but gave me hope. Something Nonna said reminded me of my childhood, something I'd only notice now, looking back: "Because you should be creating your art and running through the mud and catching leaves." She was talking about keeping the bad news of her mental state from Gianna because she's a kid and shouldn't have to carry those worries and burdens. Nobody kept the bad stuff from me. My parents didn't worry about my childhood. They were too caught up in their own drama and generational trauma, passing it on to me. If only my Nana had been in my life longer and hadn't developed Alzheimer's so early on... Also, the poem "Birches" by Robert Frost acting as sort of a motif was really beautiful. "So was I once myself a swinger of birches. / And so I dream of going back to be." I dream of going back to childhood innocence, when invisible scars didn't mar my brain, but I can only push forward, and return occasionally through healing my inner child. Is it silly to feel this way about a children's book? I don't think so. I think they need to be studied more. They shape us. They meet us where we are as kids, exploring the issues we feel we are alone in having, then comfort us when we return older, wiser, but with our past problems still echoing.
October 25, 2024
Rating: 4.5
The characters in this book are vivid and leap off the pages with their distinct personalities and traits. They are well-developed, each showcasing an important learning experience and connection that I believe young readers will be able to feel and relate to. Gianna Z is a realistic and highly artistic character who expresses her love for art, family, learning, and struggles in a way that allows readers to connect and explore these challenges and passions alongside her as the story unfolds. The writing is vivid, imaginative, and realistic, immersing the reader in the book's autumnal setting, learning valuable lessons with each falling leaf. The plot is well-developed and engaging, although some character decisions, like Gianna not confiding in an adult about a classmate sabotaging her leaf project, may raise questions. The book tackles themes of bullying, procrastination, school projects, Alzheimer's, and varied approaches to learning and difficult subjects adeptly. What particularly appealed to me about this book were the realistic elements woven throughout, from Gianna's procrastination on her project to her unique approach to completing it, her grandmother's handling of memory loss, the friendship between Gianna and Zig, the differing parenting styles of Gianna's parents, and the vivid artistic imagery portrayed through Gianna's artwork and Ian's photography. The leaf project adds an intriguing and artistic learning dimension to the story, especially when Zig and Gianna assign tree personalities to people they know and the various ways Gianna and her classmates infuse the project with their individual touches. "The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z" is a compelling middle-grade novel for readers seeking a story that addresses themes of bullying, procrastination, family challenges, friendship, and the journey of embracing one's personality and traits, much like Gianna does through her art.
The characters in this book are vivid and leap off the pages with their distinct personalities and traits. They are well-developed, each showcasing an important learning experience and connection that I believe young readers will be able to feel and relate to. Gianna Z is a realistic and highly artistic character who expresses her love for art, family, learning, and struggles in a way that allows readers to connect and explore these challenges and passions alongside her as the story unfolds. The writing is vivid, imaginative, and realistic, immersing the reader in the book's autumnal setting, learning valuable lessons with each falling leaf. The plot is well-developed and engaging, although some character decisions, like Gianna not confiding in an adult about a classmate sabotaging her leaf project, may raise questions. The book tackles themes of bullying, procrastination, school projects, Alzheimer's, and varied approaches to learning and difficult subjects adeptly. What particularly appealed to me about this book were the realistic elements woven throughout, from Gianna's procrastination on her project to her unique approach to completing it, her grandmother's handling of memory loss, the friendship between Gianna and Zig, the differing parenting styles of Gianna's parents, and the vivid artistic imagery portrayed through Gianna's artwork and Ian's photography. The leaf project adds an intriguing and artistic learning dimension to the story, especially when Zig and Gianna assign tree personalities to people they know and the various ways Gianna and her classmates infuse the project with their individual touches. "The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z" is a compelling middle-grade novel for readers seeking a story that addresses themes of bullying, procrastination, family challenges, friendship, and the journey of embracing one's personality and traits, much like Gianna does through her art.
January 1, 2018
The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. is a school based novel by Kate Messner. The main character is Gianna Zales, often called Gee, who loves art, sport and even poetry, but not science. However to be eligible to represent the school in the cross country, her science teacher has stipulated she must pass her latest science project, which is a problem because Gianna hasn’t even started.
The science project involves collecting 25 leaves from different trees, plus identifying and documenting them. Fortunately her good friend Zig, whose real name is Rigby is a science whiz, and eager to help. However, Gianna’s science project faces many obstructions including a sabotage attempt from a running rival, a hunt for her lost grandma and an interfering mother.
Meanwhile, Gianna has more pressing problems. Gianna’s grandmother lives with the family and has become very forgetful of late. Gianna’s Dad runs his own funeral business and her mother is busy with the bookwork, plus her other interests serving on several committees. No one seems to be taking her Grandma’s growing forgetfulness seriously.
This is an easy to read, well written story with a subtle message of the importance of relationships over achievements.
Thanks to Christian School Supplier for providing a free book for review.
The science project involves collecting 25 leaves from different trees, plus identifying and documenting them. Fortunately her good friend Zig, whose real name is Rigby is a science whiz, and eager to help. However, Gianna’s science project faces many obstructions including a sabotage attempt from a running rival, a hunt for her lost grandma and an interfering mother.
Meanwhile, Gianna has more pressing problems. Gianna’s grandmother lives with the family and has become very forgetful of late. Gianna’s Dad runs his own funeral business and her mother is busy with the bookwork, plus her other interests serving on several committees. No one seems to be taking her Grandma’s growing forgetfulness seriously.
This is an easy to read, well written story with a subtle message of the importance of relationships over achievements.
Thanks to Christian School Supplier for providing a free book for review.
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June 7, 2021'The Brilliant Fall Of Gianna Z' is a refreshing, simple middle-grade read after all the complex YA and upper middle-grades, similar to cool mist rushing in a hot summer day.
Gianna's grandmother is showing signs of Alzheimer's, meanwhile Gianna losses memories easily and has to run against a rival who cares about looks- not strategy. All she wants is life to shut down so she can complete her Science project of collecting leaves - which she is in danger of failing. Luckily her caring family, supportive friends are always helping her, including her Science project and rivalry run.
In fact, I'm quite amazed of the author's quick writing development. I read one of her books earlier before and I thought I was going to throw up in angst of the failing-school spoiled girl's life
Gianna's grandmother is showing signs of Alzheimer's, meanwhile Gianna losses memories easily and has to run against a rival who cares about looks- not strategy. All she wants is life to shut down so she can complete her Science project of collecting leaves - which she is in danger of failing. Luckily her caring family, supportive friends are always helping her, including her Science project and rivalry run.
In fact, I'm quite amazed of the author's quick writing development. I read one of her books earlier before and I thought I was going to throw up in angst of the failing-school spoiled girl's life
January 10, 2018
After devouring Kate Messner's recent companion to this book, The Exact Location of Home, I immediately had to find and read this book. I was not disappointed! Written 9 years apart but with overlapping characters and setting, it felt seamless. I'd really love a book about Ruby now, who was more prominent in Home, but played an important role in Fall. Knowing about Nonna from the newer book did not take anything away from this novel either. I also loved that Gianna is artsy and athletic, scatter-brained and loyal. Not a cookie cutter heroine.
March 12, 2018
I loved everything about this book! Gianna Z. is a character that kids will immediately love. She is creative, full of energy and constantly missing her school deadlines. When her teacher assigns a leaf collection project Gianna knows she will get it done on time. Her qualification for running in sectionals depends on it. But Nonna, her grandmother, is forgetting more and more every day and Bianca, the mean girl at school is determined to take Gianna’s place running in sectionals. It’s a good thing Gianna has great friends like Zig! This book is a must read!
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