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Taking Off
Reimagining the days surrounding this unforgettable event in history, readers are brought back to 1986 as the astronauts prepare for the Challenger mission, and Christa McAullife trains to be the first teacher in space. When a teen named Annie meets Christa, she is fascinated by Christa's courage. Truly inspired, Annie is determined to make it to Florida to see the Challenger launch, a trip that will forever change how she thinks about herself and her secret desire for her own future. Although she is devastated when tragedy strikes, Annie honors Christa by following her own dream, despite the obstacles. Bringing in her experience as a NASA engineer, Jenny Moss weaves a moving story that recaptures the inspiration teens must have felt years ago as they watched Christa McAuliffe reach for the sky.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 4, 2010
23 people are currently reading
896 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Moss
12 books146 followersJenny Moss lives in Texas and writes.
She is the author of SHADOW (Scholastic Press) and WINNIE'S WAR and TAKING OFF (Walker/Bloomsbury). She also writes under her birth name, Jennifer McKissack (the YA Gothic SANCTUARY, Scholastic Press).
She is the author of SHADOW (Scholastic Press) and WINNIE'S WAR and TAKING OFF (Walker/Bloomsbury). She also writes under her birth name, Jennifer McKissack (the YA Gothic SANCTUARY, Scholastic Press).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
January 24, 2012
First and foremost, I must thank my wonderful Secret Santa ARLENE for gifting me this beautiful book.
I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this at all. There were plenty of "awww" moments, a decent story and a hawt lead male :)
I would also be lying if I said I just absolutely loved this. There were plenty of cheese-tastic moments, a love triangle and an immaturity that was difficult to deal with at times. To a point it was hard to read a main character who was so undecided and committed to keeping secrets about herself.
Spoilers ahead:
Annie is a shy girl. She has been with Mark for 2 years now and doesn't really think she is in love with him. She has a deep dark secret.... she wants to write poetry!!! Yep, that's some pretty scary stuff there. She lives in Texas near the NASA headquarters. Her communiy is a space community. She gets to meet Christa McAuliffe, the teacher who is going into space and she inspires Annie to just be the best "you" she can be. Annie talks her dad into taking her to see the launch Christa is in. He just happens to bring along some eye-candy in Tommy. Their car breaks down and Annie and Tommy get a ride to a hotel while the dad stays behind to get the car fixed... yep, you read that right. Quality parenting. Book parents at their best. UGGGHHH.
Anywho, so there is definitely a connection between Tommy and Annie. The Launch keeps getting delayed to they get to spend tons of time together. They go to Disney World and the beach. They eat together, etc. There is a ton of "tension".
Ultimately, Annie gets to see the launch. It is not the joyous occasion she had been hoping for. A deep sadness fills her.
She dumps boyfriend, get's over her grief, writes poems, gets a new boyfriend and decides to go to college.
(and it really bothers me that said boyfriend is going to wind up going to college in Virginia and follow her)
Not sure who I would rec this to. It's not bad, maybe just a little young for me. I can see lots of high-school girls really swooning over this one. I think people who are interested in NASA/Space, who also want a love story that is light and fluffy, not boggled down with NASA details will like this.
3 stars
I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this at all. There were plenty of "awww" moments, a decent story and a hawt lead male :)
I would also be lying if I said I just absolutely loved this. There were plenty of cheese-tastic moments, a love triangle and an immaturity that was difficult to deal with at times. To a point it was hard to read a main character who was so undecided and committed to keeping secrets about herself.
Spoilers ahead:
Annie is a shy girl. She has been with Mark for 2 years now and doesn't really think she is in love with him. She has a deep dark secret.... she wants to write poetry!!! Yep, that's some pretty scary stuff there. She lives in Texas near the NASA headquarters. Her communiy is a space community. She gets to meet Christa McAuliffe, the teacher who is going into space and she inspires Annie to just be the best "you" she can be. Annie talks her dad into taking her to see the launch Christa is in. He just happens to bring along some eye-candy in Tommy. Their car breaks down and Annie and Tommy get a ride to a hotel while the dad stays behind to get the car fixed... yep, you read that right. Quality parenting. Book parents at their best. UGGGHHH.
Anywho, so there is definitely a connection between Tommy and Annie. The Launch keeps getting delayed to they get to spend tons of time together. They go to Disney World and the beach. They eat together, etc. There is a ton of "tension".
Ultimately, Annie gets to see the launch. It is not the joyous occasion she had been hoping for. A deep sadness fills her.
She dumps boyfriend, get's over her grief, writes poems, gets a new boyfriend and decides to go to college.
(and it really bothers me that said boyfriend is going to wind up going to college in Virginia and follow her)
Not sure who I would rec this to. It's not bad, maybe just a little young for me. I can see lots of high-school girls really swooning over this one. I think people who are interested in NASA/Space, who also want a love story that is light and fluffy, not boggled down with NASA details will like this.
3 stars
January 17, 2011
I was a junior in high school when the space shuttle Challenger exploded, and I remember vividly the feeling of devastation I felt in that moment. Like so many others, I was fascinated by the space shuttle program and followed its every move. I was enraptured and inspired by Christa McAuliffe. In Taking Off, Jenny Moss has captured the essence of that period of my life with sincerity. The protagonist Annie Porter is engaging and authentic. Her story is specific to a particular time and place, yet her struggle as a young adult trying find her way is timeless, common, and wonderful. I love everything about this novel. It is a must-read for introspective young adults and for readers who were teenagers in the eighties.
May 29, 2022
I really enjoyed this wonderful book, I loved Annie, such a wonderful complex character, I remember that uncertainty of youth so clearly. She is such a thoughtful and intelligent character and I loved the interaction between her and the wonderful Christa, I felt the sensitive portrayal of Christa's character was really touching and a beautiful tribute.
Ive never forgotten the Challenger accident nor the lives that were lost and I feel this was a beautifully written tribute, a wonderful book, beautifully written by an author who worked at NASA at the time.
Ive never forgotten the Challenger accident nor the lives that were lost and I feel this was a beautifully written tribute, a wonderful book, beautifully written by an author who worked at NASA at the time.
September 19, 2011
It would have been a four-star book if only...
1) The event which this ENTIRE FREAKING STORY revolves around... falls flat. Flatter than flat. Flatter than the earth as people thought it would have been 700 years ago, when they thought the earth was flat. So flat that you are dumbstruck by how they could have made such an emotionally tragic event in American history sound so... flat.
2) The main character came straight out of a Mexican soap opera. Sobby characters who sob at every complicated turn in their life get on my nerves.
