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What Happened to Lani Garver: A Young Adult Mystery Novel About Shattered Friendship and Angels
The close-knit residents of Hackett Island have never seen anyone quite like Lani Garver. Everything about this new kid is a Where does Lani come from? How old is Lani? And most disturbing of all, is Lani a boy or a girl?
Claire McKenzie isn't up to tormenting Lani with the rest of the high school elite. Instead, she befriends the intriguing outcast. But within days of Lani's arrival, tragedy strikes and Claire must deal with shattered friendships and personal demons--and the possibility that angels may exist on earth.
Claire McKenzie isn't up to tormenting Lani with the rest of the high school elite. Instead, she befriends the intriguing outcast. But within days of Lani's arrival, tragedy strikes and Claire must deal with shattered friendships and personal demons--and the possibility that angels may exist on earth.
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2002
67 people are currently reading
4944 people want to read
About the author
Carol Plum-Ucci
12 books182 followersCarol Plum-Ucci is a young adult novelist and essayist. Plum-Ucci’s most famous work to date is The Body of Christopher Creed, for which she won a Michael L. Printz Award in 2002 and was named a finalist to the Edgar Allan Poe Award. Describing her subjects as "the most common, timeless, and most heart-felt teenagers," Plum-Ucci is widely recognized for her use of the South Jersey shore to set scenes for engaging characters embracing suspense themes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
April 8, 2012
An "issues" book to the extreme, there are quite a few valuable topics covered in this book. The title is a question that runs through the whole book, and while there is no definitive answer to the question, I couldn't help but read it as another typical Queer Kid Bites the Dust story that helps the main straight character become a Better Person.
What I'm the most angry about with this book, though, isn't really its fault. I went into a kids' bookstore asking for a book with a queer character, and this was the only one any of the clerks could think of. Which sucks, because the whole idealized angelic martyr queer/trans character isn't helpful to queer or trans readers looking for a reflection of themselves, especially as a side character. While I think the book can be useful for other readers, I wish it had not been the book presented to me the first time I gathered up the nerve to ask for something queer. Now I just picture the interaction like this:
Young Me: Can I has a gay?
Clerk: Sure, take this book. Someone like you gets murdered... mayyyybe.
Still, I'd recommend it for teens who like Sad Stories and teens looking for books with teenaged cancer survivors, but most definitely not for queer or trans teens looking for hope, inspiration, or self-reflection.
What I'm the most angry about with this book, though, isn't really its fault. I went into a kids' bookstore asking for a book with a queer character, and this was the only one any of the clerks could think of. Which sucks, because the whole idealized angelic martyr queer/trans character isn't helpful to queer or trans readers looking for a reflection of themselves, especially as a side character. While I think the book can be useful for other readers, I wish it had not been the book presented to me the first time I gathered up the nerve to ask for something queer. Now I just picture the interaction like this:
Young Me: Can I has a gay?
Clerk: Sure, take this book. Someone like you gets murdered... mayyyybe.
Still, I'd recommend it for teens who like Sad Stories and teens looking for books with teenaged cancer survivors, but most definitely not for queer or trans teens looking for hope, inspiration, or self-reflection.
October 20, 2008
This is one of my 13-yr-old daughter's favorite books and she wanted me to read it
What Happened to Lani Garver is a coming of age tale. Claire is 16, 5’10”, a cancer survivor who wants so much to fit in. Macy is Queen Bee of the local hive. The setting is Hackett, a vacation community on an island, a place where wealthy Philadelphians come to summer. The other local industry is fishing. Claire is just back from a long stint of health-care-induced home schooling when Lani Garver arrives in town. Lani is an androgynous teen of uncertain gender. However he (as we soon learn) has considerable personal power and wisdom. He is the only one in town able to see Claire for who she is, and the only one with the strength to help her on her personal journey.
Claire’s great fear is that her cancer will return. She has vivid, violent, disturbing dreams, and writes lyrics rich with images of razor blades and blood. She is a gifted guitarist as well.
