Leap of Faith

by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Abigail is starting a new middle school, a Catholic school, because she's been expelled from her old one. She's sure that this place will be just the same as the last, and no one will listen to her here either. Even her parents don't seem able to really hear the truth about what happened at the previous school. But now she finds herself in a community of people who do listen, who want to be her friends, and who help her discover a talent for theater that she never knew she had. Converting to Catholicism began merely as a way to annoy her parents, but quickly it becomes more. Could she be developing real faith? Kimberly Brubaker Bradley masterfully tells the tale of Abigail's spiritual journey and the faith that comes to those who need it.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Religion, Contemporary, Catholic

192 pages, Hardcover

First published July 5, 2007

About the author

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's next book, The Night War, will be published April 9, 2024. She is the author of nineteen previous books, including the Newbery Honor winners Fighting Words and The War that Saved My Life. The sequel to the latter, The War I Finally Won, appeared on many state-award and best-books lists and was described as “stunning” by The Washington Post and “honest” and “daring” by The New York Times. She is also the acclaimed author of She Persisted: Rosalind Franklin. Kimberly and her husband have two grown children and live with their dogs, two highly opinionated mares, and a surplus of cats on a fifty-two-acre farm in Bristol, Tennessee. Visit her at kimberlybrubakerbradley.com.

Reviews

[Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

A positive book about Catholics? A positive not preachy book about Catholics? I'm so there.

This was actually more middle grade than YA, but it dealt with good issues and was presented well. And it wasn't condescending.

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a rather interesting read. However, Kimberly Brubaker wrote it in a way that assumes Christians and Catholics are the same thing. Which of course they aren't at ALL... But I won't even get into that.

***Excuse me while I get into that*** A few people have posted some very rude comments about that opening statement, so I will expand a little what I meant. To see my explanation, FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD! Just kidding, look for the five asterisks at the end. ;)

On with the review:
Anyway, if you are a protestant of any kind, DO NOT read this book. (Protestant meaning Presbyterian, Baptist, etc.) It will make you want to tear each page into tiny little shreds, chew those pieces up, burn them…and then when you realize you can't do that to a library book, it will just make you log into Goodreads.com to write a flaming review.

Abby is a problem child who resorted to violence because she was being bullied - and was expelled from her school for it. No other schools will accept her, so she is forced to attend a catholic school. As a result, she learns the supposed way to salvation. There is no true conversion story here. She goes into a room to confess her sins TO FATHER SOMETHING-THAT-BEGINS-WITH-K, a mere man, instead of repenting to Jesus Christ. In the weeks that follow, Abby feels a sense of "peace" during mass when the pope or whatever sings a Latin song. No change of heart, no remorse whatsoever for stabbing a boy. This book really made me depressed about how many people have this false hope, how many of them worship Mary, how many of them believe rosaries will do them good, how many of them want to earn salvation with good works...

[ALERT!!! HERE COME THE FIVE STARS YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!!!]

* * * * *

I am a Christian, and I believe Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to heaven - and that only HIS grace can save. Catholics would say they believe basically the same thing, but Roman Catholicism has slipped greatly away from the gospel, to the point that their entire doctrine no longer supports Eph. 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." The main problem is this: Catholics believe that after confessing your sins, you must then perform good works in order to complete your salvation. But Jesus Christ said, "My grace is sufficient for you." Also, the Catholic church has added books to the Bible, books that came from the minds of men and not the result of divine revelation. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that Mary is our guardian angel, that we need to have a relationship with her, or that we must pray to her. Nowhere does it say that walking down the aisle and taking communion will save you. People who truly hold to this theology can't be saved, simply because they are trusting in a whole lot besides Christ.

HOWEVER, I know that some people in Catholic churches are saved, but don't understand Catholicism well enough to see that they actually don't agree with it.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt myself wanting to give the protagonist of this story a great, big hug. Basically, she's bullied throughout 5th grade and finally at the beginning of 6th grade she's had enough and goes after her bullier with a knife. As a result she's expelled from school and sent to a private Catholic school. Abigail starts the new school with the idea that life would be much easier if she was invisible. Soon, she coming out of her shell in drama class. She's also becoming fascinated with Catholicism. As a pastor's kid, I found this novel intreging.


