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Jumping Off Swings #1
Jumping Off Swings
One pregnancy. Four friends. It all adds up to a profound time of change in this poignant, sensitively written YA novel.
Ellie remembers how the boys kissed her. Touched her. How they begged for more. And when she gave it to them, she felt loved. For a while anyway. So when Josh, an eager virgin with a troubled home life, leads her from a party to the backseat of his van, Ellie follows. But their "one-time thing" is far from perfect: Ellie gets pregnant. Josh reacts with shame and heartbreak, while their confidantes, Caleb and Corinne, deal with their own complex swirl of emotions. No matter what Ellie chooses, all four teenagers will be forced to grow up a little faster as a result. Told alternately from each character’s point of view, this deeply insightful novel explores the aftershocks of the biggest decision of one fragile girl’s life — and the realities of leaving innocence behind.
Ellie remembers how the boys kissed her. Touched her. How they begged for more. And when she gave it to them, she felt loved. For a while anyway. So when Josh, an eager virgin with a troubled home life, leads her from a party to the backseat of his van, Ellie follows. But their "one-time thing" is far from perfect: Ellie gets pregnant. Josh reacts with shame and heartbreak, while their confidantes, Caleb and Corinne, deal with their own complex swirl of emotions. No matter what Ellie chooses, all four teenagers will be forced to grow up a little faster as a result. Told alternately from each character’s point of view, this deeply insightful novel explores the aftershocks of the biggest decision of one fragile girl’s life — and the realities of leaving innocence behind.
230 pages, Hardcover
First published August 11, 2009
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11236 people want to read
About the author
Jo Knowles
11 books768 followersHi! I'm the author of several books for kids and teens. including Ear Worm!,Meant To Be, and See You at Harry's. I'm available for school, library and book club visits either in person or via Zoom. For more info, please visit www.joknowles.com Thanks! :-)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 628 reviews
December 26, 2011
As someone who, at 17, has read more books than most people twice my age, it is rare that I say a book is 'one of my favorites' because it is too hard to pick favorites. However, Jumping Off Swings is one of the best books I've ever read-a blunt, raw look at teenage pregnancy as well as alcoholism, abortion, loyalty and the deep rooted problems teenagers face in their lives.
The novel is told from the perspectives of four characters: Ellie, an insecure girl who sleeps around in a misguided attempt to gain self esteem; Corinne, who despite being a thoroughly decent person is often overlooked by both boys and girls for being shy and reserved; Josh, a boy with a tough home life who is genuinely good at heart, but a little lost; and Caleb, a closed off boy struggling with his own identity. The four teens are thrown together when Josh gets Ellie pregnant. What follows is a very stark look at how many lives are affected by one action.
What makes this novel an important book for teenagers to read is the fact that it is about much more than a pregnancy. It is about how one catalyst can drastically change a young person's life. Most teens will relate to at least one of the four vastly unique narrators. The novel brings to light the hard truth that mistakes can change us, for better or worse. It's about refusing to let a bad home life affect us (Josh). Staying true to our own values (Corinne). Accepting that we cannot control everything (Caleb). And not letting our pasts define us (Ellie). This novel is important. It speaks to teenagers in a way that is clear and open.
The novel is told from the perspectives of four characters: Ellie, an insecure girl who sleeps around in a misguided attempt to gain self esteem; Corinne, who despite being a thoroughly decent person is often overlooked by both boys and girls for being shy and reserved; Josh, a boy with a tough home life who is genuinely good at heart, but a little lost; and Caleb, a closed off boy struggling with his own identity. The four teens are thrown together when Josh gets Ellie pregnant. What follows is a very stark look at how many lives are affected by one action.
What makes this novel an important book for teenagers to read is the fact that it is about much more than a pregnancy. It is about how one catalyst can drastically change a young person's life. Most teens will relate to at least one of the four vastly unique narrators. The novel brings to light the hard truth that mistakes can change us, for better or worse. It's about refusing to let a bad home life affect us (Josh). Staying true to our own values (Corinne). Accepting that we cannot control everything (Caleb). And not letting our pasts define us (Ellie). This novel is important. It speaks to teenagers in a way that is clear and open.
December 10, 2009
This was a fairly quick read, as it was relatively short.
However, this book was fairly dull. No surprises, no new additions to the "teen gets pregnant and ruins her life" genre. It was incredibly drab and cliche in the characterization of teenagers as irresponsible when it comes to sex. If anything, that's what turned me off the most. It even angered me. Just what we need - another book like this about "these darn kids today".
I was quite disappointed, as the blurb had made it seem so much more than that. This could have been a more positive story with a more sex-positive and healthy attitude toward things.
(crossposted from librarything.)
However, this book was fairly dull. No surprises, no new additions to the "teen gets pregnant and ruins her life" genre. It was incredibly drab and cliche in the characterization of teenagers as irresponsible when it comes to sex. If anything, that's what turned me off the most. It even angered me. Just what we need - another book like this about "these darn kids today".
I was quite disappointed, as the blurb had made it seem so much more than that. This could have been a more positive story with a more sex-positive and healthy attitude toward things.
(crossposted from librarything.)
June 11, 2012
Extremely disappointing.
With teenage pregnancy such an issue today and with the extreme popularity of shows like 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom, I can't understand why there isn't one novel out there that isn't at least somewhat realistic.
For the first few chapters, I thought this book had promise. I liked the way the author incorporated different character's point of views, but that was about it. My first problem with the book was when Ellie found out she was pregnant. There was no real panic, no real emotion at all. She decided she was pregnant without taking a test, went to get an abortion, changed her mind for no given reason, and decided to give her baby up for adoption.
That was the part that bothered me the most. I've read a number of teen pregnancy novels, and so far only one didn't end in adoption. This bothers me because it is completely unrealistic. There is approximately 750,000 teenage pregnancies a year in the US, and only 1% of them end in adoption. So why are 99% of the YA books about this issue the complete opposite?
I could go on for days, but really, I was just extremely disappointed in this book. It had so much potential, but in my opinion, failed miserably.
With teenage pregnancy such an issue today and with the extreme popularity of shows like 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom, I can't understand why there isn't one novel out there that isn't at least somewhat realistic.
For the first few chapters, I thought this book had promise. I liked the way the author incorporated different character's point of views, but that was about it. My first problem with the book was when Ellie found out she was pregnant. There was no real panic, no real emotion at all. She decided she was pregnant without taking a test, went to get an abortion, changed her mind for no given reason, and decided to give her baby up for adoption.
That was the part that bothered me the most. I've read a number of teen pregnancy novels, and so far only one didn't end in adoption. This bothers me because it is completely unrealistic. There is approximately 750,000 teenage pregnancies a year in the US, and only 1% of them end in adoption. So why are 99% of the YA books about this issue the complete opposite?
I could go on for days, but really, I was just extremely disappointed in this book. It had so much potential, but in my opinion, failed miserably.
August 16, 2009
Knowles did a fantastic job of depicting a delicate situation, very realistically and very emotionally, through the eyes of four characters. With so many different prominent characters, I'm sure it was no easy task making each of them three-dimensional and fully developed. Kudos to Knowles for that!
For me the novel was more than just a book about teenage pregnancy, it was the stark contrast between kids that come from a stable and loving home life, to ones that don't. Unfortunately, I think the plot relied on that a little to much.
Knowles writing flowed nicely. This was the first novel of hers that I've read, and I'm definitely a fan of her writing. Looking forward to more novels by this author.
For me the novel was more than just a book about teenage pregnancy, it was the stark contrast between kids that come from a stable and loving home life, to ones that don't. Unfortunately, I think the plot relied on that a little to much.
Knowles writing flowed nicely. This was the first novel of hers that I've read, and I'm definitely a fan of her writing. Looking forward to more novels by this author.
October 8, 2009
This book is beautifully written, but has a troubling message and lacks character development for all but one of the characters.
Only one character Caleb, is fully fleshed out, and I came away with a real sense of who he was and how he changed over the course of the book. Corinne and Josh were more frustrating. Corinne because she was there for Ellie and fell for Caleb, but I never got a sense of her interior life past her interest in Caleb. I found it interesting that out of all the characters, Corinne's family, which seemed to be "normal," was never once glimpsed, just talked about briefly.
As for Josh, his home life is very fleshed out, but other than that he's little more than the "virgin who had sex and got a girl pregnant and ends up feeling really sad." Aside from his scenes with Caleb and his father and mother, he's a very isolated character. And I'm not sure he had more than once scene with Ellie after she finds out that she's pregnant, which I would have understood except that kept seeing each other and it felt like Knowles went out of her way to make sure the characters didn't talk.
