Book: To Catch a Falling Star
Author: Julie Wright
Publisher: Bonneville Books
Year: 2001
April hates New England, and misses Georgia and her father, both left behind after her mother decided to start a new life that included a divorce. All that makes New England bearable is Sara, popular, outgoing and adventurous. April can't figure out why Sara loves her and wants to be her best friend, but she is glad, because she has never known anyone like Sara before and the two develop a deep and loving friendship. Then the worlds of both girls are shattered when Sara is diagnosed with a cancer she can't conquer. After devastating mistakes and fear, Sara sets out to find out if God exists. She wants to know what will happen to her when she dies, and April, who doesn't know either, doesn't know how to help. Sara searches the Bible and meets with representatives of church after church. Somehow, none of them are meeting her needs. Something just isn't right.
When April comes to visit Sara in the hospital, she sees two young men in suits and name tags leaving the room. Sara tells her she has finally found God, and wants April to find Him too, but April doesn't know where to begin, because the nurse makes her leave and Sara dies before revealing her secret. April is left not sure herself that God is real.
April's life spins out of control when she refuses to confront her grief. She becomes involved with a dangerous crowd and dangerous hobbies. There are two positive influences in her life though: a young man from the Rocky Mountains named John, and the brother of her new and wild best friend. Sam is a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but he seems to think he's Jiminy Cricket. He is forever telling April what to do and how to live. April tries hard to tune him out. It's John she's interested in, and when her parents want to rescue her from her new and dangerous life, she "allows" them to send her Brigham Young University, where she will have positive influences--and John. She doesn't really intend to reform though, so she's a little surprised to discover that Sam and his voice of conscience will be going there too.
April soon learns there is going to be more to her college life than capturing her man. She must learn to cope with Sara's death and find out what Sara wanted her to know.
To Catch a Falling Star is a powerful story of grief, friendship, and love. April's desperate attempts to hide from God add depth to what is already a moving first novel. April is completely believable even though she hurtles from one persona to another as her pleasant life unravels at a terrifying speed. This book will have a strong emotional impact on teens and young adults who will find themselves yearning to hug April and help her through her trials.