From Booklist
Abigail has been kicked out of sixth grade for attacking the principal's son with a knife. That leaves her with only a few schooling options, and her parents pick Catholic school. Angry that no one seems interested in how bullying pushed her to the assault, Abigail thinks she'll teach her workaholic, nonreligious parents a lesson by feigning interest in Catholicism. Predictably, Abigail starts to find her religious studies intriguing, yet even she is not sure what she really believes or how much of a commitment she's ready to make to faith. This works well as a depiction of a child's one-step forward, one-step back approach to religion. But where Abigail comes across as a real kid, opening herself to new and somewhat scary ideas, her parents are strictly one-dimensional, stereotypical to the point of unbelievability in their pursuit of job status. Other supporting characters, including the school priest and Abigail's potential godmother, are more rounded, though also out of central casting. Despite the book's pat ending, this is meaty for a middle-grade novel and may lead readers to think about what they believe. Cooper, Ilene

[Nikki Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I love the author. The War that Saved My Life was so good. This one wasn't quite as fast paced, but it was a sweet book about a sixth grade girl who was expelled from public school and sent to a small Catholic school. It's a YA/elementary book--a super quick read and yes, I recommend it.

[Zina Benjelloun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leap of Faith, written by Kimberly Brusker Bradley, is about a young girl went to a place where she is relieved far from the overwhelmed city where she grew up. Abby is expelled from a public school so she is forced to attend parochial school. She had stabbed her classmate, “Since last week- since what my parents liked to call “the accident”, as though what had happened had not been my deliberate action- anger kept shooting out of me at unexpected times” (Bradley 5). The book’s point is that some things are easier than expected relating to drama, friendship, and that some things might take the person by surprise like faith.


After the accident, Abby’s parents decide to move her to St. Catherine’s Catholic School. Abby is extremely angry at her parents for not trusting her. So, Abby decides to be dramatic with her parents and says: “I just realized- I have acting talent” (Bradley 47). Finally, she is moved to another school and as a consequence, mad at her parents.

A sixth-grader, Abby, finds friendship and faith when moving to another school. For this reason, Chris is the main focus in her life and as well as the only person who has made her feel safe. “He looked happier than I’d ever seen him; he bounced when he walked, but not with the nervous energy he gave off at school” (Bradley 69). To finish, Leah feels safe when being with Chris.

Abby’s baptism approaches yet something is still wrong. She lacks faith and doesn’t know how to forgive. Her switch from a non-believer to a believer is a “leap of faith”. “And if I had any doubts about my plan to become Catholic- any little worries over the fact that I didn’t believe in God- well that pretty much faded away” (Bradley 94). To conclude, Abby turned into what was wrong into something good when her baptism approached.

[Roxanne Hsu Feldman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The underlying idea is quite interesting and I think the author has quite a bit of integrity in keeping true to the emotional picture of Abby. However, although the feelings are entirely convincing and the events are also entirely convincing, some of Abby's highly sophisticated voice/choices of words does not quite ring true for a girl in the first half of her 6th grade year.

[Rachel Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love this author but this was not one of my favorites. The positives--the main character learned to use her voice and stand up for herself. This is a message I think all young girls need to learn. She had hard questions about faith and had adults in her life willing to answer them. The negatives--the walk towards Catholic faith is different than a Protestant walk. There was a big conflict at her first school that was never resolved. I couldn't help comparing this to Fighting Words by the same author and that one had a more developed story and characters. 3 stars.

[Word Revel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books about religious exploration somehow fascinate me, so much so that I went ahead to request Leap of Faith from the public library's repository. Older books that are out of print or for which there are only a copy left are usually pulled from the shelves and kept at the repository. Library users who wish to borrow these books need to pay a small fee to reserve them, so that they can pick them up from their nearest library. I must say, I'm glad I specifically requested this book.

Leap of Faith was entertaining, to say the least. Those who grew up in a church will take so many things for granted. Those who didn't though, will be extremely lost in a church. Abigail, who grew up in a family that didn't care much for religion, had no idea what the church stands for or who God is. Forced to attend a Catholic school in sixth grade, Abigail is also forced to take part in religious class and to attend school Mass every week. Needless to say, the first time she attends Mass, she has no idea what the expected conduct is, and asks countless questions, much to the chagrin of her teacher.

The characters have depth and continually grow throughout the book. Abigail clearly gains greater maturity, as does Chris, who becomes a very good friend to her. Aside from religion, drama also becomes an integral part in Abigail's life. While she has no real interest in it at the beginning, she eventually becomes very passionate about it, which shines right through the pages. Abigail is someone who even at the age of 13 has a strong outlook on life and is very self-assured. Once in a while that translates into stubbornness but who isn't stubborn as child, especially towards their parents?