3) It wasn't really convincing, the relationship that Annie and Christa McAuliffe had. I'm supposed to be convinced that after a friendly volleyball tourney and after a small family dinner conversation will totally inspires someone to totally go off about "reaching for the stars"? That's a little bit bordering on obsessive. If i went on and on, droning about how that dinner experience and that volleyball experience with America's Favorite Teachernaut was so inspiring throughout the whole book, wouldn't that seem kinda a little weird that someone could get so close to someone else they've barely met? That's kinda the whole relationship Annie and Christa McAuliffe had throughout the entire book. I just can't get it into my thick skull that a two-time experience could be so "tragically inspiring".
It would have been a two-star book except...
The plot line was interesting enough. If you take out the annoying protagonist, annoying boyfriend, and annoying protagonist, then the story itself at least captured my attention. That's what matters, right? Hey, there were times when Annie from Texas wasn't so annoying. If you actually took out the crying sequences, those tragic moments could have been more tragic.
Also, the main event which the story was supposedly supposed to revolve around was what brought me to read this book in the first place. I kept hoping and hoping throughout the book that the event would finally happen, so that things would get more interesting. But if that was the climax, then it sure is a pretty... lame climax. I was so disappointed after the even happened. LIKE SERIOUSLY HOW COULD YOU WRITE SOMETHING SO EMOTIONLESS?!?!?
I don't know, maybe that was the part where the author wasn't exactly sure how to write out. But nevertheless, three-star book, amateur characters, and.. yeah.
1) The event which this ENTIRE FREAKING STORY revolves around... falls flat. Flatter than flat. Flatter than the earth as people thought it would have been 700 years ago, when they thought the earth was flat. So flat that you are dumbstruck by how they could have made such an emotionally tragic event in American history sound so... flat.
2) The main character came straight out of a Mexican soap opera. Sobby characters who sob at every complicated turn in their life get on my nerves.
3) It wasn't really convincing, the relationship that Annie and Christa McAuliffe had. I'm supposed to be convinced that after a friendly volleyball tourney and after a small family dinner conversation will totally inspires someone to totally go off about "reaching for the stars"? That's a little bit bordering on obsessive. If i went on and on, droning about how that dinner experience and that volleyball experience with America's Favorite Teachernaut was so inspiring throughout the whole book, wouldn't that seem kinda a little weird that someone could get so close to someone else they've barely met? That's kinda the whole relationship Annie and Christa McAuliffe had throughout the entire book. I just can't get it into my thick skull that a two-time experience could be so "tragically inspiring".
It would have been a two-star book except...
The plot line was interesting enough. If you take out the annoying protagonist, annoying boyfriend, and annoying protagonist, then the story itself at least captured my attention. That's what matters, right? Hey, there were times when Annie from Texas wasn't so annoying. If you actually took out the crying sequences, those tragic moments could have been more tragic.
Also, the main event which the story was supposedly supposed to revolve around was what brought me to read this book in the first place. I kept hoping and hoping throughout the book that the event would finally happen, so that things would get more interesting. But if that was the climax, then it sure is a pretty... lame climax. I was so disappointed after the even happened. LIKE SERIOUSLY HOW COULD YOU WRITE SOMETHING SO EMOTIONLESS?!?!?
I don't know, maybe that was the part where the author wasn't exactly sure how to write out. But nevertheless, three-star book, amateur characters, and.. yeah.
Want to read
August 4, 2011I look forward to reading this. I would say it was one of the most memorable events I had as a child. I loved space--wanted to go to space camp, subscribed to space magazines and lived at the planetarium when I was in 5th grade. Our class watched the shuttle-- Christa was the embodiment of every teacher and student in America. We were with her... and I still tear up thinking about it all these years later.
August 9, 2014
Well, that was slightly disappointing and very anti-climatic.
I had this book on my shelf for awhile now, but for some reason decided to randomly pick it up. While it was a decently good read and was pretty quick to get through, there were just a few things that fell flat.
It's the late 1980s, and Annie is about to graduate high school with absolutely no idea what she wants for her future. She wants to be a poet, which is her big huge scary secret, but doesn't have confidence in herself and cares too much what other people think. She doesn't know if she wants to go to college, even though her mother's rich dentist boyfriend is more than willing to pay her way. Must be nice. I related very much to Annie's inner struggles about her future and her avoidance of the subject of college because I was exactly the same when I was a senior in high school. I had absolutely no idea what I wanted and felt pressured and depressed by my classmates who knew which path they were headed down.
After briefly meeting Christa McAullife, the teacher chosen to represent the Teacher in Space program, Annie's whole outlook on life changes. She convinces her mom to let her road trip to Florida to see the Challenger lift off into space, on the condition that she goes with her father. Her dad randomly brings some young guy he works with along, and Annie randomly falls in love with him (Tommy) within about five minutes and forgets all about her boyfriend back at home. Along the way, Annie's dad's "art car" breaks down and of course his suggestion is that he leaves his young teenager daughter alone in a hotel room with his young hormonal super good looking coworker. Fictional parenting at its best. I let that slide though. The instalove didn't even bother me that much. What bothered me is the event that this book is centered around.
On January 28, 1986 the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded in mid-air about 73 seconds after lift off, killing all seven crew members, including Christa McAullife. I knew this event would be a big part of this book, which is why I was so interested in this book in the first place. Being only 23, I obviously wasn't around when the Challenger accident occurred, but I've always been interested in the story, the crew members, and the video clips on youtube. This is not a spoiler, by the way. The Challenger was a real space shuttle, Christa McAullife was a real person, and tragically the explosion was a real event. With that being said, I have respect for the author for portraying the Challenger accident accurately, and for her obvious admiration for Christa McAullife. Now with that being said, I felt like, in the book, this event was very anti-climatic. People cried and then went home and then Annie was in a deep depression for a long time as if she knew the crew members on a deep, personal level. It was without a doubt a devastating tragedy and I can relate to Annie's sadness, but her reaction just felt... too much.
TAKING OFF was a fun blast into the past. I love when authors incorporate real life events into a fictional world. Annie was one of the most real characters I've read about in awhile. She had flaws, which is what makes her so real. Jenny Moss did a great job at portraying a character who didn't have her entire future wrapped neatly in bows and pretty paper. I enjoyed seeing Annie's growth and her rise in self confidence. She was a character I really enjoyed. I loved this book; I just felt greatly disappointed by the event in which this book centered around, which is why I only rated it a three. However, my real rating is probably a 3.5 (:
I had this book on my shelf for awhile now, but for some reason decided to randomly pick it up. While it was a decently good read and was pretty quick to get through, there were just a few things that fell flat.
It's the late 1980s, and Annie is about to graduate high school with absolutely no idea what she wants for her future. She wants to be a poet, which is her big huge scary secret, but doesn't have confidence in herself and cares too much what other people think. She doesn't know if she wants to go to college, even though her mother's rich dentist boyfriend is more than willing to pay her way. Must be nice. I related very much to Annie's inner struggles about her future and her avoidance of the subject of college because I was exactly the same when I was a senior in high school. I had absolutely no idea what I wanted and felt pressured and depressed by my classmates who knew which path they were headed down.
