Falling Over Sideways Summary
Jordan Sonnenblick

Falling Over Sideways Overview

Jordan Sonnenblick's Falling Over Sideways tells the story of Claire Goldsmith's difficult eighth grade year. As if her frustrations with saxophone, dance, and her middle school social life were not enough, Claire's world crumbles even further when her father has a sudden stroke and loses his ability to talk and walk. Her father's sudden weakness causes Claire to lose her sense of control and stability. Over the course of the novel, Claire gradually learns not only how to overcome great difficulty with the help of her friends, but how to be strong for her dad. Sonnenblick tells a heartwarming coming-of-age story from his protagonist's honest first person voice, exploring the importance of friendship, family, and forgiveness.