Ultimately, Leap of Faith is a book that explores faith, beliefs and pursuing one's passion. It's the kind of book I wish I had discovered when it when it was first published and I was still 16. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it tremendously even today and would recommend it especially to younger readers.

This review is also available at dudettereads.com.

[Paige Y. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Simply loved it. It's the story of Abigail, a girl who has all of sudden been kicked out of school for stabbing a boy. In desperation her parents send her to a Catholic school, even though they are firm non-believers. Abigail is full of anger at everyone, but most especially her parents who are completely disconnected from her and the bullying she has been suffering at school. They listen to nothing she says. When she wants to take art as her elective, they say no, and so she ends up in drama.

Everyone in the school, even non-Catholics, must attend Mass on Wednesdays. Abigail is at first confused at what's going on, but she likes the feeling of peace she gets at Mass. She doesn't believe in God, but she feels a pull to become Catholic. Part of this is because she's so mad at her parents and she knows they won't like it, but there is also something more.

Abigail also realizes how much she loves drama class. She performs in the Christmas play (which her parents are too busy to attend) and gets the lead role in the spring play. But as she learns her part, and as she goes to classes to become a Catholic, she realizes that a leap of faith is not just a saying, and somewhere wrapped in everything is her need to learn to forgive.

[Melinda Campos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This girl name Abigail has issues with her anger. So she goes to st Catherine´s school. She makes new friends and tries to become Catholic. Abigail makes her parents mad by going to drama class for an elective. Her parents change in towards the end of the book. Jenna helps Abigail through the school.
I loved this book. I loved it because it shows how one girl can change from the beginning to the end with a little problems. Also because i can see their different religious then some people. It also show that it can be realistic but its fiction.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read about Abby, a middle schooler who gets expelled from her public school for taking drastic measures against a bully. She ends up at St. Catherine's catholic school, where she discovers God, drama, and friendship. A light read, with a few powerful moments. Left me wanting a bit more at times, but overall well done.

[Kevin Keating · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very good teen book. It would be nice to see something like this with a good message that is not tied to any cause. A troubled teen finding her way without resorting to wokeness. Although I guess she did stab someone. But he had it coming. Minor wound but she made her point. Very readable and nothing objectionable. I guess that's why the library discarded it this well-used 2007 book.

[Alyson Ponda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good! I love her story. I recommend this book to anybody that questions their faith in God. It's a good story to learn from.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I relate strongly to the way that Brubaker Bradley writes her young heroines. I remember thinking quite similarly when I was Abby’s age in respect to interpreting actions of adults and making leaps of logic that only an immature and sensitive young mind could make.
I also related to the Catholic school experience Abby had, except I didn’t question the ways things were done as much as Abby did since she was new to the religion.
I liked how the plot was written in a way that made room for fact and made room for individual spiritual interpretation. To me, every religion should be about fostering community to aid you on your own unique and equally valid journey to find your own connection and meaning to spirit and whoever/whatever you may consider God. This book made a point many times to communicate that knowing “the rules” is less important in a spiritual community.

I would have rated it higher if we got a scene where Abby could finally communicate how her parents failed her when it came to the bullying she experienced. A major point of the plot was her learning forgiveness, even if the other party isn’t sorry, but a conversation where she truly and fully communicated her hurt to them was never shown. It seemed to me that she offered forgiveness without giving her parents a full chance to participate further in the healing. Especially when part of Abby’s character growth was her goal of being more confident in communicating who she is and what she needs.

[Alanna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was delightful!

People who follow me on goodreads know that one of my pet peeves is that in any novel, if someone is a proclaimed Christian, they will always be THE WORST. It's such a predictable and boring trope at this point, and it makes me crazy. So it was fun to read a book where the Christians (Catholics, at that!) are not: mean, fake, only interested in the main character if they can use her for their own purposes... They were normal people, trying to be nice, trying to helpful. Excited for Abby to join their forces, but not pushy or preachy about it.

I liked seeing Abby's journey. I liked seeing her finally demand something from her parents and her parents gradually responding. And her realizing she would need to forgive her parents for their past neglect (maybe indifference is a better word choice for their treatment of her?)...

I LOVED Mrs. Brashares. I loved her straightforwardness and her acceptance of Abby wherever she is. And Chris was great, too.