Finally, there's Ellie. Her character is desperate for love, so she has sex with boys and then gets upset when they don't talk to her afterward. She has sex with Josh at the start of the book and get pregnant and spends the remainder of the book listening to other people talk to her about her options while not doing anything except crying. She finally decides to have the baby and give it up for adoption after she can't go through with an abortion, and the book closes with her tearfully wishing she had her baby but knowing she can't.
Her home life, which is minimally described but seems to be your standard upper middle-class no one talks to each other and everyone acts perfect is full of your standard stereotypes down to druggie brother and distant dad. And, of course, perfection expecting and woefully unprepared for a pregnant daughter mom.
Ellie is very troubling. The message Knowles seems to be sending with her is that sex without love is bad, which is a fine message, but then there's also the sex equals horrible consequences message, which is disturbing. Must we go back to the days where any female character who has sex is punished by getting pregnant/being ostracized/having someone she loves dies? Two of the three happen to Ellie, who also must deal with giving her baby up for adoption.
Meanwhile, Corinne, who is a virgin, ends up in a loving relationship with Caleb, also a virgin, with the two of them sharing a "perfect" first kiss at the book's end. And Ellie and Josh who aren't virgins are miserable.
Only one character Caleb, is fully fleshed out, and I came away with a real sense of who he was and how he changed over the course of the book. Corinne and Josh were more frustrating. Corinne because she was there for Ellie and fell for Caleb, but I never got a sense of her interior life past her interest in Caleb. I found it interesting that out of all the characters, Corinne's family, which seemed to be "normal," was never once glimpsed, just talked about briefly.
As for Josh, his home life is very fleshed out, but other than that he's little more than the "virgin who had sex and got a girl pregnant and ends up feeling really sad." Aside from his scenes with Caleb and his father and mother, he's a very isolated character. And I'm not sure he had more than once scene with Ellie after she finds out that she's pregnant, which I would have understood except that kept seeing each other and it felt like Knowles went out of her way to make sure the characters didn't talk.
Finally, there's Ellie. Her character is desperate for love, so she has sex with boys and then gets upset when they don't talk to her afterward. She has sex with Josh at the start of the book and get pregnant and spends the remainder of the book listening to other people talk to her about her options while not doing anything except crying. She finally decides to have the baby and give it up for adoption after she can't go through with an abortion, and the book closes with her tearfully wishing she had her baby but knowing she can't.
Her home life, which is minimally described but seems to be your standard upper middle-class no one talks to each other and everyone acts perfect is full of your standard stereotypes down to druggie brother and distant dad. And, of course, perfection expecting and woefully unprepared for a pregnant daughter mom.
Ellie is very troubling. The message Knowles seems to be sending with her is that sex without love is bad, which is a fine message, but then there's also the sex equals horrible consequences message, which is disturbing. Must we go back to the days where any female character who has sex is punished by getting pregnant/being ostracized/having someone she loves dies? Two of the three happen to Ellie, who also must deal with giving her baby up for adoption.
Meanwhile, Corinne, who is a virgin, ends up in a loving relationship with Caleb, also a virgin, with the two of them sharing a "perfect" first kiss at the book's end. And Ellie and Josh who aren't virgins are miserable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2009
I really wanted to like this book. The multiple narrators, the difficult subject, and the numerous successful turns of phrase had me hopeful. I finished it and didn't feel it was a waste of my time. But I had so many issues with it, that I was quite happy when it was over. Among the four narrators are what most would call the primary "couple" (for lack of a better term... I realize they were not a couple at all!) and the secondary couple. When I am infinitely more interested in the characters making up that secondary couple than the first, I see trouble brewing.
The cover, which I realize is almost never an author decision, is very problematic. Is the teen reader to get the impression that fishnet stockings = slut? I certainly hope not. Although it seemed that the author was attempting to write a sort of Speak/Twisted sort of novel, instead, the characters almost all came across as weak and/or navel-gazing. The descriptions and thoughts of the teenage males in this book seemed forced and in some places, terribly unrealistic. Stereotypical scenes among the guys were far too common; the beer chugging, the locker room bravado, the locker room talk of getting laid, the locker room fistfight. Even the mostly absent parents (and siblings, for that matter) were a stereotype. Ho-hum.
The "savior" character, Caleb's mother, was yet another stereotype of teen literature. She was too good to be true, with symbolism (the snow ANGELS) that was way too obvious.
Finally, the amount of crying that took place in this novel made me feel like I needed to get out a sponge and mop up the pages. Nearly everyone, sometimes even the guys, were crying at the drop of a hat. Really? Some of the crying was justified, given this difficult topic, but some of it seemed extremely extraneous. I'm surprised an editor did not notice this and try to dry things up a bit.
The cover, which I realize is almost never an author decision, is very problematic. Is the teen reader to get the impression that fishnet stockings = slut? I certainly hope not. Although it seemed that the author was attempting to write a sort of Speak/Twisted sort of novel, instead, the characters almost all came across as weak and/or navel-gazing. The descriptions and thoughts of the teenage males in this book seemed forced and in some places, terribly unrealistic. Stereotypical scenes among the guys were far too common; the beer chugging, the locker room bravado, the locker room talk of getting laid, the locker room fistfight. Even the mostly absent parents (and siblings, for that matter) were a stereotype. Ho-hum.
The "savior" character, Caleb's mother, was yet another stereotype of teen literature. She was too good to be true, with symbolism (the snow ANGELS) that was way too obvious.
Finally, the amount of crying that took place in this novel made me feel like I needed to get out a sponge and mop up the pages. Nearly everyone, sometimes even the guys, were crying at the drop of a hat. Really? Some of the crying was justified, given this difficult topic, but some of it seemed extremely extraneous. I'm surprised an editor did not notice this and try to dry things up a bit.
September 3, 2011
Okay, wow. I read this book in a few hours. I couldn't put it down, although it was incredibly sad. The kind of sad that's sort of like watching mangled victims being pulled from a car crash with limbs missing. You really don't want to see what's happening, but you can't quite look away, and you can't decide if you want to vomit or sob.
This is a YA book, but the sex is very graphic, describing everything from how his fingers felt inside her (from both points of view), to the way his hand smelled afterwards. It's the most graphic and scandalous YA book I've read in terms of sexual content. Also, the language is very crude. If there's a nasty or dirty word invented, it's probably in this book. So, not for the faint of heart.
The book is about a girl who sleeps with guys at parties, and they all just walk out afterwards and let their friends smell their fingers to prove they hooked up. It's pretty vomit-inducting, the way the guys in this book behave. And of course they talk about her in the locker room and share their stories with each other, since they've all hooked up with this girl who thinks that if she lets a guy have sex with her (and she never seems to do much participating) that one of them will like her. Or, that THIS one will like her. This one being Josh, who takes her to the back seat of his alcoholic father's van and tells her all this stuff so she thinks he likes her, then leaves her covered by his dog blanket without even looking at her so he can go drink w/ his friends and brag about how she was all about it, "easy come, easy go." Meanwhile, the girl feels horrible (obviously) when she sees him doing the whole hand-smelling thing, so she goes and pukes and gets a ride home w/ her friend, too humiliated to show her face at the party. Josh, meanwhile, never notices that she disappeared, and never speaks to her again throughout the book. Although the author tries to make us feel sympathy for him when the girl ends up pregnant, but mostly I just wanted to kick him in the nuts. He never speaks to her again, although he supposedly feels guilty. Even when she's pregnant and he knows it's his through their mutual friend (oh yeah, this is a girl he's known since kindergarten that he's treating like this). Josh is just glad she's not asking him for money, that she's taking care of it. Actually, he says he feels guilty about that, but he never even says sorry or says one word to her. Nice guy. Really. I felt SO sorry for HIM having to see her walking around pregnant and alone.
Mostly, this book just made me hate guys a whole lot. The only good people in it are the girl's friend and the guy-friend's mom. Everyone is totally screwed up and the main girl goes through her whole pregnancy completely alone. It made me want to cry a lot, for a long, long time. Even the good-guy who was her friend only feels sorry for Josh and never tries to make anything better or get Josh to be a man and at least help the girl out when she goes to get an abortion. Or talk to her or something. Anyway, every guy in this book is completely evil, not active evil, but like evil inside by not doing anything to stop the awful things going on. At least the friend's mom and the friend are somewhat supportive. And the main girl is just pretty much pathetic and heartbreakingly needy, but pretty transparent. She was not as well-developed as the others. You never really feel like you know her, only that she wants love so desperately and never gets it from anyone. And she never seems to get mad about the guys using her and leaving her crying or puking from being so upset. I really wanted someone to stand up to Josh and put him in his place, but everyone just felt sorry for him, most of all himself. He constantly says how he's such a screw-up and he didn't come through for Ellie or be there for her, but he never even tries! Not even to maybe say hi to her in the hall. He just avoids her and brags about their hookup to his buddies and gets drunk a lot. Then he feels sorry for himself b/c he wasn't there for her, even though she would probably have let him if he tried anything. But no, he never even attempts to do one.single.thing. Oh, right, he DOES apparently write her an apology note, although we never see it. Really? A NOTE!!??