After briefly meeting Christa McAullife, the teacher chosen to represent the Teacher in Space program, Annie's whole outlook on life changes. She convinces her mom to let her road trip to Florida to see the Challenger lift off into space, on the condition that she goes with her father. Her dad randomly brings some young guy he works with along, and Annie randomly falls in love with him (Tommy) within about five minutes and forgets all about her boyfriend back at home. Along the way, Annie's dad's "art car" breaks down and of course his suggestion is that he leaves his young teenager daughter alone in a hotel room with his young hormonal super good looking coworker. Fictional parenting at its best. I let that slide though. The instalove didn't even bother me that much. What bothered me is the event that this book is centered around.
On January 28, 1986 the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded in mid-air about 73 seconds after lift off, killing all seven crew members, including Christa McAullife. I knew this event would be a big part of this book, which is why I was so interested in this book in the first place. Being only 23, I obviously wasn't around when the Challenger accident occurred, but I've always been interested in the story, the crew members, and the video clips on youtube. This is not a spoiler, by the way. The Challenger was a real space shuttle, Christa McAullife was a real person, and tragically the explosion was a real event. With that being said, I have respect for the author for portraying the Challenger accident accurately, and for her obvious admiration for Christa McAullife. Now with that being said, I felt like, in the book, this event was very anti-climatic. People cried and then went home and then Annie was in a deep depression for a long time as if she knew the crew members on a deep, personal level. It was without a doubt a devastating tragedy and I can relate to Annie's sadness, but her reaction just felt... too much.
TAKING OFF was a fun blast into the past. I love when authors incorporate real life events into a fictional world. Annie was one of the most real characters I've read about in awhile. She had flaws, which is what makes her so real. Jenny Moss did a great job at portraying a character who didn't have her entire future wrapped neatly in bows and pretty paper. I enjoyed seeing Annie's growth and her rise in self confidence. She was a character I really enjoyed. I loved this book; I just felt greatly disappointed by the event in which this book centered around, which is why I only rated it a three. However, my real rating is probably a 3.5 (:
December 8, 2010
I remember sitting in my dad’s car that day in 1986, listening to the radio news of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and feeling like it was impossible, like it couldn’t really have happened.
I knew what would happen to the shuttle before I even turned a page of TAKING OFF, but somehow, I ended up gasping when it happened all the same.
TAKING OFF is about a girl named Annie, a high school senior growing up in a community of NASA engineers but worshipping words instead of numbers, colors instead of computations. She wants to be a poet but sees that dream and college as completely out of reach until serendipity drops her at a dinner party in the seat next to Christa McAuliffe.
McAuliffe, the New Hampshire teacher chosen for NASA’s teacher-in-space program, exudes an energy that Annie can almost touch, so different from her own guarded outlook on life. Inspired by McAuliffe’s charisma, drive, and infectious zest for life, Annie vows she’ll be there for the launch. She sets the wheels in motion for a road trip to Florida with her father and a handsome young friend of his, which doesn’t sit well with Annie’s long-time boyfriend, Mark.
What happens on that trip – in her father’s broken-down art-car, at Epcot, on the beach, and ultimately on a cold morning at Cape Canaveral, will change everything Annie thought she knew.
This book made me laugh and cry. It made me sigh with some of the most beautifully written passages, and it made me think about the connections art and poetry share with math and science. As a writer married to a weather geek scientist, I particularly appreciated the bridges this book builds between the two.
But mostly, I was swept up in the emotion of this coming-of-age story.
I knew what was going to happen. I did.
But that didn’t stop me from feeling everything Annie felt when the shuttle exploded. I might as well have been there with her, watching a teacher’s dream of flying in space come true, then end in cloud of white smoke in a blue sky in a matter of minutes. It didn’t matter that I knew. Not one bit.
That, my friends, is great writing.
TAKING OFF is due out from Walker/Bloombury in January 2011.
I knew what would happen to the shuttle before I even turned a page of TAKING OFF, but somehow, I ended up gasping when it happened all the same.
TAKING OFF is about a girl named Annie, a high school senior growing up in a community of NASA engineers but worshipping words instead of numbers, colors instead of computations. She wants to be a poet but sees that dream and college as completely out of reach until serendipity drops her at a dinner party in the seat next to Christa McAuliffe.
McAuliffe, the New Hampshire teacher chosen for NASA’s teacher-in-space program, exudes an energy that Annie can almost touch, so different from her own guarded outlook on life. Inspired by McAuliffe’s charisma, drive, and infectious zest for life, Annie vows she’ll be there for the launch. She sets the wheels in motion for a road trip to Florida with her father and a handsome young friend of his, which doesn’t sit well with Annie’s long-time boyfriend, Mark.
What happens on that trip – in her father’s broken-down art-car, at Epcot, on the beach, and ultimately on a cold morning at Cape Canaveral, will change everything Annie thought she knew.
This book made me laugh and cry. It made me sigh with some of the most beautifully written passages, and it made me think about the connections art and poetry share with math and science. As a writer married to a weather geek scientist, I particularly appreciated the bridges this book builds between the two.
But mostly, I was swept up in the emotion of this coming-of-age story.
I knew what was going to happen. I did.
But that didn’t stop me from feeling everything Annie felt when the shuttle exploded. I might as well have been there with her, watching a teacher’s dream of flying in space come true, then end in cloud of white smoke in a blue sky in a matter of minutes. It didn’t matter that I knew. Not one bit.
That, my friends, is great writing.
TAKING OFF is due out from Walker/Bloombury in January 2011.
December 29, 2010
It's 1985 in Houston, Texas and high school senior Annie has a secret. She wants to be a poet. Only, she's having a hard time admitting that to anyone, even to herself. What kind of living can you make being a poet? It seems an impossible dream. So Annie's stuck. While her best friend is going off to college next year and her boyfriend Mark wants her to stay in town and marry him, Annie is frozen by indecision. And then she meets Christa McCauliffe, an ordinary high school teacher who was chosen from thousands of applicants to go into space on the Challenger. Suddenly, Annie has a glimmer of hope. If this ordinary teacher can reach for her dreams, why can't Annie?
This is a realistic portrayal of a teen facing her senior year of high school and the seemingly impossible future that stretches out beyond. Jenny Moss does a good job of capturing the time period with details and her author's note is a very nice addition. I only wish that there had been more showing of Annie's emotions and reactions, rather than telling.
More on the blog: http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2010/...
This is a realistic portrayal of a teen facing her senior year of high school and the seemingly impossible future that stretches out beyond. Jenny Moss does a good job of capturing the time period with details and her author's note is a very nice addition. I only wish that there had been more showing of Annie's emotions and reactions, rather than telling.
More on the blog: http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2010/...
November 18, 2014
I wasn't sure about the Challenger backdrop, as that's a historical event that doesn't particularly interest me. But it turned into a really good 80s coming-of-age story (that actually felt like it was written in the 80s, which is great for someone like me who loves older books) with rich, solid characters that slowly but surely wrapped me up in their world.
July 16, 2017
Taking off kind of revolved around the Challenger space shuttle disaster in 1986, so this book is a little bit of historical fiction. In Taking off in mostly focuses on Annie's life with her divorced parents, best friend Lea, her boyfriend mark, and the new boy Tommy. While all her friends are focused on decisions after high school, Annie has had a bit more trouble on whether or not she should stay with her boyfriend in town or go to college ad explore the world more. While she meets Christa McAuliffe the first teacher ever to go into space and how she followed her dreams it inspired Annie to also follow her dreams. Read more to find out what happens, will she stay in her conformable town or go to college.
I would recommend this book to people who like realistic fiction and who would like to learn a little about the Challenger mission. This book was fascinating with many ups in downs. I would 100% recommend this book to people.
I would recommend this book to people who like realistic fiction and who would like to learn a little about the Challenger mission. This book was fascinating with many ups in downs. I would 100% recommend this book to people.
July 22, 2019
My overall reading experience on this one hovered between a 2 and a 3. I was intrigued by the fact that it is written around the event of the Challenger disaster, and the author is a former NASA engineer who actually helped train some of the Challenger crew members. But from a sheer storytelling aspect, the thing read a little too dry & slow for me.
November 23, 2018
What a beautiful, excellent book. Set around the time of the Challenger disaster and encompassing the way the accident inspired one young woman to be her best self.
August 18, 2023
such a great coming of age, finding your way book. this story is so inspiring and has such a cute and innocent romance 💕
October 31, 2011
This one's not a solid 3 star for me, but it was close enough.
I liked TAKING OFF quite a bit. Annie reminds me a lot of who I was at 18 and a senior in high school, right down to debating whether or not I wanted to go to college because I wanted to read and write poetry instead. It was a little eerie, even. Maybe what's sort of funnier is that I think a lot of what Annie's struggling with here is stuff I still think about a lot.
However, I've a few things that didn't quite work for me, including the fact that I don't believe there was enough of a relationship between Annie and Christa to make everything Annie comes to believe/discover/be inspired feel authentic. She and Christa met at a dinner party hosted by Annie's friend, but that was her only real connection to her. There was opportunity to expand this a little more in the front of the story, and had it been, this would have been a little more of a knock out for me. I wanted more of Annie's internal thoughts on why she connected so much to Christa near immediately. Annie really became enamored with her and her story. I wish she'd told me a little more why.
The other thing I didn't find completely compelling was Annie's relationship with her boyfriend and then with Tommy. It was sort of a strange thing that her father would bring a boy who was older than her on their trip to Florida and kind of let them have their time together. It's all innocent but it was sort of strange. It didn't feel like something Annie would let happen, the developing of a romance between them. I guess this comes down to wanting more out of Annie as a character. I think this is a rare instance I could have done with MORE of the romantic story line.
Annie's parental relationships a little odd. I'm fixated and fascinated by divorced parents, especially in ya lit, and this felt like a strangely calm relationship between her and her mother and her and her father, as well as with her parents between themselves. Even when mom becomes engaged again, there's little to it. I'm demanding, maybe, but I could have used a little more there.
My issues come down to tension and character. I wanted more of both. The story was there, and I found this slice of history to be completely engaging. When the shuttle launches, I held my breath because I knew what was coming and knew it was going to be devastating. The book worked because the historical event is a launch pad to a story, and it's here. I'd just have liked a little more.
But oh Annie. Man. I can't get over how similarly-minded I was to her at that age. It's always bizarre to read a book like that.
I may write an even longer review of this. Imagine!
I liked TAKING OFF quite a bit. Annie reminds me a lot of who I was at 18 and a senior in high school, right down to debating whether or not I wanted to go to college because I wanted to read and write poetry instead. It was a little eerie, even. Maybe what's sort of funnier is that I think a lot of what Annie's struggling with here is stuff I still think about a lot.
However, I've a few things that didn't quite work for me, including the fact that I don't believe there was enough of a relationship between Annie and Christa to make everything Annie comes to believe/discover/be inspired feel authentic. She and Christa met at a dinner party hosted by Annie's friend, but that was her only real connection to her. There was opportunity to expand this a little more in the front of the story, and had it been, this would have been a little more of a knock out for me. I wanted more of Annie's internal thoughts on why she connected so much to Christa near immediately. Annie really became enamored with her and her story. I wish she'd told me a little more why.
The other thing I didn't find completely compelling was Annie's relationship with her boyfriend and then with Tommy. It was sort of a strange thing that her father would bring a boy who was older than her on their trip to Florida and kind of let them have their time together. It's all innocent but it was sort of strange. It didn't feel like something Annie would let happen, the developing of a romance between them. I guess this comes down to wanting more out of Annie as a character. I think this is a rare instance I could have done with MORE of the romantic story line.
Annie's parental relationships a little odd. I'm fixated and fascinated by divorced parents, especially in ya lit, and this felt like a strangely calm relationship between her and her mother and her and her father, as well as with her parents between themselves. Even when mom becomes engaged again, there's little to it. I'm demanding, maybe, but I could have used a little more there.
My issues come down to tension and character. I wanted more of both. The story was there, and I found this slice of history to be completely engaging. When the shuttle launches, I held my breath because I knew what was coming and knew it was going to be devastating. The book worked because the historical event is a launch pad to a story, and it's here. I'd just have liked a little more.
But oh Annie. Man. I can't get over how similarly-minded I was to her at that age. It's always bizarre to read a book like that.
I may write an even longer review of this. Imagine!
February 9, 2021
Loved this story but so sad.
January 19, 2011
Most readers will know going in, either because they've learned about it or they read the jacket copy, that one of the major events in this book will be the explosion of the Challenger shuttle. But even knowing that, Moss was able to get my heart to leap into my throat when it was actually described. I was barely a year old when Challenger happened, but through Taking Off I felt like I was right there with Annie.
But remembering the Challenger and her crew (especially Christa McAuliffe) isn't the sole point of this book. The star is Annie, a senior in high school facing large, looming questions, like where is she going to college and what will she do with the rest of her life. Surrounded by engineers who work with NASA, and fellow students who know that college is the next step, Annie isn't even sure she wants to go to college. She loves poetry, and has tried her hand at writing a few times, but is pretty sure she's actually terrible and knows there's no money in the endeavor. She hides her passion from everyone - her divorced parents, her best friend, and her boyfriend of two years.
