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The Discovery of Flight
The Discovery of Flight is a novel in two voices about the relationship between two sisters, the older of whom is disabled by cerebral palsy and only able to communicate with assistive technology (she can control her computer by moving her eyes). It interweaves the fantasy novel sixteen-year-old Libby is writing for Sophie's thirteenth birthday, and Sophie's diary, in which she discusses the deteriorating condition of her older sister. The book's title is also the title of Libby's novel, in which Libby takes the form of a hawk telepathically linked to a girl who, like her sister, is a good artist. Sophie's diary is in fact illustrated with the occasional black-and-white drawing. The sicker Libby gets, the more she retreats into her novel and the less she interacts with the outside world. Though the situation is tragic, Sophie's voice is extremely funny and wry. In addition, through her storytelling, Libby becomes a heroic figure rather than a helpless victim. After Libby's death, the girls' mother presents Sophie with the novel and Sophie writes its final chapter, bringing the voices of the two girls together.
- GenresDisability
188 pages, Paperback
Published April 23, 2018
53 people want to read
About the author
Susan Glickman
26 books37 followersSusan Glickman grew up in Montréal and speaks both English and French. She started out as a dance and drama major at Tufts University in Boston, migrated to Greece for a year of amateur archaeology and professional tanning, and ended up with a double first in English from Oxford University. She finally returned to Canada in 1977, after answering phones and weeding through the slush pile for Sidgwick and Jackson Publishers in London, England, to work for a very small left-wing press in Toronto.
This job somehow inspired her to return to university to write a doctoral dissertation on Shakespeare at the University of Toronto, where she taught English and Canadian literature and creative writing until 1993, first full time on a short term contract, then as a post-doc, then as a Canada Research Fellow. Since then, while raising two children with her husband, glass artist Toan Klein, she has taught creative writing at the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, the Avenue Road School of the Arts, and online with Writers in Electronic Residence, and has been a sought-after guest teacher at numerous institutions including Concordia University, Queen’s University, and Franklin University in Indiana, USA. Glickman also works as a freelance editor, mostly of academic books for McGill-Queen’s University Press.
She is the author of seven volumes of poetry, most recently What We Carry (2019). Her first novel, The Violin Lover (Goose Lane, 2006) won the Canadian Jewish Book Award for fiction and was named one of the year’s best novels by The National Post. Her second, The Tale-Teller (Cormorant, 2012), was a best-seller in Quebec after appearing in French as Les Aventures étranges et surprenantes d'Esther Brandeau, moussaillon (Editions du Boréal: 2013). Her Toronto murder mystery, Safe as Houses, was published in 2015, and her YA novel The Discovery of Flight in 2018.. Her first children’s book, Bernadette and the Lunch Bunch, was named one of the best books of 2008 by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, and was followed by two others, also highly praised: Bernadette in the Doghouse (2011) and Bernadette to the Rescue (2012); all three were translated into French by Editions du Boréal. Her literary history, The Picturesque & the Sublime: A Poetics of the Canadian Landscape (McGill-Queen's University Press, 1998) won both the Gabrielle Roy Prize for the best work of English Canadian literary criticism and the Raymond Klibansky Prize for the best work in the Humanities.
This job somehow inspired her to return to university to write a doctoral dissertation on Shakespeare at the University of Toronto, where she taught English and Canadian literature and creative writing until 1993, first full time on a short term contract, then as a post-doc, then as a Canada Research Fellow. Since then, while raising two children with her husband, glass artist Toan Klein, she has taught creative writing at the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, the Avenue Road School of the Arts, and online with Writers in Electronic Residence, and has been a sought-after guest teacher at numerous institutions including Concordia University, Queen’s University, and Franklin University in Indiana, USA. Glickman also works as a freelance editor, mostly of academic books for McGill-Queen’s University Press.
She is the author of seven volumes of poetry, most recently What We Carry (2019). Her first novel, The Violin Lover (Goose Lane, 2006) won the Canadian Jewish Book Award for fiction and was named one of the year’s best novels by The National Post. Her second, The Tale-Teller (Cormorant, 2012), was a best-seller in Quebec after appearing in French as Les Aventures étranges et surprenantes d'Esther Brandeau, moussaillon (Editions du Boréal: 2013). Her Toronto murder mystery, Safe as Houses, was published in 2015, and her YA novel The Discovery of Flight in 2018.. Her first children’s book, Bernadette and the Lunch Bunch, was named one of the best books of 2008 by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, and was followed by two others, also highly praised: Bernadette in the Doghouse (2011) and Bernadette to the Rescue (2012); all three were translated into French by Editions du Boréal. Her literary history, The Picturesque & the Sublime: A Poetics of the Canadian Landscape (McGill-Queen's University Press, 1998) won both the Gabrielle Roy Prize for the best work of English Canadian literary criticism and the Raymond Klibansky Prize for the best work in the Humanities.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 5, 2020
I haven't read a lot of books that feature a character with a disability as a main character, but this book showed cerebral palsy in such a harrowing way. I never understood the challenges that the families have to face while taking care of somebody with this degenerative disease. I loved how well the bonds of sisterhood were written in this novel, and even though Libby was not able to speak, it's obvious how much she loves her sister, which we find out through the story she writes for Sophie.
