Family

Over the course of the novel, the author uses Claire's first person teenage point of view to explore the importance of family during coming of age. In the early chapters of Falling Over Sideways, Claire is constantly frustrated by her mother, Nicole, father, David, and older brother, Matthew. While the author never suggests that Claire does not love them, she is feistier at home. Because she believes her family will always be there for her, she is not worried about showing her true emotions, particularly her temper, when she is with them. Her family allows her to be unguarded and real.

However, Claire's realness becomes dangerous when she loses control of her words, and begins lashing out more frequently at her family members. She is angry at her mother for her many rules. She is irritated with her brother for being so perfect at everything. She...