Meeting Christa, and roadtripping with her dad and his handsome young friend Tommy to see the Challenger launch, inspires Annie to start taking risks. Small ones first, but bit by bit Annie draws strength and inspiration from Christa's memory, and is finally able to take off for herself.
I also have to say, I really liked how Annie and Mark's relationship was handled. I've gotten burned out on the number of YA books that end with the teens finding their soul mates. Annie is content with Mark, but knows they're not soul mates. So refreshing to see a girl exploring her options!
This also feels like a very contemporary book. Some people are scared off by historical fiction, but aside from a few references to cassette tapes and President Reagan, and the historical fact of the Challenger disaster, this could have been set any time. Annie's problems are truly timeless.
But remembering the Challenger and her crew (especially Christa McAuliffe) isn't the sole point of this book. The star is Annie, a senior in high school facing large, looming questions, like where is she going to college and what will she do with the rest of her life. Surrounded by engineers who work with NASA, and fellow students who know that college is the next step, Annie isn't even sure she wants to go to college. She loves poetry, and has tried her hand at writing a few times, but is pretty sure she's actually terrible and knows there's no money in the endeavor. She hides her passion from everyone - her divorced parents, her best friend, and her boyfriend of two years.
Meeting Christa, and roadtripping with her dad and his handsome young friend Tommy to see the Challenger launch, inspires Annie to start taking risks. Small ones first, but bit by bit Annie draws strength and inspiration from Christa's memory, and is finally able to take off for herself.
I also have to say, I really liked how Annie and Mark's relationship was handled. I've gotten burned out on the number of YA books that end with the teens finding their soul mates. Annie is content with Mark, but knows they're not soul mates. So refreshing to see a girl exploring her options!
This also feels like a very contemporary book. Some people are scared off by historical fiction, but aside from a few references to cassette tapes and President Reagan, and the historical fact of the Challenger disaster, this could have been set any time. Annie's problems are truly timeless.
May 22, 2015
Taking Off revolves around the Challenger space shuttle disaster in 1986 which carried the first civilian on board: teacher Christa McAuliffe. High schooler Annie lives in Clear Lake, TX, home of the NASA's training center, and meets Christa at a dinner hosted by one her friend's NASA-employed parents. Annie feels immediately inspired by the teacher's enthusiasm for life. Annie herself is shy and indecisive. She doesn't have plans for college but wants to be a poet, which for some reason terrifies her to admit to anyone, including her mother or her longtime boyfriend.
When the opportunity arises for Annie to see Christa's shuttle launch, she takes a road trip with her estranged father and his younger buddy (and potential new love interest -he's just over 20) to Cape Canaveral, FL to see the Challenger take off. What's most unsettling about this book is knowing the history going into it. Annie's adoration of Christa is believable, and it caused me to think of the all the students affected by Christa's death when the shuttle exploded - schools across the nation watched in horror as it happened. At times Annie's story felt a little incongruent with the severity of the event, and I wished it was told from the perspective of one of Christa's students (still fictional) for a more personal connection. The story is really Annie's self-discovery with the Challenger mission serving as a historical framework.
The book has a mix of strengths and weaknesses; Annie is 17 but she felt younger to me. Certainly girls can be shy and lacking self-awareness as an older teen, but it almost felt like she should've been 14 with a lot of years left to grow. Some of the dialogue didn't ring true, like the historical setting was pushed into the narrative a bit too much at times. This is worth checking out if the subject interests you.
When the opportunity arises for Annie to see Christa's shuttle launch, she takes a road trip with her estranged father and his younger buddy (and potential new love interest -he's just over 20) to Cape Canaveral, FL to see the Challenger take off. What's most unsettling about this book is knowing the history going into it. Annie's adoration of Christa is believable, and it caused me to think of the all the students affected by Christa's death when the shuttle exploded - schools across the nation watched in horror as it happened. At times Annie's story felt a little incongruent with the severity of the event, and I wished it was told from the perspective of one of Christa's students (still fictional) for a more personal connection. The story is really Annie's self-discovery with the Challenger mission serving as a historical framework.
The book has a mix of strengths and weaknesses; Annie is 17 but she felt younger to me. Certainly girls can be shy and lacking self-awareness as an older teen, but it almost felt like she should've been 14 with a lot of years left to grow. Some of the dialogue didn't ring true, like the historical setting was pushed into the narrative a bit too much at times. This is worth checking out if the subject interests you.
September 3, 2013
I really WANTED to love this book, but just...didn't.
Writing: I thought the writing and dialogue were super stilted. Very young, I thought, and the repartee just didn't seem natural.
History: Felt like the author was pushing it down my throat at times. It seemed awkward to put certain things into dialogue, like explaining NASA things to Annie that were clear to me and should've been to her, considering where she grew up.
Characters: I thought they were just blah. Annie, in particular, just annoyed me to no end. She just seemed so young and immature - definitely not like a senior in high school. I thought she was immature and irresponsible. I could not, for the life of me, figure out why not one, but TWO awesome guys were totally in love with her. Just did not seem believable. Tommy was nice enough, but was sort of full of himself (also, why did he decide to follow HER out to Virginia??). Mark came off as a possessive jerk, despite him supposedly being kind and loyal and athletic. Oh, and Annie turning from not-even-sure-about-college to sudden Ph.D-seeker seemed odd to me. Also, inconsistent: suddenly she was brave! And played tennis! And has all these other talents!
Plot: The Challenger was the only interesting and non-whiny part of the whole story, and even though so much of it was geared to that, I thought it just kind of fell off. I didn't buy why Annie was so smitten with Christa, nor did I really feel her emotion with the crash was authentic. The fact that her dad let her go off with Tommy with no money or supplies or transportation and then got mad at her for (innocently) sharing a room with him was weird.
Despite all this, it was actually a somewhat engaging read. Probably a 2.5 star book for me, but just not on par with my other 3-star books.
Writing: I thought the writing and dialogue were super stilted. Very young, I thought, and the repartee just didn't seem natural.
History: Felt like the author was pushing it down my throat at times. It seemed awkward to put certain things into dialogue, like explaining NASA things to Annie that were clear to me and should've been to her, considering where she grew up.
Characters: I thought they were just blah. Annie, in particular, just annoyed me to no end. She just seemed so young and immature - definitely not like a senior in high school. I thought she was immature and irresponsible. I could not, for the life of me, figure out why not one, but TWO awesome guys were totally in love with her. Just did not seem believable. Tommy was nice enough, but was sort of full of himself (also, why did he decide to follow HER out to Virginia??). Mark came off as a possessive jerk, despite him supposedly being kind and loyal and athletic. Oh, and Annie turning from not-even-sure-about-college to sudden Ph.D-seeker seemed odd to me. Also, inconsistent: suddenly she was brave! And played tennis! And has all these other talents!