The central mystery revolves around Lani. We know from the introduction that Lani comes to a very unfortunate end. The locals cannot tolerate any really different people. Tony, One of the guy-pack, the fishboys, comes on to Lani, then accuses Lani of coming on to him when he is discovered. Desperate to hide his orientation, this extreme risk-taking 18-year-old torments Lani to cover up his own secret. The end result is, maybe, Lani’s death. Claire attempts to intervene, and does a few times, but is unable ultimately to prevent the inevitable.
By the story's end Claire finds herself, with Lani’s help, and comes to see the locals for what they are, sees her parents more clearly as well, and finds true friendship with friends of Lani in Philadelphia.
One theme, stated several times, is that one must be able to throw away the past in order to move on to the future. There is nice imagery of fog in town, standing in for ignorance and bias.
It was a good book, not of particular note for those without a compelling interest. I would not have read it if not for my daughter. Still, it was a fast, enjoyable, interesting read.
What Happened to Lani Garver is a coming of age tale. Claire is 16, 5’10”, a cancer survivor who wants so much to fit in. Macy is Queen Bee of the local hive. The setting is Hackett, a vacation community on an island, a place where wealthy Philadelphians come to summer. The other local industry is fishing. Claire is just back from a long stint of health-care-induced home schooling when Lani Garver arrives in town. Lani is an androgynous teen of uncertain gender. However he (as we soon learn) has considerable personal power and wisdom. He is the only one in town able to see Claire for who she is, and the only one with the strength to help her on her personal journey.
Claire’s great fear is that her cancer will return. She has vivid, violent, disturbing dreams, and writes lyrics rich with images of razor blades and blood. She is a gifted guitarist as well.
The central mystery revolves around Lani. We know from the introduction that Lani comes to a very unfortunate end. The locals cannot tolerate any really different people. Tony, One of the guy-pack, the fishboys, comes on to Lani, then accuses Lani of coming on to him when he is discovered. Desperate to hide his orientation, this extreme risk-taking 18-year-old torments Lani to cover up his own secret. The end result is, maybe, Lani’s death. Claire attempts to intervene, and does a few times, but is unable ultimately to prevent the inevitable.
By the story's end Claire finds herself, with Lani’s help, and comes to see the locals for what they are, sees her parents more clearly as well, and finds true friendship with friends of Lani in Philadelphia.
One theme, stated several times, is that one must be able to throw away the past in order to move on to the future. There is nice imagery of fog in town, standing in for ignorance and bias.
It was a good book, not of particular note for those without a compelling interest. I would not have read it if not for my daughter. Still, it was a fast, enjoyable, interesting read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2009
What Happened to Lani Garver is about our desire to categorize people and our impulse to fear those we cannot define. The story is told from the perspective of Claire McKenzie, a popular cheerleader who lives with her mother on Hackett Island. Claire spent most of her Middle School years battling leukemia. She now battles violent nightmares, a possible eating disorder, and a fear that her leukemia has returned. Though all of these issues provide a backdrop to the story, the primary focus of the novel is on Claire's relationship with a mysterious new student--Lani Garver. Everything about Lani is mysterious. When asked if he is a girl he replies, “No, not a girl,” but he never fully admits to being a boy either. Nor does he reveal his age, religion, sexuality, or anything that could put him in a “box.” Although Lani could be described as a troubled teen who is victimized by the reckless and homophobic teenagers who are popular in the small fishing village, the author portrays him as a confident and complex character who exhibits wisdom far beyond his years. He shows compassion for the needy. He reads (and understands) Einstein, Jung, Freud, and Hegel. And his most treasured possession is a book on angels by the (fictional) first century philosopher Andovenes. Throughout the novel Claire even wonders if Lani is an angel, a question that is never fully answered.
Because of the themes and the philosophical issues in this book, I would probably only recommend it to older adolescents. I also think this would be a great LGBT book to share with open-minded Christians because it focuses on gender stereotypes and homophobia rather than a specific relationship. In fact, Lani is rather innocent when it comes to sexual matters and claims to have no interest in romantic relationships (one of the potential clues that he is an angel). Lani also makes frequent biblical references and believes in absolute truth. The novel references and challenges us to ponder Hebrews 13:2 which states, “Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Because of the themes and the philosophical issues in this book, I would probably only recommend it to older adolescents. I also think this would be a great LGBT book to share with open-minded Christians because it focuses on gender stereotypes and homophobia rather than a specific relationship. In fact, Lani is rather innocent when it comes to sexual matters and claims to have no interest in romantic relationships (one of the potential clues that he is an angel). Lani also makes frequent biblical references and believes in absolute truth. The novel references and challenges us to ponder Hebrews 13:2 which states, “Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
January 23, 2010
Lexile:720
Generally, I liked this one but would have to say it took a long time for it to get exciting. I'd say the best things about the book would be Lani's intelligence and insight.