I liked how this story alternated between Sophie's journal and Libby's story because even though the sisters have a very different way of discussing how they feel about each other, their feelings were exactly the same.
I'm not ashamed to say this book made me cry, yet I'm really happy I got an opportunity to read this.
I liked how this story alternated between Sophie's journal and Libby's story because even though the sisters have a very different way of discussing how they feel about each other, their feelings were exactly the same.
I'm not ashamed to say this book made me cry, yet I'm really happy I got an opportunity to read this.
June 26, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this poignant story of two sisters, their love for each other, and their remarkable journeys as individuals. Libby, the eldest, has cerebral palsy and is unable to communicate except through movements of her eyes. Sophie, the younger, struggles with her guilt over being healthy and unable to help her sister except in what she feels are the most trivial of ways. Sophie’s part of the story is presented as a journal she has to keep for a school assignment. In it she describes her trials at school, her awareness of how poorly disabled people are treated, and her arguments with God over the unfairness of Libby’s life. Libby’s part is portrayed as a novel she writes as a gift for her sister. In it the main character represents Sophie and her Hawk companion is Libby and the story offers Sophie help for overcoming her challenges and fears. Through each of these sections we come to love and admire two courageous souls. Beautifully written, this story is uplifting and delightful. The book offers a wonderful opportunity to discuss issues around disability and religion.
May 30, 2018
What a moving book - I couldn't put it down. The sisters' contrasting voices work so well - one of them in the journal of Sophie, a wry and engaging twelve-year-old and the other her older sister Libby - ill with cerebral palsy, yet writing a poetic novel (The Discovery of Flight) as a gift for Sophie about a girl who communicates telepathically with a red-tailed hawk. The soaring bird seems to embody the spirit of Libby, so locked in herself, yet as deeply connected to her sister Sophie as her fictional creation is to the hawk. This is a young adult novel, yet older adults will enjoy it, too. Give a copy to a teenager - or a sibling - you love.
February 12, 2021
When I saw the blurb for The Discovery of Flight I was instantly intrigued. Not many books, especially aimed at YA/Teen, spotlight life as, or with, a person with a disability. As someone whose sister is non verbal autistic (as well as she is missing a leg/has a prosthetic) I was SO excited to dig into this tale told by two sisters.
The story starts with 12 year old Sophia, the younger typically abled sister, writing in her journal as an assignment for class. Her entries are very much so the typical 12 year old, full of malcontent and sassiness. I found some of the language used a bit off putting (referring to her sister as “a stick figured strapped into a wheelchair”), when she also often advocates for people not treating people with disabilities differently. But she is 12, and lets be real, one cannot always be perfectly politically correct. I especially loved the parts where Sophia was questioning religion and found that to be very insightful. I also related so much to parts where she talked about being invisible in comparison to all her sisters' ailments, and how hard that can be even though she loves her sister more than anything.
The alternating parts in this book are in the perspective of 16 yr old Libby who was born with cerebral palsy. Her parts however don't ever speak from personal experience so we do not get to know her at all, which is slightly disappointing, but only momentarily until her story unfolds. She uses a computer controlled by her eye movements (the only part of her body she can control) to write Sophia a novel for her 13th birthday. Let me tell you what, the novel inside this novel is a true gem and I wish the author Susan Haracka would make a full length book from it later on. The story Libby writes unfolds in a beautiful way that almost mirrors Libby and Sophia's relationship in a very A-typical way.
This is a beautifully told story of sisterhood in a messy real life situation, with an ending that will leave you speechless.
Sophia's narrator did an excellent job portraying a young adolescent which I really appreciated, and Libby’s narrator has a silky smooth voice that was perfect for her part as well.
Thank you to NetGalley, Susan Haracka and Inanna Publications for an ARC in return for my honest review.
The story starts with 12 year old Sophia, the younger typically abled sister, writing in her journal as an assignment for class. Her entries are very much so the typical 12 year old, full of malcontent and sassiness. I found some of the language used a bit off putting (referring to her sister as “a stick figured strapped into a wheelchair”), when she also often advocates for people not treating people with disabilities differently. But she is 12, and lets be real, one cannot always be perfectly politically correct. I especially loved the parts where Sophia was questioning religion and found that to be very insightful. I also related so much to parts where she talked about being invisible in comparison to all her sisters' ailments, and how hard that can be even though she loves her sister more than anything.