Plot: The Challenger was the only interesting and non-whiny part of the whole story, and even though so much of it was geared to that, I thought it just kind of fell off. I didn't buy why Annie was so smitten with Christa, nor did I really feel her emotion with the crash was authentic. The fact that her dad let her go off with Tommy with no money or supplies or transportation and then got mad at her for (innocently) sharing a room with him was weird.
Despite all this, it was actually a somewhat engaging read. Probably a 2.5 star book for me, but just not on par with my other 3-star books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2011
This was a truly enjoyable read, and I'm taking it to school tomorrow to pass along to a science teacher who's an avid reader (yay!). Sure, it's not strictly science-
I was a tiny bit reluctant to pick up this book at first, just because I knew what happened to Christa McAuliffe and the space shuttle and knew I would kind of dread that event until it happened in the story. I'm not going into too much detail, just in case you're unfamiliar with what happened (which is entirely possible--not many of my 8th graders know much, if anything, about it).
Anyway, I really liked it! Annie's a great character who, like many high school seniors, isn't really sure of what she wants to do with her life. Back in the 80's, there was a super-strong push for *everyone* to go to college but Annie really likes her life the way it is and doesn't know if she wants to go to college. It doesn't help that her long-time boyfriend just wants to travel and surf.
But then she meets Christa McAuliffe at a dinner party her friend's parents, her life takes a completely different direction. She's entranced by Christa and, after the dinner, is determined to go to the launch.
This choice changes the course of Annie's life. Taking her on the road trip is her quirky father and his co-worker, Tommy, a super-hot college dropout (with potential!). I really liked all of the characters in this book. They were interesting, well-developed and had purpose and importance in Annie's journey. Plus, I'm a sucker for a good road trip story.
Of course, it made me cry, too. Yes, tissue was employed. Twice! TAKING OFF is a fabulous journey of self-discovery. (And I really like the cover, too--suits the story.)
I was a tiny bit reluctant to pick up this book at first, just because I knew what happened to Christa McAuliffe and the space shuttle and knew I would kind of dread that event until it happened in the story. I'm not going into too much detail, just in case you're unfamiliar with what happened (which is entirely possible--not many of my 8th graders know much, if anything, about it).
Anyway, I really liked it! Annie's a great character who, like many high school seniors, isn't really sure of what she wants to do with her life. Back in the 80's, there was a super-strong push for *everyone* to go to college but Annie really likes her life the way it is and doesn't know if she wants to go to college. It doesn't help that her long-time boyfriend just wants to travel and surf.
But then she meets Christa McAuliffe at a dinner party her friend's parents, her life takes a completely different direction. She's entranced by Christa and, after the dinner, is determined to go to the launch.
This choice changes the course of Annie's life. Taking her on the road trip is her quirky father and his co-worker, Tommy, a super-hot college dropout (with potential!). I really liked all of the characters in this book. They were interesting, well-developed and had purpose and importance in Annie's journey. Plus, I'm a sucker for a good road trip story.
Of course, it made me cry, too. Yes, tissue was employed. Twice! TAKING OFF is a fabulous journey of self-discovery. (And I really like the cover, too--suits the story.)
May 13, 2014
Alright. I was originally drawn to this book because of how it focuses on the Challenger explosion. I don't know a whole lot about it. I mean, I didn't live through it, and my history classes never got past like, Kennedy's assassination. So I never really got to see how it impacted people of the time. (Well, until I talk to my mom about it.)
I read this because I wanted more context in those areas. I wanted to feel like I was in 1986 and I was seeing all of this happen, getting wrapped up in the hype and then seeing it explode. And on that front, it was a little lacking. I barely even felt like I was in 1986. There was almost nothing that made it seem like it wasn't present day, just the lack of cell phones.
But I will say that it presented Christa McAuliffe in a cool way. As a teacher myself, it was great to see how the nation fell in love with this one teacher who got the chance to go to space. I really didn't know anything about her before I started this book, and I was really happy that I got to read it just for her.
The rest of the story was pretty good too. Annie is in a steady relationship with a boy that she's always just assumed she needs to be with but has never really analyzed her feelings. She's almost scared of herself at times, in a way that I think most of us are at that age. Christa was the catalyst she needed to see that she doesn't have to take life at face value. She can make something of it.
There were some good messages behind this story. I mean, some of the characters weren't as developed as I was hoping (or they were pretty immature for their age), but I can balance that against characters like Annie and Christa.
I read this because I wanted more context in those areas. I wanted to feel like I was in 1986 and I was seeing all of this happen, getting wrapped up in the hype and then seeing it explode. And on that front, it was a little lacking. I barely even felt like I was in 1986. There was almost nothing that made it seem like it wasn't present day, just the lack of cell phones.
But I will say that it presented Christa McAuliffe in a cool way. As a teacher myself, it was great to see how the nation fell in love with this one teacher who got the chance to go to space. I really didn't know anything about her before I started this book, and I was really happy that I got to read it just for her.
The rest of the story was pretty good too. Annie is in a steady relationship with a boy that she's always just assumed she needs to be with but has never really analyzed her feelings. She's almost scared of herself at times, in a way that I think most of us are at that age. Christa was the catalyst she needed to see that she doesn't have to take life at face value. She can make something of it.
There were some good messages behind this story. I mean, some of the characters weren't as developed as I was hoping (or they were pretty immature for their age), but I can balance that against characters like Annie and Christa.
August 28, 2011
A coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of the space shuttle Challenger tragedy, I'm totally in love with the concept of this book. Annie is a vivid character struggling to figure out what she wants to do after senior year. She's from a small town in Texas ruled by NASA, she's been dating her boyfriend for two years and been friends with him for even longer, and her best friend seems to know exactly where she's going. In fact, everyone seems to know what Annie should do with her life except, well, Annie. All that changes the night she meets teachernaut Christa McAullife at a dinner party, and for the first time, Annie knows exactly where she should be--at the launch of Challenger 1,000 miles away in Florida.
This book made me laugh and cry, and I could tell the author had an intimate knowledge of the space program (Moss worked as a NASA engineer for the Challenger mission). The one thing that keeps me from giving this book five stars is the writing. It's a little juvenile for the age group, and the dialogue isn't stellar (no pun intended). But none of that seemed to matter so much after I got to know the characters.
You don't have to be a space junky to love this book. Actually, if you're looking for a book about space travel and NASA history, this isn't the book for you. It's really a book about one girl, trying to find her place among the stars.