Words of Wisdom:
"If you can understand human behavior, it can't hurt you nearly as much" (47).
"I could have winked or smiled or something just to be a jerk -- but what's the point? People create their own little hells. They don't need my help" (80).
"I would complain to my dad about finding new definitions to 'lonely' and 'feeling like crap'. He would tell me 'there are times in life to grow, and there are times in life to shine. One can't grow and shine at the same time; it just doesn't work that way. Now you're growing. Tomorrow you'll shine'" (84).
"Gotta pay your dues to sing the blues" (119).
"In much learning there is sadness...The world is all backward. Everyone who is considered really hot, really isn't. It's like... we're through the looking glass. Good is bad, bad is good. Black is white, white is black. People base their lives on convenient recollections and are considered sane. People who look too hard for truth are considered crazy. Did you know that most of the people in history whose books have lasted more than a few centuries have been either thrown into jail or murdered by angry mob? All the prophets, the great philosophers, the disciples, people like Joan of Arc, great novelists..." (157).
"Your neat little version of reality is crumbling, Claire... crumbled realities are secretly your victory. Your crumbled realities create paths to purer truth..." (292)
Generally, I liked this one but would have to say it took a long time for it to get exciting. I'd say the best things about the book would be Lani's intelligence and insight.
Words of Wisdom:
"If you can understand human behavior, it can't hurt you nearly as much" (47).
"I could have winked or smiled or something just to be a jerk -- but what's the point? People create their own little hells. They don't need my help" (80).
"I would complain to my dad about finding new definitions to 'lonely' and 'feeling like crap'. He would tell me 'there are times in life to grow, and there are times in life to shine. One can't grow and shine at the same time; it just doesn't work that way. Now you're growing. Tomorrow you'll shine'" (84).
"Gotta pay your dues to sing the blues" (119).
"In much learning there is sadness...The world is all backward. Everyone who is considered really hot, really isn't. It's like... we're through the looking glass. Good is bad, bad is good. Black is white, white is black. People base their lives on convenient recollections and are considered sane. People who look too hard for truth are considered crazy. Did you know that most of the people in history whose books have lasted more than a few centuries have been either thrown into jail or murdered by angry mob? All the prophets, the great philosophers, the disciples, people like Joan of Arc, great novelists..." (157).
"Your neat little version of reality is crumbling, Claire... crumbled realities are secretly your victory. Your crumbled realities create paths to purer truth..." (292)
April 15, 2010
I've always liked stories that could either be fantasy or realistic fiction with a character who is slightly confused. I felt like Plum-Ucci really kept me swaying between the thought that there must be something magical and supernatural going on, and then thinking that my narrator must be missing something, then that everyone ELSE in the story must be missing something--and I like that this feeling stays with me even after I've finished reading.
I read this because there were a lot of copies in the classroom and I saw a lot of students with it--students with their "reading faces" on. I found it to be very sophisticated for YA literature. There were a lot of shifts in the shades of emotion and consciousness.
As for the story itself, it's very thick for a book that takes place over just a few days. I like how the writing unraveled every moment.
The story is disturbing, but I feel like it helps the reader see the problems that come with blind judgment and prejudice.
I didn't think that Plum-Ucci would be able to keep me engaged until the end, since she shared the "end" of the story at the beginning, but--spoiler alert!--knowing the eventual end circumstances actually kept me riveted throughout. Still, the ending had surprises, even though I knew what was basically going to happen.
I read this because there were a lot of copies in the classroom and I saw a lot of students with it--students with their "reading faces" on. I found it to be very sophisticated for YA literature. There were a lot of shifts in the shades of emotion and consciousness.
As for the story itself, it's very thick for a book that takes place over just a few days. I like how the writing unraveled every moment.
The story is disturbing, but I feel like it helps the reader see the problems that come with blind judgment and prejudice.