The alternating parts in this book are in the perspective of 16 yr old Libby who was born with cerebral palsy. Her parts however don't ever speak from personal experience so we do not get to know her at all, which is slightly disappointing, but only momentarily until her story unfolds. She uses a computer controlled by her eye movements (the only part of her body she can control) to write Sophia a novel for her 13th birthday. Let me tell you what, the novel inside this novel is a true gem and I wish the author Susan Haracka would make a full length book from it later on. The story Libby writes unfolds in a beautiful way that almost mirrors Libby and Sophia's relationship in a very A-typical way.
This is a beautifully told story of sisterhood in a messy real life situation, with an ending that will leave you speechless.
Sophia's narrator did an excellent job portraying a young adolescent which I really appreciated, and Libby’s narrator has a silky smooth voice that was perfect for her part as well.
Thank you to NetGalley, Susan Haracka and Inanna Publications for an ARC in return for my honest review.
February 18, 2023
Loved this audiobook. We flip flopped between Sophie's narration of her life with her disabled sister Libby and a tale about Tara and her relationship with an eagle who she can speak to telepathically. Sophie is 12 going on 13, her voice is bubbly and excited. She is a lovable chatterbox with important things to say. The tale of Tara and the eagle is a slower paced story full of symbolism and wisdom. Libby's inner feelings and thoughts are represented through Isla the eagle.
I loved the interweaving of the stories. The author did a fantastic job of taking two very different voices/stories and pulling out themes, perspectives and ideas.
I loved the love between these two sisters. They understood each other. Libby's disability limits her in many ways but she is a full person. Through Sophie's eyes we see Libby as a person, not a disability. Sophie understands and feels badly that Libby can't experience life in the way that Sophie can but Sophie recognizes Libby's intelligence, feelings and challenges and how that makes her a full person. Libby recognizes that her disability and illness has an affect on Sophie's life too. She loves her sister and is trying to prepare her for what lies in the future.
Sisterhood, family, disability, Judaism, faith, God, rebuilding, tragedy, birds, , nature, flight, freedom, death... There are so many themes and layers to this book. It is rich.
I listened to this as an audiobook. The narration was great. They did an excellent job of using Sophie's voice as a fast talking 12 year old contrasted with a slower paced, deep, rich vocabulary Tara/Isla.
Overall, a great read. I would recommend it to all who enjoy a good story with rich themes and well developed characters who feel like family. I had a good hard cry at the end.
I loved the interweaving of the stories. The author did a fantastic job of taking two very different voices/stories and pulling out themes, perspectives and ideas.
I loved the love between these two sisters. They understood each other. Libby's disability limits her in many ways but she is a full person. Through Sophie's eyes we see Libby as a person, not a disability. Sophie understands and feels badly that Libby can't experience life in the way that Sophie can but Sophie recognizes Libby's intelligence, feelings and challenges and how that makes her a full person. Libby recognizes that her disability and illness has an affect on Sophie's life too. She loves her sister and is trying to prepare her for what lies in the future.
Sisterhood, family, disability, Judaism, faith, God, rebuilding, tragedy, birds, , nature, flight, freedom, death... There are so many themes and layers to this book. It is rich.
I listened to this as an audiobook. The narration was great. They did an excellent job of using Sophie's voice as a fast talking 12 year old contrasted with a slower paced, deep, rich vocabulary Tara/Isla.
Overall, a great read. I would recommend it to all who enjoy a good story with rich themes and well developed characters who feel like family. I had a good hard cry at the end.
November 2, 2018
A little hard on the heart at times, but a lovely story of sisterhood.
The Discovery Of Flight alternates between twelve year old Sophie’s school assigned journal during the year leading up to her bat mitzvah, and her sixteen year old sister, Libby’s secret gift for Sophie, a medieval story about the bond between a girl and a hawk that echoes Libby and Sophie’s relationship.
Sophie’s journal entries have a free-flowing authentic feel, she’s inquisitive, passionate and opinionated, which I loved, she questions religion and her teachers in ways that seem true to her age and thoughtful, she advocates for and adores her sister refusing to tolerate anything less than respect for her, and there’s such a good arc where this socially aware girl comes to realize that she hasn’t be quite as aware of her grandmother and how deep down they are more like-minded than she knew.
Cerebral Palsy has Sophie’s older sister, Libby, unable to communicate in the traditional way, yet through her sister’s journal, and through Libby’s fiction, you discover her as a person, her intelligence and her dreams and how very much alive she is within her uncooperative body, she feels every bit as dimensional as Sophie in the book even though she doesn’t express herself in as direct a manner, the story very much belongs to both sisters, not just the verbal one.