It was nice to read a spiritual journey that felt real to me.

I'm not aware of books like this for youth in other religions (I'm sure they're out there, but I doubt they're mainstream enough to be at my library) (and I usually avoid LDS literature because it is so often quite bad) but this was wonderful.

[elena bomfim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abigail got expelled from her old school because he hurt the principal's son. Most schools won't accept her to come in, and she does not want to be homeschooled. A private Catholic school accepts her and her parents send her there. The thing is, they don't believe in God. At first, Abby tries to make it seem like she's starting to become a Christian to make her parents mad and be trouble, but she actually starts to get interested in Catholicism. She makes a new friend, and her life starts to get better each day. I recommend this book for someone who does not like fantasy and likes a good story about change in people's lives.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being expelled from public school, Abigail in enrolled at a Catholic school for sixth grade. At first the reader doesn't know why, but slowly more and more details are revealed. Since she can take an elective, Abigail chooses drama — to annoy her parents. And then, to annoy them even more, she decides she wants to become a Catholic. But, she discovers, she not only likes acting, she's good at it! And maybe, just maybe, if she tries hard enough, people will listen to her when she needs them too.

An excellent book, with characters the reader will care about and a believable plot, makes it hard to put down. Recommended.

[Jazmyn Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Leap of Faith ) Is very interesting because the main charter is Abby and she got expelled because she cut Brett Mc Avery face. So her parents moved her to a catholic school. The first days of school were hard for her until she met Jenna . Jenna and Abby signed up for drama then Abby found another friend, his name was Chris.They had to do a class assignment together then they ended up in a big fight. Now Chris is ignoring Abby. Abby wants to become a catholic because she wants to make her parents mad. Everyday she would go to see the priest and talk to him about becoming a catholic and her parents didn't approve of that and they didn't know she as talking to the priest until he called them. Chris's mom even drove Abby to church every night at 8:00 without her parents even knowing. In drama class, the started to do a play that was for Thanksgiving. Abby tried out for the lead. Will she get the part??? OR will it go to her friend Jenna? Chris was trying out for the boy lead....but I will tell you, he gets the part. Abby's parents did not come to her play....will they ever find out what she is up to.....

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby learned the hard way that her parents not only don't pay attention to her, they don't hear her when she's in distress. Her acting out gets her expelled from public school, so her parents enroll her in Catholic school -- and then are distressed to find that she's interested in the Faith. Abby decides to capitalize on this: to get her parents' attention, she enrolls in RCIA, but doesn't count on it making an impact on her. This book was a surprisingly sensitive look at an adolescent's faith life.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book about a girl going to Catholic school and dealing with stuff. The school stuff felt realistic to me (based on my tiny personal sample) and I liked how she dealt with stuff like her parents’ obliviousness and her sexual assault by a peer. I thought the religion stuff was a good way to show her reaching desperately for something she could rely on, and I’m not sure she’ll be happy with it but it was in character. Also spite conversion seems like a very appropriate thing for her.

[Cherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abby, forced to attend Catholic school after being kicked out of public school for knifing a boy who has sexually harrassed her since 3rd grade, learns to be seen and to forgive. I was touched by her journey to see herself and her choices in a different light, and to create a relationship with her parents.

[Carmen Imes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story -- both heartbreaking and heartwarming, but not in a wildly dramatic sort of way. This is a quiet book that wrestles with real issues -- being seen and being invisible, doubt and believing, friendship and family. I read it in one sitting, and I'm so glad I did!

[Juliana AD · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning of sixth grade Abby is expelled for defending herself against a bully at her school, but no one will listen to her. Abby ends up starting at a catholic school where she finds people who will listen.

I totally relate with Abby as my family often doesn't listen to me.

[Kristen Luppino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of hers, but does get into the head of a middle schooler.

[Leslea Wahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great middle-grade story about faith, family, friendships, and forgiveness.

[Vicki Bahls · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl responds to a bully, sent to a Catholic school and decides to learn Catholicism. Also enters drama class and comes to terms with parents who "are not listening" to her! Very good!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord is Swiss Cheese!!! :D

[Josephine Burks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I got most from this book is listen to your children and believe them when they tell you someone at school is bullying them.

[Keara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book was amazing. If i had to read any of the books i already had I would read this. congrats on your book Kimberly!!!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book feels like a middle school version of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. However, the faith component is unlike any I’ve seen in children’s or young adult literature and I loved that about it.