This book made me laugh and cry, and I could tell the author had an intimate knowledge of the space program (Moss worked as a NASA engineer for the Challenger mission). The one thing that keeps me from giving this book five stars is the writing. It's a little juvenile for the age group, and the dialogue isn't stellar (no pun intended). But none of that seemed to matter so much after I got to know the characters.
You don't have to be a space junky to love this book. Actually, if you're looking for a book about space travel and NASA history, this isn't the book for you. It's really a book about one girl, trying to find her place among the stars.
January 22, 2011
I was born ten years after the Challenger accident, so this subject was brand new to me. It starts off with the reader learning about Annie’s life in “spacey” Texas where she has the seemingly best boyfriend and the awesome best friend. That friend, Lea, invites her to her mother’s dinner party where soon to be teachernaut Christa McCauliffe would be. She accepts and later talks to Christa at the party. I thought that Christa was magnificently portrayed in this novel. Through Annie, I got to experience how Christa inspired people.
Annie then goes on a road trip with her dad and his hot twenty-one year old co-worker, Tommy. Do you guys see where this is going? I loved how Annie and Tommy’s relationship developed. She knew that she already had a boyfriend so she friended Tommy. Then it gently grew into something more. The relationship between her and her father was an interesting one too. I could feel her frustration with him because he was so laid back when she wanted to get to Christa’s launch in time.
I did feel like something was missing though. Nothing big or anything, but I felt like after the Challenger tragedy ended, so did the excitement. I guess that it was a conclusion so it was suppose to start slowing down, but the accident happened a third of the way through the book and there were still, like, fifty pages left!
Overall, Taking Off was a beautiful story filled with love, laughter, and excitement. I can’t wait to read some more Jenny Moss books!
Annie then goes on a road trip with her dad and his hot twenty-one year old co-worker, Tommy. Do you guys see where this is going? I loved how Annie and Tommy’s relationship developed. She knew that she already had a boyfriend so she friended Tommy. Then it gently grew into something more. The relationship between her and her father was an interesting one too. I could feel her frustration with him because he was so laid back when she wanted to get to Christa’s launch in time.
I did feel like something was missing though. Nothing big or anything, but I felt like after the Challenger tragedy ended, so did the excitement. I guess that it was a conclusion so it was suppose to start slowing down, but the accident happened a third of the way through the book and there were still, like, fifty pages left!
Overall, Taking Off was a beautiful story filled with love, laughter, and excitement. I can’t wait to read some more Jenny Moss books!
September 11, 2011
A wonderful read that intertwines growing up, falling in love, and finding yourself centered around the story of the Challenger. I really liked the way Jenny Moss created such a believable contemporary around such a tragic event. Jenny does a suburb job at taking her readers back to that fateful day in 1986 when a team of astronauts, including school teacher Christa McAullife where to embark on a mission of a life time. Fulfilling her dream of watching the challenger take off is Annie, a senior from high school who's meet and become so inspired by Christa, that she starts to really examine herself and what her own goals and aspirations are.
After seeing first hard the tragedy that unfolds, Annie goes from being a complacent character, to someone who starts to make changes in her life and decides to follow in Christa's footsteps by following her own dreams. What unfolds is a realistic, inspirational story. Annie finds inspiration from Christa, which helps her find her place in the world, it helps her to let go and branch out of her comfort zone. She experiences heartache, true love and finds the desire and courage to make her mark in the world. I still remember the events that unfolded and how sad I felt with the news of the challenger, so I can only imagine how someone like Annie would have felt and how moved they would have been by seeing this first hand. Taking Off is both an inspirational read and an enjoyable one. I recommend picking it up.
After seeing first hard the tragedy that unfolds, Annie goes from being a complacent character, to someone who starts to make changes in her life and decides to follow in Christa's footsteps by following her own dreams. What unfolds is a realistic, inspirational story. Annie finds inspiration from Christa, which helps her find her place in the world, it helps her to let go and branch out of her comfort zone. She experiences heartache, true love and finds the desire and courage to make her mark in the world. I still remember the events that unfolded and how sad I felt with the news of the challenger, so I can only imagine how someone like Annie would have felt and how moved they would have been by seeing this first hand. Taking Off is both an inspirational read and an enjoyable one. I recommend picking it up.
March 22, 2011
In Taking Off, Annie gets to meet the infamous Christa McAuliffe, the first teachernaut who will go into space. Annie is inspired by Christa's energy and ambition, and hopes that it will help her with her own confusion about her life. Annie lives near Houston, Texas. A city full of engineers, scientists, and astronauts. Annie's dream, however, is not to be any of these careers. She dreams of being a poet and teaching others about poetry. She dreams of traveling the world and looking at Vincent Van Gogh art, and using words to describe the emotion of the art. Annie is then offered the oppurtunity to see Christa's shuttle take off from Kennedy Space Center. She is thrilled about the prospect of going, and perhaps along the way she will find the answers she is so desperately seeking to fulfill her dream.
This a great book about fulfilling your dreams, but there a moments when it does get didactic. Moss does a good job of incorporating McAuliffe's personality and ambition into the books, however brief it is. I like that she incorporated the Beatmobile and The Love Bus in the plot, as it adds a certain amount of sillyness and comedy to the tragedy that is foreshadowed. The touch of romance and jealousy Jenny adds between Annie, Mark, and Tommy make the story an enjoyable read. For those looking for something clean, historic, and fun, this book would make an excellant addition to your collection
This a great book about fulfilling your dreams, but there a moments when it does get didactic. Moss does a good job of incorporating McAuliffe's personality and ambition into the books, however brief it is. I like that she incorporated the Beatmobile and The Love Bus in the plot, as it adds a certain amount of sillyness and comedy to the tragedy that is foreshadowed. The touch of romance and jealousy Jenny adds between Annie, Mark, and Tommy make the story an enjoyable read. For those looking for something clean, historic, and fun, this book would make an excellant addition to your collection
October 1, 2011
No one labels me as an eccentric, but that's because they don't know what's in my heart.
In the late Fall of 1985, Annie is a high school senior in suburban Houston, and her comfortable life is on the verge of being completely upended. Her best friend wants her to go to college in Austin with her. Her boyfriend of two years wants her to stay in town with him. Her mother wants her to be friendlier to Donald, her mother's boyfriend. Annie isn't sure what she wants, except that she wants to be a poet, an idea she keeps secret from the engineers and space program geeks who populate most of her town. Then, she meets Christa McAuliffe at a dinner party. She can't help but feel inspired by the famous "Teachernaut", so inspired that she decides to take a road trip to Florida to see the Challenger launch. And maybe, while she's at it, figure out where she wants to go.