Though a short read, it’s impressive how in so few pages, and in a simple writing style, the contemporary and fantasy segments weave together this fully-realized, heartwarming story of sisters, by the end you feel like you’ve truly known and loved these girls.
I received this book through a giveaway.
The Discovery Of Flight alternates between twelve year old Sophie’s school assigned journal during the year leading up to her bat mitzvah, and her sixteen year old sister, Libby’s secret gift for Sophie, a medieval story about the bond between a girl and a hawk that echoes Libby and Sophie’s relationship.
Sophie’s journal entries have a free-flowing authentic feel, she’s inquisitive, passionate and opinionated, which I loved, she questions religion and her teachers in ways that seem true to her age and thoughtful, she advocates for and adores her sister refusing to tolerate anything less than respect for her, and there’s such a good arc where this socially aware girl comes to realize that she hasn’t be quite as aware of her grandmother and how deep down they are more like-minded than she knew.
Cerebral Palsy has Sophie’s older sister, Libby, unable to communicate in the traditional way, yet through her sister’s journal, and through Libby’s fiction, you discover her as a person, her intelligence and her dreams and how very much alive she is within her uncooperative body, she feels every bit as dimensional as Sophie in the book even though she doesn’t express herself in as direct a manner, the story very much belongs to both sisters, not just the verbal one.
Though a short read, it’s impressive how in so few pages, and in a simple writing style, the contemporary and fantasy segments weave together this fully-realized, heartwarming story of sisters, by the end you feel like you’ve truly known and loved these girls.
I received this book through a giveaway.
October 5, 2018
This story has 2 main characters, 16 y.o. Libby who has Cerebral Palsy and her 12 y.o sister Sophie who is writing a journal for her English class. The novel alters between Sophie's journal entries and Libby's fantasy story that she is writing through her computer as a gift to her sister.
The fantasy story is the heart and soul of the novel about a hawk who has a telepathic connection to a human girl which speaks about the interconnectedness of all things. Done from the point of view of someone who cannot walk or speak, it encourages young readers to view people in wheelchairs as a person with potential.
Sophie's portion of the novel deals with more mundane affairs and her voice is one of strong opinions as she watches people react to Libby. She, too, has a deep love of animals that connects her to her sister in touching ways.
The novel's end is rather heartbreaking that will have readers catching their breath in surprise.
The fantasy story is the heart and soul of the novel about a hawk who has a telepathic connection to a human girl which speaks about the interconnectedness of all things. Done from the point of view of someone who cannot walk or speak, it encourages young readers to view people in wheelchairs as a person with potential.
Sophie's portion of the novel deals with more mundane affairs and her voice is one of strong opinions as she watches people react to Libby. She, too, has a deep love of animals that connects her to her sister in touching ways.
The novel's end is rather heartbreaking that will have readers catching their breath in surprise.
January 4, 2019
A beautiful read, The Discovery of Flight shares the tale of the unique sibling relationship between seventeen year-old Libby and 12 year-old Sophie. Able to communicate only with a board because she has cerebral palsy, Libby's world is much different from her younger sister's, expressed through a fantasy story she is writing for Sophie's 13th birthday. Sophie is in the midst of preparing for her bat mitzvah, writing a journal for homework and exploring the deep questions of life. As Libby's health worsens, both must deal with their changing relationship, and Sophie's heartfelt observations reveal a powerful coming of age story.
January 1, 2023
A beautiful novel on sisterhood, the power of none verbal communication, and the heartbreaking weight Cerebral Palsy imposes on one family. Readers will enjoy experiencing alternating narrative from both sister. Both Sophie and Libby draw readers in through their writing which I found to be a fun touch. I’ll
A bit of a tear jerker that is suitable for readers of all ages keeping in mind the topic of terminal illness.
🌟🌟🌟💫✨3.5 stars for me, wishing only that Sophie could have shared more of her journey after receiving her sisters book.
A bit of a tear jerker that is suitable for readers of all ages keeping in mind the topic of terminal illness.
🌟🌟🌟💫✨3.5 stars for me, wishing only that Sophie could have shared more of her journey after receiving her sisters book.
September 3, 2018
Awesome book! So fascinating and sad and insightful. It amazes me how Susan can capture the emotions - both happy and sad - of the young woman with cerebral palsy, as well as the family and friends who love her. Couldn't put it down. Read it!
April 17, 2022
Listened to audiobook / read ebook combo
(audiobook was narrated by Shauna Haracka)
August 18, 2018
Susan Glickman's The Discovery of Flight is incredible! It's two books in one: the lively, teenage sister dealing with school, parents, boys ( sort of), and life with a disabled sister— and the powerful speculative fiction written by the disabled sister. Plus drawings!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews