Leap of Faith

Abigail Aponte has always excelled at competitive diving, following her late mother's footsteps in the sport. When an athletic scholarship offers her a chance to attend a private boarding school in New Hampshire, she leaves her working-class Pennsylvania life behind to pursue her dreams. At Watford Academy, Abigail navigates a new social landscape among wealthy students while training with an elite diving program. Her relationship with her Catholic faith becomes complicated as she encounters different perspectives and begins questioning long-held beliefs. As pressure mounts in both academics and athletics, Abigail must confront questions about her identity, her future, and what she truly wants for herself. Her growing friendship with a Muslim student and conversations with her parish priest back home push her to examine her core values. Through Abigail's story, the novel explores themes of class differences, religious identity, and the challenge of maintaining authenticity while adapting to new environments. The narrative addresses how young people reconcile family traditions with personal growth.

Readers find this middle-grade novel handles complex themes of faith, family relationships, and questioning beliefs with nuance. Many note the respectful portrayal of both religious and non-religious perspectives. Readers appreciate: - The protagonist's authentic voice and internal struggles - Balanced treatment of organized religion without judgment - Strong family dynamics, especially between sisters - Realistic depiction of first love Common criticisms: - Some religious readers felt uncomfortable with the questioning of faith - A few found the pacing slow in the middle sections - Romance storyline felt underdeveloped to some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (3,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (200+ ratings) Reader quotes: "Handles difficult topics with care and grace" - Goodreads reviewer "My 12-year-old daughter and I both found it thought-provoking" - Amazon reviewer "The sister relationship felt real and complex" - Goodreads reviewer

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🌟 The author, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, drew from her own childhood experience of being sexually abused to write this novel, channeling her trauma into a story that could help other survivors. 🎭 Although the book deals with serious themes, it weaves in the protagonist's passion for theater and "The Sound of Music," creating moments of joy and hope throughout the narrative. 📚 Bradley is also known for her Newbery Honor book "The War That Saved My Life," which similarly tackles difficult subjects while remaining accessible to young readers. 🎬 The theatrical elements in the book, particularly the references to "The Sound of Music," serve as both an escape for the main character and a metaphor for finding one's voice and courage. 💫 The book's publication in 2022 coincided with an increased focus on addressing childhood trauma in middle-grade literature, making it part of an important movement in children's publishing.