Good Reads: The Girl Who Could Fly

Here is a trailer for the book:

 

-          Author:  Victoria Forester

-          Publisher:  Feiwel and Friends

-          Copyright:  2008

-          ISBN#:  0-312-37462-3

-          Genre:  Fiction

-          Current Library Location:  Southwest Amarillo Public Library

Summary:

            Piper McCloud is a farmer’s daughter who has the amazing ability to fly.  Once her secret is out, a government facility led by Dr. Hellion comes to take her in.  They tell her the facility is the only place she will be safe and understood.  Piper meets other children who are also able to do special things, such as telekinesis or x-ray vision.  She learns the facility is actually there to make everything that is abnormal or different normal.  The facility does this through a process of drugs and brainwashing.  Eventually, Piper and the other children revolt and take over the facility.  Piper returns home and tells her parents she no longer wants to hide her abilities.  Her parents have learned to accept her specialness, and Piper and the other children begin to live in the free world.

Personal Response:

            I like this book because of its representation of what being “different” means.  While there aren’t really people with x-ray vision or the ability to fly, there are people who are different everywhere.  In many cases, fear leads people to want to exterminate anyone who is different.  This book was a great example of how differences are misunderstood.  The children in the book with special abilities each talk of how they could use their talents to help the world.

Suggested Use in Classroom:

            I chose this book primarily because of its interesting way of bringing up the way we deal with people who are different.  I feel this book could lead to great discussions of current world events, past historical events, and how we behave day-to-day.