Gaaa! This book made me so mad, mostly because it was very realistic as to who is held responsible and who ends up taking the fall and bearing the burder when two people have sex. The girl gets labeled a slut b/c she's pregnant and it's like a badge on her stomach, and the guys who just used her so they could say they got laid just laugh about it in the locker room and smell each other's fingers. Disgusting and tragic, but not untrue.
This is a YA book, but the sex is very graphic, describing everything from how his fingers felt inside her (from both points of view), to the way his hand smelled afterwards. It's the most graphic and scandalous YA book I've read in terms of sexual content. Also, the language is very crude. If there's a nasty or dirty word invented, it's probably in this book. So, not for the faint of heart.
The book is about a girl who sleeps with guys at parties, and they all just walk out afterwards and let their friends smell their fingers to prove they hooked up. It's pretty vomit-inducting, the way the guys in this book behave. And of course they talk about her in the locker room and share their stories with each other, since they've all hooked up with this girl who thinks that if she lets a guy have sex with her (and she never seems to do much participating) that one of them will like her. Or, that THIS one will like her. This one being Josh, who takes her to the back seat of his alcoholic father's van and tells her all this stuff so she thinks he likes her, then leaves her covered by his dog blanket without even looking at her so he can go drink w/ his friends and brag about how she was all about it, "easy come, easy go." Meanwhile, the girl feels horrible (obviously) when she sees him doing the whole hand-smelling thing, so she goes and pukes and gets a ride home w/ her friend, too humiliated to show her face at the party. Josh, meanwhile, never notices that she disappeared, and never speaks to her again throughout the book. Although the author tries to make us feel sympathy for him when the girl ends up pregnant, but mostly I just wanted to kick him in the nuts. He never speaks to her again, although he supposedly feels guilty. Even when she's pregnant and he knows it's his through their mutual friend (oh yeah, this is a girl he's known since kindergarten that he's treating like this). Josh is just glad she's not asking him for money, that she's taking care of it. Actually, he says he feels guilty about that, but he never even says sorry or says one word to her. Nice guy. Really. I felt SO sorry for HIM having to see her walking around pregnant and alone.
Mostly, this book just made me hate guys a whole lot. The only good people in it are the girl's friend and the guy-friend's mom. Everyone is totally screwed up and the main girl goes through her whole pregnancy completely alone. It made me want to cry a lot, for a long, long time. Even the good-guy who was her friend only feels sorry for Josh and never tries to make anything better or get Josh to be a man and at least help the girl out when she goes to get an abortion. Or talk to her or something. Anyway, every guy in this book is completely evil, not active evil, but like evil inside by not doing anything to stop the awful things going on. At least the friend's mom and the friend are somewhat supportive. And the main girl is just pretty much pathetic and heartbreakingly needy, but pretty transparent. She was not as well-developed as the others. You never really feel like you know her, only that she wants love so desperately and never gets it from anyone. And she never seems to get mad about the guys using her and leaving her crying or puking from being so upset. I really wanted someone to stand up to Josh and put him in his place, but everyone just felt sorry for him, most of all himself. He constantly says how he's such a screw-up and he didn't come through for Ellie or be there for her, but he never even tries! Not even to maybe say hi to her in the hall. He just avoids her and brags about their hookup to his buddies and gets drunk a lot. Then he feels sorry for himself b/c he wasn't there for her, even though she would probably have let him if he tried anything. But no, he never even attempts to do one.single.thing. Oh, right, he DOES apparently write her an apology note, although we never see it. Really? A NOTE!!??
Gaaa! This book made me so mad, mostly because it was very realistic as to who is held responsible and who ends up taking the fall and bearing the burder when two people have sex. The girl gets labeled a slut b/c she's pregnant and it's like a badge on her stomach, and the guys who just used her so they could say they got laid just laugh about it in the locker room and smell each other's fingers. Disgusting and tragic, but not untrue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2010
This book was . . . disappointing. I'll admit, I sort of picked it up at the library on a whim, simply because I needed something to read, but I still thought it would be good. Or moving. Or . . . something. But, honestly, it wasn't.
Most of the characters fell flat, and felt depressingly undernourished and uncared for. There were way too many plot jumps: I mean, let's face it, if you're reading a book about a teenage pregnancy, you actually want to find out what the teenager goes through during the pregnancy. What you don't want to see is a month-long plot jump every two chapters, virtually no details on her troubles and what she has to go through during the nine long months, and no excitement whatsoever.
The least you could expect would be a book about a teenage pregnancy to actually deal with a teenage pregnancy. I'll be honest--I did whiz through this book in one night, but that definitely doesn't mean that it was good. It just means that it was a pathetically easy and unmoving read for a book that supposedly deals with such a heavy and difficult issue.
The writing, for the most part, fell pretty flat, too. Alternating chapter point-of-views are great . . . for a suspenseful, well-paced book. Or for Michael Grant. But, really, that's just about all. If I want to read this book, I want to find out about how Ellie is dealing with it, and maybe John. But really? Everyone else, it's just slightly annoying. The POV changes too fast for you to even build a sort of connection with what each character is dealing with or talking about. Plus, with such little character development, the quick switches are confusing in the beginning; it's hard to remember who's eyes you're seeing from.
I feel absolutely no connection to the characters, other than slight pity for Ellie and John because of their situation, and brief admiration for Liz, Caleb's mom. And, really, that's all. Maybe I'm being harsh, but I seriously wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. It wasn't bad, exactly . . . It just wasn't good. And if you're not a super fast reader, it's definitely not worth your time. If you're really bored, and you're really boring, and you like boring YA books . . . sure, go with this one. If you fall under that criteria, I'm sure you'll love it. On the plus side . . . the cover's kind of cute.
Most of the characters fell flat, and felt depressingly undernourished and uncared for. There were way too many plot jumps: I mean, let's face it, if you're reading a book about a teenage pregnancy, you actually want to find out what the teenager goes through during the pregnancy. What you don't want to see is a month-long plot jump every two chapters, virtually no details on her troubles and what she has to go through during the nine long months, and no excitement whatsoever.
The least you could expect would be a book about a teenage pregnancy to actually deal with a teenage pregnancy. I'll be honest--I did whiz through this book in one night, but that definitely doesn't mean that it was good. It just means that it was a pathetically easy and unmoving read for a book that supposedly deals with such a heavy and difficult issue.
The writing, for the most part, fell pretty flat, too. Alternating chapter point-of-views are great . . . for a suspenseful, well-paced book. Or for Michael Grant. But, really, that's just about all. If I want to read this book, I want to find out about how Ellie is dealing with it, and maybe John. But really? Everyone else, it's just slightly annoying. The POV changes too fast for you to even build a sort of connection with what each character is dealing with or talking about. Plus, with such little character development, the quick switches are confusing in the beginning; it's hard to remember who's eyes you're seeing from.
I feel absolutely no connection to the characters, other than slight pity for Ellie and John because of their situation, and brief admiration for Liz, Caleb's mom. And, really, that's all. Maybe I'm being harsh, but I seriously wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. It wasn't bad, exactly . . . It just wasn't good. And if you're not a super fast reader, it's definitely not worth your time. If you're really bored, and you're really boring, and you like boring YA books . . . sure, go with this one. If you fall under that criteria, I'm sure you'll love it. On the plus side . . . the cover's kind of cute.
August 10, 2023
alright, i'll cut this book some slack. it was published well over a decade ago. teen fiction has drastically changed since then. i love fast paced books but this just dropped major plot points every chapter. there was also an unnecessary number of POVs and really, a strange lack of emotion and reactions. but for 2009, i'll give it some credit!
ANYWAY what stuck out the most to me was this one disturbing line LOL. our girl ellie is feeling bad about herself for hooking up with people without really wanting to (that's ok, emotions are valid, we'll work through it ellie), and then proceeds to describe herself like this: "I was nothing. Just a smell on their [boys'] hands to share with their friends."
I'm--girl, what??? Sorry lollll that line threw me for a loop. I had to pause and ask my ex-football player boyfriend if this was a thing. He has years of exposure to locker room talk. Surely he would know? This is why I, a book nerd, would date the high school football guy: to fact check! But alas, he has not heard of boys sniffing the smell of their sexual conquests off each other's hands. I'm almost disappointed. It sounded so vile and weird that I almost wanted some truth to it. Maybe he just missed out or something. Maybe he refuses to acknowledge. Maybe he participated without knowing...? Who knows! I have many questions.
okok sorry djkadhf no more sarcasm i will stop nitpicking that hilariously fascinating line
if you're looking for a teen pregnancy book, i really enjoyed belly up by eva darrows!
ANYWAY what stuck out the most to me was this one disturbing line LOL. our girl ellie is feeling bad about herself for hooking up with people without really wanting to (that's ok, emotions are valid, we'll work through it ellie), and then proceeds to describe herself like this: "I was nothing. Just a smell on their [boys'] hands to share with their friends."
I'm--girl, what??? Sorry lollll that line threw me for a loop. I had to pause and ask my ex-football player boyfriend if this was a thing. He has years of exposure to locker room talk. Surely he would know? This is why I, a book nerd, would date the high school football guy: to fact check! But alas, he has not heard of boys sniffing the smell of their sexual conquests off each other's hands. I'm almost disappointed. It sounded so vile and weird that I almost wanted some truth to it. Maybe he just missed out or something. Maybe he refuses to acknowledge. Maybe he participated without knowing...? Who knows! I have many questions.
okok sorry djkadhf no more sarcasm i will stop nitpicking that hilariously fascinating line
if you're looking for a teen pregnancy book, i really enjoyed belly up by eva darrows!
May 22, 2017
This was a fast-paced and short book warns us against teen pregnancy and what abortion can do in a small town. I liked it for what it was, but I think there was a lot missing from the plot. Josh seemed like a bland character. He has sec with Ellie, finishes too fast and runs away? That bit when he goes back to his friends is pretty gross, and to me unnecessary. He was pretty inconsistent throughout the book and I think he could have done a better job at being supportive.
Corinne & Caleb were cute and the type of people that Ellie needed at the time but I do think that it was kind of weird that they got together or that Caleb just stopped having feelings for Ellie.
Corinne & Caleb were cute and the type of people that Ellie needed at the time but I do think that it was kind of weird that they got together or that Caleb just stopped having feelings for Ellie.
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May 21, 2024This story took me by surprise. I've had this book in my classroom library for almost 10 years, along with other books by Knowles, but it took finally hearing her speak in person (and then 8 more months) to finally read one of her books. This book is slim (220 pages) and the font is pretty large. If I'm being honest, it doesn't look like the stuff of great literature. I guess that's why they say don't judge a book by it's cover (or it's font size). I was surprised that in such a short time I felt deeply for all four characters--that's right, this book is told from four different perspectives. And this is where I wonder if Knowles was tackling a bit too much for such a short novel. I would have enjoyed more time in another one of the four teenager's heads. But also, it worked. And I was sobbing at the end. So there's that.
February 21, 2013
This is not an easy topic. I picked this up for a challenge not really knowing what I would get myself into.
but I'm glad I did.
I think Jo Knowles does a great job of not victimizing OR shaming anyone in this book. It's a great example of the ultimate...oops. It does point out the inequalities - but these are things we already know. Does Ellie wear her proof every day while he just walks around with no one knowing. Does Ellie get to make all the choices and he has very few, if any. Yeah. but it's the closer look into their lives that is what makes this a good book. Josh isn't the horrible guy he looks like he could be. And Ellie isn't the tramp the school kids make her out to be. And Corrine and Caleb, Liz and all the surrounding families - collateral damage.
As a reader, you want to judge and label and be upset with choices in the book, but the reality is that each person's truth for this kind of situation is their own. And this one just happens to be Ellie's...and three of her friends. And it's a very real story.
but I'm glad I did.
I think Jo Knowles does a great job of not victimizing OR shaming anyone in this book. It's a great example of the ultimate...oops. It does point out the inequalities - but these are things we already know. Does Ellie wear her proof every day while he just walks around with no one knowing. Does Ellie get to make all the choices and he has very few, if any. Yeah. but it's the closer look into their lives that is what makes this a good book. Josh isn't the horrible guy he looks like he could be. And Ellie isn't the tramp the school kids make her out to be. And Corrine and Caleb, Liz and all the surrounding families - collateral damage.
As a reader, you want to judge and label and be upset with choices in the book, but the reality is that each person's truth for this kind of situation is their own. And this one just happens to be Ellie's...and three of her friends. And it's a very real story.
September 10, 2009
I can't remember the last time a book made me sob this hard.
Jumping Off Swings is so beautifully written, so fiercely honest and so compelling. I read it in one intense session, because I Could Not Stop reading it. There are four different POV characters, some of whom hate or avoid each other now for really good, sympathetic reasons, and yet all four were equally compelling and real, and by the end, I cared desperately about all four of them. This is a book that never compromises the emotional truth of the very difficult situation, but it's not a grim read at all - it's just right.
I loved it, and I want to push it on everyone I know. It really is that good.
Jumping Off Swings is so beautifully written, so fiercely honest and so compelling. I read it in one intense session, because I Could Not Stop reading it. There are four different POV characters, some of whom hate or avoid each other now for really good, sympathetic reasons, and yet all four were equally compelling and real, and by the end, I cared desperately about all four of them. This is a book that never compromises the emotional truth of the very difficult situation, but it's not a grim read at all - it's just right.
I loved it, and I want to push it on everyone I know. It really is that good.
June 26, 2021
After reading Trouble by Non Pratt I guess I just assumed any book that deals with this topic would be awesome. This one wasn’t. It was quick, very depressing read.
This book jumped through time a lot and left out all the important scenes. The parents barley even talked- though that could just be because Ellie does nothing but cry the entire time.
This book could have handled so many things better, but everything felt like it was trying to be groundbreaking but just wasn’t. It was just a lot of sad people talking.
Still, I find teen pregnancy a fascinating topic and would love recommendations!
This book jumped through time a lot and left out all the important scenes. The parents barley even talked- though that could just be because Ellie does nothing but cry the entire time.
This book could have handled so many things better, but everything felt like it was trying to be groundbreaking but just wasn’t. It was just a lot of sad people talking.
Still, I find teen pregnancy a fascinating topic and would love recommendations!
February 12, 2010
One “truth” is that it’s impossible to know how many people an unplanned pregnancy can affect, and all the complicated emotions that news of the pregnancy will be met with, until you’ve been there.
If you’re a teenager or a young adult, you can imagine just how difficult it might be to break the news to your parents, and the shame you might feel at the thought of telling your grandparents, or the aunt or uncle you’ve always admired, or perhaps your teacher, professor, or boss. But the reactions you can’t anticipate are the ones that knock you off your feet, continually, at a time when you’re already feeling your lowest. Maybe it’s watching your little brother cry at the thought of your baby – his niece or nephew – growing up without a father in the home, if the relationship is one that may not continue. Maybe it’s the letter you receive from a relative you admire that is meant to be supportive, but one sentence cuts you to the quick – “We all make decisions that are not in our best interest” – and you can’t quite explain why the words make you cry. Maybe it’s the best friend who pulls away at a time when you need her most, because she doesn’t understand how you could have ended up in this situation to begin with, doesn’t understand or agree with the decisions you’ll make regarding the pregnancy, is scared she won’t know how to be the friend you need, or maybe, scared of the ‘What ifs?’ that the situation has prompted her to consider (‘What if it happened to me? What would I do? How close have I come to being in the same situation?’).
In “Jumping Off Swings,” author Jo Knowles creates a very real portrayal of how an unplanned pregnancy affects not only the teenage girl and boy involved, but also their best friends, their parents, and the parent of a friend, and the reactions the pregnancy and the decisions made afterward elicit from students at their high school, a counselor, and even the nurses in the delivery room (who look at the girl with sympathy). The story is told in alternating, first-person points of view: those of Ellie and Josh, teenagers who have known each other since grade school, whose one-night stand leads to a pregnancy, and those of Caleb and Corinne, their best friends.
What makes this story so powerful is the depth to which Knowles portrays the complex reactions to the pregnancy.
Ellie’s parents, who are heartbroken, can barely look at her.
Josh’s father chides his son for not being more careful, but is relieved when he hears from the father of another boy that Ellie will be taking care of things on her own.
Caleb, who has adored Ellie from afar since they were kids, is crushed that Ellie would give herself so easily to someone who doesn’t care about her enough to want a relationship. He’s angry with his best friend, Josh, for not taking responsibility--and later, angry with himself for not helping Josh understand his rights, particularly when Josh is suffering, too.
Josh is embarrassed about the way he treated Ellie after their one-night stand, and wrestles with knowing the only chance he might have to see his child is during a stolen glance inside the nursery.
Corinne, who is beginning to develop feelings for Caleb, is irritated that Caleb would continue his friendship with Josh when Josh hasn’t stood by Ellie – and feels powerless in her own efforts to protect and comfort Ellie.
“Jumping Off Swings” is the type of novel that parents should both give their teens to read and read themselves, so that discussions about the differences between words and love, and between love and sex – and the complicated tangle of feelings that can arise from both – can take place. It is the first YA novel I’ve read that explores just how far-reaching the effects of one pregnancy can be – and is a powerful reminder that the actions we take can have consequences we can’t predict.