This is a quiet novel, with a lot of introspection. As it opens, Annie is caught between conflicting impulses and would really rather hole up at home than deal with making decisions about her future. While it is a situation many teens will recognize, the story lacks action, making it less than compelling. Even the romantic subplot, with its potential for angst and drama, ends up feeling underwhelming. The book might find its audience with adults who remember the Challenger disaster and will appreciate former NASA engineer Moss's attention to detail.
In the late Fall of 1985, Annie is a high school senior in suburban Houston, and her comfortable life is on the verge of being completely upended. Her best friend wants her to go to college in Austin with her. Her boyfriend of two years wants her to stay in town with him. Her mother wants her to be friendlier to Donald, her mother's boyfriend. Annie isn't sure what she wants, except that she wants to be a poet, an idea she keeps secret from the engineers and space program geeks who populate most of her town. Then, she meets Christa McAuliffe at a dinner party. She can't help but feel inspired by the famous "Teachernaut", so inspired that she decides to take a road trip to Florida to see the Challenger launch. And maybe, while she's at it, figure out where she wants to go.
This is a quiet novel, with a lot of introspection. As it opens, Annie is caught between conflicting impulses and would really rather hole up at home than deal with making decisions about her future. While it is a situation many teens will recognize, the story lacks action, making it less than compelling. Even the romantic subplot, with its potential for angst and drama, ends up feeling underwhelming. The book might find its audience with adults who remember the Challenger disaster and will appreciate former NASA engineer Moss's attention to detail.
February 12, 2011
I was in 3rd grade when the Challenger disaster occurred. Like so many other kids that day, my class watched the launch live on TV. I don't remember much about it - except that the girl in my class who wanted to be an astronaut was crying, and we felt bad for her - but even after 25 years, the name Christa McAuliffe has stuck with me.
Chosen from over 11,000 applicants to be the first private citizen and school teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe is the inspiration of this story. It is her zest for life, her adventurous spirit and loving warmth that help Annie, the main character, break with her normal quiet routine and have an adventure of her own. I related to Annie, who doesn't dare follow her dream of being a poet out of fear of failure and the unknown.
Although there was something about this book that didn't quite click for me, reading it was a good way to gain a different and more personal perspective of this point in history.
(Even though this isn't exactly 'modern' teen, I couldn't quite put it in my oldbooks-historicalfiction category.)
Chosen from over 11,000 applicants to be the first private citizen and school teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe is the inspiration of this story. It is her zest for life, her adventurous spirit and loving warmth that help Annie, the main character, break with her normal quiet routine and have an adventure of her own. I related to Annie, who doesn't dare follow her dream of being a poet out of fear of failure and the unknown.
Although there was something about this book that didn't quite click for me, reading it was a good way to gain a different and more personal perspective of this point in history.
(Even though this isn't exactly 'modern' teen, I couldn't quite put it in my oldbooks-historicalfiction category.)
February 26, 2012
7/10
I'm kind of in mourning over the fact that a story that takes place in the year I was born is considered historical fiction. Sigh. So sad.
But the book itself? Really pretty good. The beginning didn't grab me; in fact, the dialogue was so unoriginal, I could have written it myself. (I don't care if that's the way we humans talk, I want to read more than, "Hello." "Hi." "Yeah, all right." "Uh-huh." "Okay." "Sure. Sure." Maybe if I had been listening to it, it wouldn't have been so bad.)
And now you're thinking, didn't you just say the book was pretty good? Yes! And it was, I promise. By the second half, I was more deeply invested in the characters, and I liked them enough that the dialogue didn't bother me as much. Also, I knew very little about the Challenger disaster, and I was quite fascinated with it. The author did a nice job of making it a part of the story but not the story. It was still about Annie, her decisions, her dreams, etc.
I'm kind of in mourning over the fact that a story that takes place in the year I was born is considered historical fiction. Sigh. So sad.
But the book itself? Really pretty good. The beginning didn't grab me; in fact, the dialogue was so unoriginal, I could have written it myself. (I don't care if that's the way we humans talk, I want to read more than, "Hello." "Hi." "Yeah, all right." "Uh-huh." "Okay." "Sure. Sure." Maybe if I had been listening to it, it wouldn't have been so bad.)
And now you're thinking, didn't you just say the book was pretty good? Yes! And it was, I promise. By the second half, I was more deeply invested in the characters, and I liked them enough that the dialogue didn't bother me as much. Also, I knew very little about the Challenger disaster, and I was quite fascinated with it. The author did a nice job of making it a part of the story but not the story. It was still about Annie, her decisions, her dreams, etc.
May 21, 2012
3 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed this better than average coming of age story, which is set during the time of the Challenger shuttle disaster.
In her hometown of Clear Lake, Texas, Annie meets Christa, the teacher who has been chosen to go into space. Annie is so impressed and influenced by Christa that she convinces her father to take her to Florida to view the shuttle launch. Along the way she learns about herself and finds herself questioning the direction her life is heading. Will she decide to remain in Clear Lake with her safe and comfortable boyfriend Mark, or will she take a courageous leap and follow her heart?
This book had an engaging storyline, interesting characters, and just enough sappy romance to keep me happy. There were a few times when I felt that the writing was a little clunky (thus the 3 stars instead of 4), but overall this was a great read! This would be a great (and clean!) choice for teenage girls.
In her hometown of Clear Lake, Texas, Annie meets Christa, the teacher who has been chosen to go into space. Annie is so impressed and influenced by Christa that she convinces her father to take her to Florida to view the shuttle launch. Along the way she learns about herself and finds herself questioning the direction her life is heading. Will she decide to remain in Clear Lake with her safe and comfortable boyfriend Mark, or will she take a courageous leap and follow her heart?
This book had an engaging storyline, interesting characters, and just enough sappy romance to keep me happy. There were a few times when I felt that the writing was a little clunky (thus the 3 stars instead of 4), but overall this was a great read! This would be a great (and clean!) choice for teenage girls.
March 16, 2011
The are certain events where people can always tell you where they weere the moment it happened. And the Challenger explosion is one of those moments for me. I remember being in the library science building at Kutztown Univerxity with my fellow librarinas-to-be and watching in horror. Reading this book and reeading that particular scene made me realize how doubly horrifying it must have been to be there zo close watching the launch. I love how author JennyMoss showed how Christa Mcauliffe did touch lives and how teachers do everyday. Great book!
June 22, 2011
A well-written book that honors the memory of Space Shuttle Challeger teacher Christa McCauliffe and the other passengers on the doomed flight. The main character is likeable and portrayed like many teens that are nearing the end of high school and are unsure of the future. A look into the space program during the 80's without being overly technical.
Read more of my review by clicking the link below, where I write about Children's Fiction for Examiner.com.
http://www.examiner.com/fiction-in-sa...
Read more of my review by clicking the link below, where I write about Children's Fiction for Examiner.com.
http://www.examiner.com/fiction-in-sa...
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