Came Back to Show You I Could Fly

During a tense custody dispute, eleven-year-old Seymour is sent to stay with his mother's acquaintance Thelma for the summer holidays. Confined to the house due to fears his father might find him, he spends his days in isolation until he ventures out against the rules. A chance encounter leads Seymour to meet Angie, a charismatic twenty-year-old woman who brings excitement and friendship into his restricted world. Their unlikely bond grows through shared adventures and outings, even as Seymour begins to notice concerning signs about Angie's lifestyle and behavior. The novel explores complex themes of innocence versus experience, and the ways people can impact each other's lives despite their differences. Through the lens of an unconventional friendship, it examines how connection and understanding can emerge in unexpected circumstances.

Readers connect with the authentic portrayal of friendship between an isolated 11-year-old boy and a troubled young woman. The relationship develops naturally and avoids common YA tropes. Readers appreciated: - Complex handling of addiction and recovery - Natural dialogue and character development - Realistic depiction of 1980s Australian suburban life - Age-appropriate treatment of mature themes Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in early chapters - Some found the ending abrupt - Secondary characters lack depth Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (limited reviews) Reader quotes: "Captures the uncertainty of being young and finding your place" - Goodreads reviewer "The friendship feels genuine rather than forced" - Amazon review "Klein doesn't talk down to young readers" - Goodreads reviewer The book won Australia's Children's Book of the Year Award in 1990.

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★ The novel won the 1990 Human Rights Award for Literature and was adapted into a film titled "Say a Little Prayer" in 1993. ★ Author Robin Klein began her writing career at age 16, publishing poems in the Australian Women's Weekly, and has since written over 40 books. ★ The book's portrayal of substance abuse issues was groundbreaking for Australian young adult literature in the late 1980s, as these themes were rarely addressed in children's literature at the time. ★ The story draws inspiration from Klein's experiences growing up in Lockhart, New South Wales, though she sets the narrative in suburban Melbourne. ★ The novel's title comes from a Minnie Riperton song, referencing the theme of redemption that runs throughout the narrative.