If you’re a teenager or a young adult, you can imagine just how difficult it might be to break the news to your parents, and the shame you might feel at the thought of telling your grandparents, or the aunt or uncle you’ve always admired, or perhaps your teacher, professor, or boss. But the reactions you can’t anticipate are the ones that knock you off your feet, continually, at a time when you’re already feeling your lowest. Maybe it’s watching your little brother cry at the thought of your baby – his niece or nephew – growing up without a father in the home, if the relationship is one that may not continue. Maybe it’s the letter you receive from a relative you admire that is meant to be supportive, but one sentence cuts you to the quick – “We all make decisions that are not in our best interest” – and you can’t quite explain why the words make you cry. Maybe it’s the best friend who pulls away at a time when you need her most, because she doesn’t understand how you could have ended up in this situation to begin with, doesn’t understand or agree with the decisions you’ll make regarding the pregnancy, is scared she won’t know how to be the friend you need, or maybe, scared of the ‘What ifs?’ that the situation has prompted her to consider (‘What if it happened to me? What would I do? How close have I come to being in the same situation?’).
In “Jumping Off Swings,” author Jo Knowles creates a very real portrayal of how an unplanned pregnancy affects not only the teenage girl and boy involved, but also their best friends, their parents, and the parent of a friend, and the reactions the pregnancy and the decisions made afterward elicit from students at their high school, a counselor, and even the nurses in the delivery room (who look at the girl with sympathy). The story is told in alternating, first-person points of view: those of Ellie and Josh, teenagers who have known each other since grade school, whose one-night stand leads to a pregnancy, and those of Caleb and Corinne, their best friends.
What makes this story so powerful is the depth to which Knowles portrays the complex reactions to the pregnancy.
Ellie’s parents, who are heartbroken, can barely look at her.
Josh’s father chides his son for not being more careful, but is relieved when he hears from the father of another boy that Ellie will be taking care of things on her own.
Caleb, who has adored Ellie from afar since they were kids, is crushed that Ellie would give herself so easily to someone who doesn’t care about her enough to want a relationship. He’s angry with his best friend, Josh, for not taking responsibility--and later, angry with himself for not helping Josh understand his rights, particularly when Josh is suffering, too.
Josh is embarrassed about the way he treated Ellie after their one-night stand, and wrestles with knowing the only chance he might have to see his child is during a stolen glance inside the nursery.
Corinne, who is beginning to develop feelings for Caleb, is irritated that Caleb would continue his friendship with Josh when Josh hasn’t stood by Ellie – and feels powerless in her own efforts to protect and comfort Ellie.
“Jumping Off Swings” is the type of novel that parents should both give their teens to read and read themselves, so that discussions about the differences between words and love, and between love and sex – and the complicated tangle of feelings that can arise from both – can take place. It is the first YA novel I’ve read that explores just how far-reaching the effects of one pregnancy can be – and is a powerful reminder that the actions we take can have consequences we can’t predict.
July 23, 2009
Once I had the pleasure of hearing Jo Knowles present at the NESCBWI agent/author panel and she was simply lovely – intelligent, gentle, and giving. Then I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of her latest novel JUMPING OFF SWINGS and that forever imprinted her in my mind. Her talent is evident here – the prose straightforward, but powerful, while the dialogue is natural and emotionally charged. I stayed up until I finished it, because I couldn’t wait for morning to discover the ending.
This YA novel examines the tragedy of teen pregnancy from four points of view – Ellie, the girl who becomes pregnant; Josh, the teen father, and Corinne and Caleb, their two best friends. That choice of having four first-person narratives is perfect, as we see how the pregnancy impacts each one. The chapters alternate between them, each labeled. Knowles’ writing is so clear and her voices so distinct, however, that I found myself actually ignoring the titles as I rushed to see what would happen next…and I always knew whose voice I was hearing.
The imagery in JUMPING OFF SWINGS is well done, too. I especially loved the scenes in the playground, tender, laced with regret. Knowles makes each setting distinct and provides the reader with enough variety to keep it interesting, but not so much that it confuses. The structure of the novel is even, with a nice flow from beginning to end. The plot arc pulls us through each scene, tugging us toward the ending, as we yearn for answers to Ellie’s situation.
As an educator and writer, I always love a book for teens that has a vital message and strong themes. Often times, unfortunately, authors feel they need to beat the reader over the head with both to get them to understand. Jo Knowles knows better. She understands her readers. She doesn’t say, “Hey, kids, let’s all remember: don’t have a baby when you’re still a kid yourself!” Instead, she shows us the pain it causes, the chasms it creates, and the scars it leaves. She gently takes us by the hand and leads us along the darkened path, illuminating the characters’ souls, exposing their needs and wants to all. We are left to make our own decisions, but her writing is so poignant and lyrical – and true – that there is really only one path we can follow after the last word is read.
Sadly, I had a friend who experienced a similar situation to Ellie’s when she was young. Her gut-wrenching sobs came back to me as I read this novel. Knowles captures that angst perfectly. Her characters wrestle with the same torments, made all the worse when Ellie’s pregnancy becomes known. At one point, I actually clutched the book to me and cried, as if I was consoling my friend all those years ago.
The dialogue throughout is thoughtful and natural, and even though there are surprises with the plot, it is all so realistic. Teens will love this novel for the straightforward way it deals with a sensitive topic and the path Knowles takes in capturing the anguish. Although the subject matter is weighty, the reader is shown patches of light through use of humor and the strong theme of friendship.
This YA novel has both adult situations and language, but is not too graphic. Both male and female teens will appreciate the style and alternating points of view and JUMPING OFF SWINGS would make for great discussions with literature circles and book clubs. Adult readers, especially women, will find this novel of interest, as well. If you are searching for a novel that will touch your heart and leave you contemplating it long after you are finished, read JUMPING OFF SWINGS by Jo Knowles.
Available August 11, 2009 by Candlewick Press from both indie bookstores near you and major booksellers! To see the author’s website, go to: http://bit.ly/3TAwXl
This YA novel examines the tragedy of teen pregnancy from four points of view – Ellie, the girl who becomes pregnant; Josh, the teen father, and Corinne and Caleb, their two best friends. That choice of having four first-person narratives is perfect, as we see how the pregnancy impacts each one. The chapters alternate between them, each labeled. Knowles’ writing is so clear and her voices so distinct, however, that I found myself actually ignoring the titles as I rushed to see what would happen next…and I always knew whose voice I was hearing.
The imagery in JUMPING OFF SWINGS is well done, too. I especially loved the scenes in the playground, tender, laced with regret. Knowles makes each setting distinct and provides the reader with enough variety to keep it interesting, but not so much that it confuses. The structure of the novel is even, with a nice flow from beginning to end. The plot arc pulls us through each scene, tugging us toward the ending, as we yearn for answers to Ellie’s situation.
As an educator and writer, I always love a book for teens that has a vital message and strong themes. Often times, unfortunately, authors feel they need to beat the reader over the head with both to get them to understand. Jo Knowles knows better. She understands her readers. She doesn’t say, “Hey, kids, let’s all remember: don’t have a baby when you’re still a kid yourself!” Instead, she shows us the pain it causes, the chasms it creates, and the scars it leaves. She gently takes us by the hand and leads us along the darkened path, illuminating the characters’ souls, exposing their needs and wants to all. We are left to make our own decisions, but her writing is so poignant and lyrical – and true – that there is really only one path we can follow after the last word is read.
Sadly, I had a friend who experienced a similar situation to Ellie’s when she was young. Her gut-wrenching sobs came back to me as I read this novel. Knowles captures that angst perfectly. Her characters wrestle with the same torments, made all the worse when Ellie’s pregnancy becomes known. At one point, I actually clutched the book to me and cried, as if I was consoling my friend all those years ago.
The dialogue throughout is thoughtful and natural, and even though there are surprises with the plot, it is all so realistic. Teens will love this novel for the straightforward way it deals with a sensitive topic and the path Knowles takes in capturing the anguish. Although the subject matter is weighty, the reader is shown patches of light through use of humor and the strong theme of friendship.
This YA novel has both adult situations and language, but is not too graphic. Both male and female teens will appreciate the style and alternating points of view and JUMPING OFF SWINGS would make for great discussions with literature circles and book clubs. Adult readers, especially women, will find this novel of interest, as well. If you are searching for a novel that will touch your heart and leave you contemplating it long after you are finished, read JUMPING OFF SWINGS by Jo Knowles.
Available August 11, 2009 by Candlewick Press from both indie bookstores near you and major booksellers! To see the author’s website, go to: http://bit.ly/3TAwXl
May 25, 2015
YA books about teenage pregnancy are always kinda risky--on one hand the author wants to avoid glamorizing it, on the other hand the author can be completely out of touch with the sex lives of real teenagers. I picked this book up on a rainy afternoon at my local library because I was curious how a modern YA author tackled this subject. Needless to say, I was highly disappointed. I didn't like this book at all.
Knowles picks an interesting narrative device here. This book is told through four perspectives--Ellie, the teenage mom and the "town tramp," Josh, the reluctant virgin and the father of Ellie's baby, Caleb, a virgin and a friend of Josh's (who later falls for Ellie's friend), and Corinne, also a virgin, and a friend of Ellie's. The perspectives switch throughout the story, which I didn't like, because the only perspectives that should have been important enough to develop the plot here were of those directly involved, Ellie and Josh. Who wants to read a book about teenage pregnancy where only half is about the parents? There was no buildup here, and just when the momentum began, the POV changed again.
There was never a chance to get to know any of the characters in this book, they were mostly thin and underdeveloped. For the first half of the book Ellie doesn't say or do much other than cry while Corinne feels sorry for her and tries to help her. There is an indication that Ellie's home life isn't all roses, but beyond the standard, upper middle class dysfunctional stereotype (right down to the stoner older brother), there's not much that is said about Ellie. Josh's home life is a little bit more fleshed out, but not by much, as he stays isolated and wondering what the hell is happening with Ellie for most of the story. He doesn't even find out about the pregnancy until the middle of the book, long after all of the other three main characters did. There isn't one single scene of Josh and Ellie together after she gets pregnant at the beginning of the book, which I found to be completely bizarre. It's almost as if the author completely shut the door on these two characters ever speaking again after they procreate. Uh, ok...
I did come away with a full picture of Caleb, a child raised by a single mother. However, I never got a decent sense of Corinne beyond her interest in Ellie. Her home life seemed to be normal, but it's only vaguely mentioned in the book. At the end there was the indication Caleb and Corinne will embark on a relationship, fully aware of the "mistakes" of their friends and without the pressure of sex.
I put "mistakes" in quotes in the last paragraph because I completely loathed the message of this book. The message that Knowles is sending here seems to be that premarital sex is bad, unwholesome, and leads to not only a bad reputation (if you're female), but misery, isolation, and shame. This is simply ridiculous. It seems that there still cannot be a book where a teenaged female character has sex without some kind of horrific consequence---either getting pregnant, ostracized for being a "slut," or being forced to do something she completely disagrees with. In this book, all three happen to Ellie. Eventually she gives her baby up for adoption, but she clearly doesn't want to. And why did it have to end that way? Arghhh...
Although the cover of this book was cute, I don't recommend this book to anyone--teens or otherwise.
Knowles picks an interesting narrative device here. This book is told through four perspectives--Ellie, the teenage mom and the "town tramp," Josh, the reluctant virgin and the father of Ellie's baby, Caleb, a virgin and a friend of Josh's (who later falls for Ellie's friend), and Corinne, also a virgin, and a friend of Ellie's. The perspectives switch throughout the story, which I didn't like, because the only perspectives that should have been important enough to develop the plot here were of those directly involved, Ellie and Josh. Who wants to read a book about teenage pregnancy where only half is about the parents? There was no buildup here, and just when the momentum began, the POV changed again.
There was never a chance to get to know any of the characters in this book, they were mostly thin and underdeveloped. For the first half of the book Ellie doesn't say or do much other than cry while Corinne feels sorry for her and tries to help her. There is an indication that Ellie's home life isn't all roses, but beyond the standard, upper middle class dysfunctional stereotype (right down to the stoner older brother), there's not much that is said about Ellie. Josh's home life is a little bit more fleshed out, but not by much, as he stays isolated and wondering what the hell is happening with Ellie for most of the story. He doesn't even find out about the pregnancy until the middle of the book, long after all of the other three main characters did. There isn't one single scene of Josh and Ellie together after she gets pregnant at the beginning of the book, which I found to be completely bizarre. It's almost as if the author completely shut the door on these two characters ever speaking again after they procreate. Uh, ok...
I did come away with a full picture of Caleb, a child raised by a single mother. However, I never got a decent sense of Corinne beyond her interest in Ellie. Her home life seemed to be normal, but it's only vaguely mentioned in the book. At the end there was the indication Caleb and Corinne will embark on a relationship, fully aware of the "mistakes" of their friends and without the pressure of sex.
I put "mistakes" in quotes in the last paragraph because I completely loathed the message of this book. The message that Knowles is sending here seems to be that premarital sex is bad, unwholesome, and leads to not only a bad reputation (if you're female), but misery, isolation, and shame. This is simply ridiculous. It seems that there still cannot be a book where a teenaged female character has sex without some kind of horrific consequence---either getting pregnant, ostracized for being a "slut," or being forced to do something she completely disagrees with. In this book, all three happen to Ellie. Eventually she gives her baby up for adoption, but she clearly doesn't want to. And why did it have to end that way? Arghhh...
Although the cover of this book was cute, I don't recommend this book to anyone--teens or otherwise.
February 13, 2011
I have to say up front that this is not a happily ever after book, and I'm slowly starting to realize that most books in general--excluding romance, of course--are not all going to end up that way. When it comes to facing the reality in life, and making hard decisions like choosing whether or not you want to keep your baby when you're so young, you must go through the grueling process of looking at what's led to you there and facing the truth about people you depend on. Jumping Off Swings tells a story about how one girl's decision affects the lives of the people around her. So many voices are to be heard in this book, you will not be able to ignore any. Speaking of ignorance, I noticed that it was a major theme, as well as emptiness. Ellie feels like she has no one except her best friend, Corrine to help her through this process of gradual-heartbreak and undeniable situations. Slowly, she figures out that Corrine's not the only one looking at for her, even when her family's not.
When the other characters are introduced into Ellie's story, they all have a role to play throughout her pregnancy. Once the cat comes out of the bag, no one's more shocked and affected than the father. It was healthy, I guess you could say, to read a guy's point of view when it comes to finding out that his "one-night-stand" where he lost his virginity ended up impregnating the girl with the sad, expectant eyes. Admittedly, I just wanted to punch the group of guys that all have a "set" opinion about Ellie because they've been with her. But then, I wanted to yell at Ellie for being so naive. And then...well, I blamed the parents. I don't know if it's because I'm a teenager myself but if the parents aren't there for you throughout your life and don't guide you in any way, odds are there is going to be one mistake in your life that's going to indirectly be their fault. Ever since I was little, in my head I've always built up this argument in my head that "kids take things literally when they're young, and parents have no clue." They either don't care, or can't see how their way of life is affecting their child every single day as the child is growing up. As Ellie's parents weren't there for her, but a friend's mother was.
Before I go into full-on rant mode, I want to say that Knowles did a fantastic job in gripping your attention with Jumping Off Swings. It showed that people are not perfect, and that they all have different ways of coping. This short, multi-p.o.v book was amazing empathetic, and broken up into every few months to get the true aspect of the progressing due date. There were just minor things I would have argued with that are most likely due to my biased opinions, but nothing major can turn you away from this book.
Grade: B
When the other characters are introduced into Ellie's story, they all have a role to play throughout her pregnancy. Once the cat comes out of the bag, no one's more shocked and affected than the father. It was healthy, I guess you could say, to read a guy's point of view when it comes to finding out that his "one-night-stand" where he lost his virginity ended up impregnating the girl with the sad, expectant eyes. Admittedly, I just wanted to punch the group of guys that all have a "set" opinion about Ellie because they've been with her. But then, I wanted to yell at Ellie for being so naive. And then...well, I blamed the parents. I don't know if it's because I'm a teenager myself but if the parents aren't there for you throughout your life and don't guide you in any way, odds are there is going to be one mistake in your life that's going to indirectly be their fault. Ever since I was little, in my head I've always built up this argument in my head that "kids take things literally when they're young, and parents have no clue." They either don't care, or can't see how their way of life is affecting their child every single day as the child is growing up. As Ellie's parents weren't there for her, but a friend's mother was.
Before I go into full-on rant mode, I want to say that Knowles did a fantastic job in gripping your attention with Jumping Off Swings. It showed that people are not perfect, and that they all have different ways of coping. This short, multi-p.o.v book was amazing empathetic, and broken up into every few months to get the true aspect of the progressing due date. There were just minor things I would have argued with that are most likely due to my biased opinions, but nothing major can turn you away from this book.
Grade: B
April 1, 2012
This book is about how a girl named Ellie has sex a lot. She had sex with Josh a boy from her school and she got pregnant. She was at a party and he wanted to lose his virginity so she did it with him. Her friend Corinne helps her through it and so does Caleb and his mom. She doesn't want anyone but Corinne to know. When she starts hanging out with Caleb his mom notices and says something through a note. Ellie reads it in class and starts to ball her eyes out. She goes to talk to Caleb's mom to see what she should do. Eventually she tells her parents. After a while Things start to go around and Josh finally figures it out but at the end of the book. She ended up giving the baby up for adoption and Josh never got to see the baby even though he really wanted to because he didn't show up in time."I knew my chances of seeing the baby were pretty slim"(205). The main characters are Ellie the one who is pregnant, Corinne Ellie's best friend, Josh the father, Caleb Corine's boyfriend and Ellie's friend, also Caleb's mom towards the end.
