Elisa Carbone - Jump

Jump

Elisa Carbone

Viking, May 13 2010, $16.99

ISBN: 9780670011858

After he tried and failed at suicide, Critter was locked away at a mental institution. However, he didn't hang around; long because he was able to escape from the asylum.

Over her objections, her parents plan to send P.K. to boarding school. She refuses to hang around so she runs away from home.

Critter and P.K. meet at a rock gym and recognize in each other a similar lost soul mentality. She invites him on a rock-climbing trip that he accepts. Both understand that their freedom sojourn will end once the authorities catch them or funds run out. As the pair begins to fall in love mounting one rock at a time, each finds a renewed lan for life.

Targeting middle school readers, this is a terrific tale of two teens on the run together staying one jump ahead of the authorities chasing after them. Critter and P.K. find a common bond with one another. Fast-paced with ultra short chapters that rotate perspective mostly between the lead pair, fans will root for the runaways who find each other on rocks and a dumpster, but can they sustain it when both has issues that cage them.

Harriet Klausner