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3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
Really easy read. I finished it in one sitting. I think this could have been a really good story had it not been so short. I feel like half the story was missing (character development, extended stories, less jumping around, etc.)
This book lacks character development, but that seems to make it almost more real. The focus is singular--one life-changing event that affects the four high school students who take turns as narrator. You don't get solid descriptions of what they look like or what their larger life goals are, but in a way that makes the characters more real--you are inside their minds, reading exactly what they think about their situation and how they feel without jarring cuts to explain things to the reader. While it may not translate as well to adult audiences (it's much more simple than, for example, the works of John Green), it is an excellent work for its intended demographic.
This is a fast read (seriously -- I read it in about 90 minutes when all was said and done) and a nice idea that was fairly well-executed.
Knowles treats us to the standard high school sex politics (boy sleeps around and he's pimp of the year, girl sleeps around and she's tramp of the century) as well as the age-old poor little rich girl who seeks the love her parents never give her in the arms of boys who believe that there is really such a thing as sex with no strings attached in a suburban high school. So those parts were a little too armchair psychology and cliche for my liking. There was absolutely nothing new on that front.
That said, though, I have to remind myself that this is for Young Adults, and I think of my students who haven't sat through Psych 101 yet ... and I can think of few books that demonstrate these ideas so well. So, while the story is not really revolutionary for me, I can see how this book could be quite earth-shakingly illuminating for some of my kids. In that vein, I really appreciate the fact that these are not simply teenagers who "forgot" to use a condom (like every other teenage pregnancy story EVER TO EXIST) ... but more a reminder of the fact that condoms are only 97% effective WHEN USED CORRECTLY (and that a lot of people DON'T use them properly at all). Nice job Knowles.
There is also a lot of very good, frank discussion on (but not limited to) the following topics: responsibility to oneself and one's family, friendship, integrity, denial, reproductive rights, family dynamics, innocence lost and alcohol use.
From a more literary perspective, I liked the use of multiple narrators (even if their voices were not quite distinct enough; I sometimes had to flip back to remind myself of which character was narrating the chapter) and there was a killer metaphor that involved an old toy car. Caleb was absolutely the most well-developed character and easily my favorite. I wish that Knowles hadn't used the whole playground as a metaphor for innocence shtick, but oh well. What's done is done.
Again -- not groundbreaking for an adult (but definitely worth reading), but a very solid and well-written novel for teens (mostly 8th-10th grade, I'd say).
Knowles treats us to the standard high school sex politics (boy sleeps around and he's pimp of the year, girl sleeps around and she's tramp of the century) as well as the age-old poor little rich girl who seeks the love her parents never give her in the arms of boys who believe that there is really such a thing as sex with no strings attached in a suburban high school. So those parts were a little too armchair psychology and cliche for my liking. There was absolutely nothing new on that front.
That said, though, I have to remind myself that this is for Young Adults, and I think of my students who haven't sat through Psych 101 yet ... and I can think of few books that demonstrate these ideas so well. So, while the story is not really revolutionary for me, I can see how this book could be quite earth-shakingly illuminating for some of my kids. In that vein, I really appreciate the fact that these are not simply teenagers who "forgot" to use a condom (like every other teenage pregnancy story EVER TO EXIST) ... but more a reminder of the fact that condoms are only 97% effective WHEN USED CORRECTLY (and that a lot of people DON'T use them properly at all). Nice job Knowles.
There is also a lot of very good, frank discussion on (but not limited to) the following topics: responsibility to oneself and one's family, friendship, integrity, denial, reproductive rights, family dynamics, innocence lost and alcohol use.
From a more literary perspective, I liked the use of multiple narrators (even if their voices were not quite distinct enough; I sometimes had to flip back to remind myself of which character was narrating the chapter) and there was a killer metaphor that involved an old toy car. Caleb was absolutely the most well-developed character and easily my favorite. I wish that Knowles hadn't used the whole playground as a metaphor for innocence shtick, but oh well. What's done is done.
Again -- not groundbreaking for an adult (but definitely worth reading), but a very solid and well-written novel for teens (mostly 8th-10th grade, I'd say).
This was an excellent novel from Knowles- It was deep, sophisticated, romantic, and realistic setting/idea. I enjoyed relating to the characters and how they dealt with this situation.
"Jumping Off Swings" was a very serious book. A girl in high school getting pregnant is not funny in any way possible. You see first hand what the reason behind misbehavior is for many children- a bad home life. More than one character had to deal with realistic stress and problems like this, which I prefer to unrealistic goal filled novels or fantastical events.
I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy realistic events and can take on a book with subtle humor and growing friendships through forced, unfair choices.
"Jumping Off Swings" was a very serious book. A girl in high school getting pregnant is not funny in any way possible. You see first hand what the reason behind misbehavior is for many children- a bad home life. More than one character had to deal with realistic stress and problems like this, which I prefer to unrealistic goal filled novels or fantastical events.
I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy realistic events and can take on a book with subtle humor and growing friendships through forced, unfair choices.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Re-read June 2025: I had this on my Libby “want to read” list so I checked it out before realizing I’d read it before! But that was back in 2015 and my memory hardly exists anymore so I didn’t remember the story and wanted to read it again. I’m so glad I did. Really quick, emotional, interesting read that reminded me to read more by Knowles!
Originally read May 2015: A great book about teenage pregnancy, and how it affects everyone around. Ellie gets pregnant by a one night stand with Josh, and their friends Corinne and Caleb are caught in the drama right along with them. It reminded me of Juno but without the jokes that keep you at arms’ length. It’s a very emotional book, beautifully written. Highly recommended.
Originally read May 2015: A great book about teenage pregnancy, and how it affects everyone around. Ellie gets pregnant by a one night stand with Josh, and their friends Corinne and Caleb are caught in the drama right along with them. It reminded me of Juno but without the jokes that keep you at arms’ length. It’s a very emotional book, beautifully written. Highly recommended.
I think this book is so great for middle and high school age. It takes the reader through the realistic turmoil of teen pregnancy and how it affects not just the young woman who gets pregnant but everyone around her.
I really wish that Ellie had grown stronger as a character throughout the novel - we get the scene in the abortion clinic but that’s about as “strong-willed” as she gets and reading the ending she seems to be the same person she was before having her baby. Josh seemed to have a pretty hopeless story as well by the end. I guess real life isn’t always this way but it would have been nice to have seen Josh and Ellie have at least a shared moment together where they both showed that they had matured/developed as characters. I also think the pacing got too quick towards the end and we were suddenly at the end. I still think it is worth it for younger readers and it helps to start the conversation!
I really wish that Ellie had grown stronger as a character throughout the novel - we get the scene in the abortion clinic but that’s about as “strong-willed” as she gets and reading the ending she seems to be the same person she was before having her baby. Josh seemed to have a pretty hopeless story as well by the end. I guess real life isn’t always this way but it would have been nice to have seen Josh and Ellie have at least a shared moment together where they both showed that they had matured/developed as characters. I also think the pacing got too quick towards the end and we were suddenly at the end. I still think it is worth it for younger readers and it helps to start the conversation!
I really enjoy Knowles' books, but I'm always left with the feeling that I wanted more from them; they end up feeling a little thin in the endings for me.
A powerful, honest book about teen pregnancy and its impact on both the boy and girl and their friends and family.
A great story, told from four different characters, in alternating chapters! This story shows how one event can change the lives of not only the people involved, but others in their lives. I enjoyed this book because of the strong emotional content. The author did a good job of making the characters and situations believable and understandable, causing the reader to be empathic.
well i read it bc ive had no power for 5 days now and needed something to read.. finished in one sitting