I think the author did a great job writing this book. I loved it, I liked how it was written and what the subject was. She wrote it in 4 different peoples perspective. I liked the subject because it makes you realize how hard it is to be a teen mom even if you don't keep the baby. It kind of did move me a little, it was quite sad what she had to go through and what the dad had to go through too. I did learn that even if you don't keep the baby it's really hard. I think my friends would like this book. I recommend it to people my age and probably only girls would want to read it. I don't think a boy could really get into reading this book.
I would rate this book a 5 out of 5. I loved this book. I would read it more then once it was so good. The subject of this book and how she wrote it made me remember everything she said. Some books I will just forget what I have read but in this one I remembered everything. Most of the IRP books I have read I don't read at home but this one was getting so good I read it at home. I read like 50 pages when I go home one night and finished the book because I just couldn't put it down. If I keep reading for ever that mean I really like the book. I don't like reading much but there are some books that make me read it without stopping and this was one of those books.
I think the author did a great job writing this book. I loved it, I liked how it was written and what the subject was. She wrote it in 4 different peoples perspective. I liked the subject because it makes you realize how hard it is to be a teen mom even if you don't keep the baby. It kind of did move me a little, it was quite sad what she had to go through and what the dad had to go through too. I did learn that even if you don't keep the baby it's really hard. I think my friends would like this book. I recommend it to people my age and probably only girls would want to read it. I don't think a boy could really get into reading this book.
I would rate this book a 5 out of 5. I loved this book. I would read it more then once it was so good. The subject of this book and how she wrote it made me remember everything she said. Some books I will just forget what I have read but in this one I remembered everything. Most of the IRP books I have read I don't read at home but this one was getting so good I read it at home. I read like 50 pages when I go home one night and finished the book because I just couldn't put it down. If I keep reading for ever that mean I really like the book. I don't like reading much but there are some books that make me read it without stopping and this was one of those books.
July 19, 2009
Full disclosure...I know and like author Jo Knowles, and I had already heard praise from some early readers of JUMPING OFF SWINGS, so I was ready to like this book. Even so, I was blown away by the characters and the spare, poignant prose.
JUMPING OFF SWINGS is a book about love and sex and friendship, about loss of innocence and how we all survive it. It's one of the most beautiful, most honest YA novels I've ever read and reminded me of Judy Blume's FOREVER in the way it approached the realities of teenagers' decisions about sex without ever being heavy-handed.
Read it. Your heart will ache for friends Ellie, Josh, Caleb, and Corinne as they deal with Ellie's pregnancy after what was supposed to be a "one-time thing" at a party. The characters are so beautifully whole and real that I found myself thinking about them - worrying about them and wishing futures for them - long after I'd turned the final page.
The chapters - alternating between the four main characters' points of view - are short, making this a perfect choice for reluctant teen readers, but really, it should be a must-read for every teen, boys and girls alike.
JUMPING OFF SWINGS is a book about love and sex and friendship, about loss of innocence and how we all survive it. It's one of the most beautiful, most honest YA novels I've ever read and reminded me of Judy Blume's FOREVER in the way it approached the realities of teenagers' decisions about sex without ever being heavy-handed.
Read it. Your heart will ache for friends Ellie, Josh, Caleb, and Corinne as they deal with Ellie's pregnancy after what was supposed to be a "one-time thing" at a party. The characters are so beautifully whole and real that I found myself thinking about them - worrying about them and wishing futures for them - long after I'd turned the final page.
The chapters - alternating between the four main characters' points of view - are short, making this a perfect choice for reluctant teen readers, but really, it should be a must-read for every teen, boys and girls alike.
June 18, 2017
I love the author's concept with this book. She tackles a subject that seems, surprisingly, rarely touched on in YA literature. I've read quite a lot in the genre, and this is the first book I've read that has addressed teen pregnancy. The author explores this subject matter through the eyes of four adolescents affected but the pregnancy; the pregnant young woman; her best friend; the baby's father; and the father's best friend.
This had the makings of an intriguing and interesting book. Unfortunately it fell flat for me, and there was a clear reason for that: the length. The copy I read had 240 odd pages, however that was with spacing between lines and large type. I read the book in under an hour, and I think that demonstrates the shortness of length as well as the simplistic vocab used. It becomes a big ask for an author to adequately explore four separate viewpoints related to teen pregnancy in so few pages, and I believe the characterisation suffered as a result. The exploration of characters and themes were both superficial and lacked any true portrayal of the issues.
To sum up; an important subject matter, but the book was poorly executed.
This had the makings of an intriguing and interesting book. Unfortunately it fell flat for me, and there was a clear reason for that: the length. The copy I read had 240 odd pages, however that was with spacing between lines and large type. I read the book in under an hour, and I think that demonstrates the shortness of length as well as the simplistic vocab used. It becomes a big ask for an author to adequately explore four separate viewpoints related to teen pregnancy in so few pages, and I believe the characterisation suffered as a result. The exploration of characters and themes were both superficial and lacked any true portrayal of the issues.
To sum up; an important subject matter, but the book was poorly executed.
December 7, 2012
Ellie always thinks it will be different, but every time she hooks up with a guy, he's just using her for sex. Caleb has always liked Ellie, and can't believe his friend Josh hooked up with her. Now Ellie is pregnant, and that will affect them all...
I thought this book did a nice job of showing how a pregnancy can affect everyone around a person, not just the person having the baby. It was good to see guys reacting to a pregnancy and not just disowning any responsibility, and it was also good to see a variety of parental styles and reactions. Not surprisingly, Ellie's parents' reaction showed exactly why Ellie was looking for love in this way to begin with, and I liked the contrast of Josh's parents' reactions and his own view. The bullying at school wasn't explored as in-depth as the lives of the four main characters, but then again, I think there's a lot of "looking the other way" in this kind of situation that is illustrated very well here.
Parental advisory: some swearing, and obviously sex and its consequences are fully explored.
I thought this book did a nice job of showing how a pregnancy can affect everyone around a person, not just the person having the baby. It was good to see guys reacting to a pregnancy and not just disowning any responsibility, and it was also good to see a variety of parental styles and reactions. Not surprisingly, Ellie's parents' reaction showed exactly why Ellie was looking for love in this way to begin with, and I liked the contrast of Josh's parents' reactions and his own view. The bullying at school wasn't explored as in-depth as the lives of the four main characters, but then again, I think there's a lot of "looking the other way" in this kind of situation that is illustrated very well here.
Parental advisory: some swearing, and obviously sex and its consequences are fully explored.
April 2, 2023
This could have been a good book on teen pregnancy. But it didn't offer anything new. The characters were flat, there were too many points of view and lots of time jumps that just skipped over huge parts of the plot. It would have been nice to see Ellie during her pregnancy and how she was dealing with everything, but her way of dealing with it was to not deal with it. And it sucked that her mom barely spoke to her throughout the entire book.
I was underwhelmed with this one and see no reason to read the next one.
I was underwhelmed with this one and see no reason to read the next one.
June 30, 2018
Unpopular opinion: this book was amazing.
I probably think that because in school... I was Ellie. I literally had a guy chase me around, innocent at first, I remember laughing as he caught me against the lockers and I also remember the horror and embarrassment as he shoved his hands between my legs and rubbed my crotch. He then went around asking other guys did they want to smell me. I was labeled a slut by the age of 11, when I was still a virgin. I don't know... I lived it.
Ellie breaks my heart because this is so real... it is a silent torture to endure and at least she has two amazing friends to help her but dear god if I had had a Liz in my life... smh. Maybe it would have been more bearable. I don't know.
Anyway, I read this in an hour or so. I loved it. Heartbreaking. Real. Honest. Brutal.
I probably think that because in school... I was Ellie. I literally had a guy chase me around, innocent at first, I remember laughing as he caught me against the lockers and I also remember the horror and embarrassment as he shoved his hands between my legs and rubbed my crotch. He then went around asking other guys did they want to smell me. I was labeled a slut by the age of 11, when I was still a virgin. I don't know... I lived it.
Ellie breaks my heart because this is so real... it is a silent torture to endure and at least she has two amazing friends to help her but dear god if I had had a Liz in my life... smh. Maybe it would have been more bearable. I don't know.
Anyway, I read this in an hour or so. I loved it. Heartbreaking. Real. Honest. Brutal.
