Dangling

by Lillian Eige

While sitting on the side of the river with his friend's parents and grandmother, Ben watches Ring go into the water, but when he doesn't emerge and days pass with no discovery, Ben wonders if his friend truly did drown or if Ring had other plans in mind.

Genres: Young Adult

176 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2001

Reviews

[Mauoijenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh my goodness where do I begin?! At first I was kind of like where did the kid go? Then it bounced real quick in the past. It was like a sad quick tennis match. I think it could have been better with out all the flashbacks. That's why they have prologue's at the begining to explain before hand.

[Anneliese H · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book Dangling, by Lillian Eige, is a book about a boy named Ben who loses his best friend Ring, who has a somewhat mysterious past. Ring was from a boys home but snuck into his parents car (they adopted him in the end), and when they found him they decided to keep it a secret and move somewhere to hide him. One day Ring, Ben, and both of their parents are all at a picnic when Ring walks into the river and disappears. Everyone suspects he drowned, but in the end he is found.

The author uses flashbacks, but I didn’t realize it was a flashback until I read a little more into the book. The author goes back and forth with flashbacks a lot in the book. I kind of liked the strange twist the author added, which was that Ring’s reckless old friend Fox, was actually Ring.

The amount of flashbacks made the book difficult to read. I would recommend this book because I liked the concept of it, but it was kind of confusing to me. The ending was pretty predictable, Ring is found and is adopted, they all live happily ever after. I think it was kind of odd that their houses windows were just simply painted on, but cool at the same time. So in the long run, it was a decent book, no real age limit, more of a kids book, but I would recommend.

[Laurie Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️

[Jacob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dangling by Lillian Eige is about a eleven year old boy named Ben and his best friend Ring. Ben and Ring and their families were playing and swimming in a river, laughing and having a good time when they noticed Ring wasn't there. Everyone had seen Ring floating down the river but then he was gone from their sight. Everyone thought something very bad had happened to Ring. Day after day Ben waits for his friend to show up hoping he hadn't drowned. Ben spends his time thinking about memories he had with his best friend. Six weeks later Ring is found. The question is, what happened, where'd he go and why?

My personal opinion about this book is that it's an okay book. I found this book slow and kind of boring towards the end. This book tells the story of a boy's best friend who runs away then they reunite.

I would recommend this book to people who like slow moving books and are into books by Lillian Eige. I would also recommend this book to kids who want to begin reading larger books and who like emotional stories.

[Alexis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seemed to carry a very interesting mystery about it when the protagonist's best friend disappears into the lake during a summer picnic. However, by the end of the story you wonder why you spent the time reading bc the ending is such a let down. It is not nearly as mysterious as was first thought to be.

[Aileen Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I had a difficult time getting into this book because of the flashback way in which it was written, but after a few chapters, I couldn't seem to put the book down. Dangling is a well crafted story about friendship, family, and wanting to belong. The characters show, that family is not necessarily who or what you are born into but can be who or what you choose.

[Steve Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

While less of a thrilling mystery than it appears at first glance, the narrator and his friend Ring are well developed characters that turn out to be pleasantly sympathetic in the end. The book can get confusing at times, and those looking for a steady stream of action will likely find it frustrating. In the end it is a simple but fairly moving tale of a lost boy who only wanted to find a home.

[CLM · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read a very positive review of this book so hunted it down but just found it sad. The central character is an odd and very sensitive little boy, yearning for a friend, and hiding a secret about his background and that of his eccentric parents.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in our Landeen library some time ago, so the details are a little sketchy to me. The one thing I remember is that it had a twist to it that I never saw coming. I found the plot refreshingly unique.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was really strange. it started off completely mysterious and enigmatic...and then it kind of lost that as the ending drew near. i find that happens a lot when it comes to books and movies. the foreplay is always more thrilling than the climax.

[Katie Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept my interest, but like the narrator, I felt unease throughout it. The story was jangled. Each chapter slipped into a flashback, but was written in the present tense. However, the story line and the main character, Ring, made the style of writing seem utterly suited.

[Quanah Tonihka · Rating 5 out of 5]

i like this book because how he loses his friend in the river. Also how he has the flash back to when he was there with him. Also i like ring personalty cause at his home he doesn't have real picture or windows they paint on there walls like windows.

[Doug-jen]

Enjoyable afternoon read. I enjoyed the characters and appreciate the difficult situation of Ring and the foster care system being available for middle grades to discuss.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun characters. Quick read.