September 5, 2009
Pretty good read. Not quite as good as "Lessons from a Dead Girl", but amazing nonetheless. I don't know how Jo Knowles does it, but she can tug at your heartstrings like no other author can. This story had me on the verge of tears several times and this, unlike "Lessons from a Dead Girl" had a somewhat happy ending. Although I felt like the last chapter was a bit unnecessary, it made you feel like the story was complete. I look forward to reading her next book!
January 10, 2016
Honestly, I think the ending was unfufilling but this book was absolutely amazing. Thoughts to come.
May 19, 2018
What happens when a teenage girl gets pregnant? In the preface, the author, Jo Knowles, reveals that Ellie has been with multiple guys and the only outcome of it is heartbreak. After hooking up with Josh, everything changes. She gets pregnant. It doesn’t just affect Ellie and Josh, but their closest friends as well. After reading this it makes me think two ways. Either Ellie and Josh will get together and will take care of the baby or Josh won’t want anything to do with the baby and she’ll have the option of keeping the child for herself, put it up for adoption, or abort it.
Jo Knowles lives with her family in Vermont. She has been awarded the Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers, for both Lessons From A Dead Girl and Living With Jackie Chan. She has received many other awards for her books. This book is a romantic fiction.There are mature topics in this book such as abortion and sexual activity. Jo Knowles purpose of writing Jumping off Swings was to entertain. It seems as if the title doesn’t fit. As you read you find that the main character, Ellie, and her best friend, Corinne, go to the same park year after year and have claimed the swings “theirs”. Those swings are their place to hang out.
Jumping Off Swings is pretty unique in the way it is set up. It reminds me of Wonder by RJ Palacio. Each “chapter” is told by one of the main character’s perspective. The story continues, but the point of view changes. After reading the book jacket I automatically wanted to find out what she decided to do with the baby after she finds out she's pregnant. The only picture is the front cover. It is a girl sitting on a swing with an empty one next to her. The color choices are very soothing to look at. It has a depressing mood to it.
The main characters are Ellie, Caleb, Corinne, and Josh. Caleb and Josh are best friends and Corinne and Ellie are best friends. Caleb has liked Ellie for many years. If something happens to one character, it affects the other characters as well. For example, when Ellie hooked up with Josh it made Caleb heavy hearted because he liked her. Also, when Ellie found out she was pregnant, Corinne was compelled help Ellie out. Caleb was shocked by the whole situation and felt sympathetic for her. Once Josh found out Ellie was pregnant, it changed everything. I feel sympathetic for all the characters with them all having their individual struggles with their families.
One of the themes portrayed in “Jumping Off Swings” is sacrifice. Ellie sacrificed everything to take care of her baby. Corinne and Caleb sacrificed everything for Ellie while she was pregnant.
Knowles seems like a very serious author and seems curious about other people's lives. Knowles tends to write her books for an older audience with mature topics in her books. The purpose of writing Jumping Off Swings is to inform and advise the author's audience about effects of a high school pregnancy. Reading this book definitely made me more aware of how much effect we have on our friends, family and even the kids we go to school. Whether we have mental illnesses, physical disabilities, or a teen pregnancy. Jo Knowles acquired the idea to write this book because she observed a young girl that was pregnant. Knowles purpose for writing this book was clearly portrayed.
I like how Knowles used a somewhat personal experience to write her book. She uses different perspectives which is also pretty cool. In the book it says, “I stretch my fingers across my belly and glide my hand back and forth, waving softly. Sometimes I think I feel a hand reaching out for mine. Or it could be a foot, kicking my hand away. I wish I could tell the difference.” Throughout the book, you realize through the context that Ellie is lonely. She doesn’t have people who love and care for her. I unquestionably connected to this book emotionally. I can relate to a plethora of the characters. I would rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. It was such a splendid book. I would definitely reread this book. I can’t wait to read more of her intriguing books. The publisher for Jumping Off Swings is Candlewick Press, [2009].
Jo Knowles lives with her family in Vermont. She has been awarded the Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers, for both Lessons From A Dead Girl and Living With Jackie Chan. She has received many other awards for her books. This book is a romantic fiction.There are mature topics in this book such as abortion and sexual activity. Jo Knowles purpose of writing Jumping off Swings was to entertain. It seems as if the title doesn’t fit. As you read you find that the main character, Ellie, and her best friend, Corinne, go to the same park year after year and have claimed the swings “theirs”. Those swings are their place to hang out.
Jumping Off Swings is pretty unique in the way it is set up. It reminds me of Wonder by RJ Palacio. Each “chapter” is told by one of the main character’s perspective. The story continues, but the point of view changes. After reading the book jacket I automatically wanted to find out what she decided to do with the baby after she finds out she's pregnant. The only picture is the front cover. It is a girl sitting on a swing with an empty one next to her. The color choices are very soothing to look at. It has a depressing mood to it.
The main characters are Ellie, Caleb, Corinne, and Josh. Caleb and Josh are best friends and Corinne and Ellie are best friends. Caleb has liked Ellie for many years. If something happens to one character, it affects the other characters as well. For example, when Ellie hooked up with Josh it made Caleb heavy hearted because he liked her. Also, when Ellie found out she was pregnant, Corinne was compelled help Ellie out. Caleb was shocked by the whole situation and felt sympathetic for her. Once Josh found out Ellie was pregnant, it changed everything. I feel sympathetic for all the characters with them all having their individual struggles with their families.
One of the themes portrayed in “Jumping Off Swings” is sacrifice. Ellie sacrificed everything to take care of her baby. Corinne and Caleb sacrificed everything for Ellie while she was pregnant.
Knowles seems like a very serious author and seems curious about other people's lives. Knowles tends to write her books for an older audience with mature topics in her books. The purpose of writing Jumping Off Swings is to inform and advise the author's audience about effects of a high school pregnancy. Reading this book definitely made me more aware of how much effect we have on our friends, family and even the kids we go to school. Whether we have mental illnesses, physical disabilities, or a teen pregnancy. Jo Knowles acquired the idea to write this book because she observed a young girl that was pregnant. Knowles purpose for writing this book was clearly portrayed.
I like how Knowles used a somewhat personal experience to write her book. She uses different perspectives which is also pretty cool. In the book it says, “I stretch my fingers across my belly and glide my hand back and forth, waving softly. Sometimes I think I feel a hand reaching out for mine. Or it could be a foot, kicking my hand away. I wish I could tell the difference.” Throughout the book, you realize through the context that Ellie is lonely. She doesn’t have people who love and care for her. I unquestionably connected to this book emotionally. I can relate to a plethora of the characters. I would rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. It was such a splendid book. I would definitely reread this book. I can’t wait to read more of her intriguing books. The publisher for Jumping Off Swings is Candlewick Press, [2009].
May 17, 2018
This book was okay. I did not really appreciate how all over the place it was and the way it was written but the storyline itself was okay. The book pretty much told me that Ellie, the main character, was going to get pregnant but if I had not known I would not have been surprised. This young lady is obviously confused and should not be going out and having sex if she can not identify the difference between love and a one time thing. It got annoying and irritating when she would cry after every time because she basically did it to herself. Her friends are all good supporters, even Josh, the baby's father. Something that made the book kind of cheesy was the way the characters talked to each other and about each other. All groping on each other and lovey dovey stuff. It was just uncomfortable trying to read some of their "touching" moments. Ellie seems younger than the book makes her out to seem because of her maturity level which made it difficult to take half of the book seriously. I would recommend this book to someone of a freshman in highschool reading level because I think at around that time the whole sex thing is extremely new and they'd be able to read better. I guess it is just the way the author goes about them having sex that makes it seem kitty and ridiculous. I do appreciate that they didn't get rid of the baby and faced the consequences of their actions. I rate this book two stars out of five because it was annoying and a drag.
October 29, 2021
I don't know where to start. This book was good and not good at the same time. It's about the very sad realities in this world: Teenage pregnancies. In this book, Ellie, a high school girl, gets pregnant and her and three other main characters, Josh, Corinne, and Caleb, are all deeply affected. This was a depressing book, but I'm glad that I read it either way. It goes through all of the realities of what getting pregnant at a young age can do to someone and the people around them. Also, how peer pressure can change someone's whole life all over one decision. I don't think that this specific story is true, but I know that it is similar to many things that other teenagers go through. This story has a good lesson, but it just wasn't a fun/exciting read. The ending was sad, but I still feel like it was the only ending that was right for a book like this. 2/5 stars (rounding up)
May 23, 2017
I really didn't like it that much because it was boring and everything was going slow until she got pregnant and she was getting bullied for that and her hiding it from her mom. I like the part in the book where her best friend was taking up for her when they wrote Slut on her locker because she was known for sleeping around and she ended up pregnant and the boy she got pregnant by caught feelings for her but didn't want to say anything. I didn't like when she thought about aborting the baby either
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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