I didn't think that Plum-Ucci would be able to keep me engaged until the end, since she shared the "end" of the story at the beginning, but--spoiler alert!--knowing the eventual end circumstances actually kept me riveted throughout. Still, the ending had surprises, even though I knew what was basically going to happen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2012
What Happened To Lani Garver By Carol Plum-Ucci
This book time the book takes place in is unknown but it is set in recent times, and it is set in the small town of Hackett Island.
Sixteen-year-old Claire is unable to face her fears about a recurrence of her leukemia, her eating disorder, her need to fit in with the popular crowd on Hackett Island, and her mother's alcoholism until the enigmatic Lani Garver helps her get control of her life at the risk of his own. Instead of enjoying her high school days, she's felt alienated from her classmates since leukemia kept her out of school in junior high. She knows that in the conformist world of Coast High, her bout with cancer marks her as different. Claire can blend in just fine, but behind the forced smiles and goofing off, she has bloody nightmares and writes "razor-blade" lyrics, struggling with just who she is. The last thing she needs in her life is Lani Garver. Lani is the new kid in town, tall and androgynous, a person who causes a stir as soon as he walks into the school cafeteria. The close-knit residents of Hackett Island have never seen anyone quite like Lani Garver. Everything about this new kid is a mystery: Where does Lani come from? How old is Lani? And most disturbing of all, is Lani a boy or a girl? And despite Claire's better sense, she finds herself drifting into a friendship with him. Lani has led the life of a wandering poet, drifting from city to city, befriending the poor and the disadvantaged, and the opportunities he offers her are more than just a vision of life beyond a provincial high school crowd. He knows she is troubled, and just like he's done for others, he guides her toward the help she needs. Claire's friends alternate between pleading and threatening to get her to break off the friendship, even convincing Claire's mother that Lani is a corrupting influence. Claire is forced to choose between conforming, and living the life she always thought she wanted, or doing what she wants and going down the path less traveled by.
What Happened to Lani Garver is an engrossing story that deals with a number of topical issues--gender identity, homosexuality, intolerance--within the narrow world of a small-town community. The presence of Lani in Claire’s life simply forces her conflicts to the surface. Lani himself is purposely ambiguous as a character, at times more of a metaphor than a real person, as befits his role of guardian angel, a caretaker of the downtrodden. I think this book should be included on a book list for recommended reading in high school. I think it would appeal to teenagers because of the topics discussed and covered throughout the novel. I believe it is appropriate for high school, but it requires a lot of maturity when reading to understand the topics and to comprehend the hidden parts. I would say it definitely has literary value, it is one of the best books i've read so far. Throughout the novel, I questioned the things Lani said and did and even his sexuality. Prejudice, homophobia, friendship, tolerance, individuality, and the possibility that something spiritually bigger than all of us rules this universe are wonderfully woven into this powerfully told story. I was hooked the entire time, interested to see how Lani reacts to certain situations and compared to how Claire would react. I think the theme of the book is that sometimes just going with society and forcing yourself to fit in is not always the best situation. You shouldn't have to fit in and it is okay to be an individual like Lani was. I really enjoyed reading this book, it was an eye-opener and I enjoyed all the twists and turns the book had to offer.
This book time the book takes place in is unknown but it is set in recent times, and it is set in the small town of Hackett Island.
Sixteen-year-old Claire is unable to face her fears about a recurrence of her leukemia, her eating disorder, her need to fit in with the popular crowd on Hackett Island, and her mother's alcoholism until the enigmatic Lani Garver helps her get control of her life at the risk of his own. Instead of enjoying her high school days, she's felt alienated from her classmates since leukemia kept her out of school in junior high. She knows that in the conformist world of Coast High, her bout with cancer marks her as different. Claire can blend in just fine, but behind the forced smiles and goofing off, she has bloody nightmares and writes "razor-blade" lyrics, struggling with just who she is. The last thing she needs in her life is Lani Garver. Lani is the new kid in town, tall and androgynous, a person who causes a stir as soon as he walks into the school cafeteria. The close-knit residents of Hackett Island have never seen anyone quite like Lani Garver. Everything about this new kid is a mystery: Where does Lani come from? How old is Lani? And most disturbing of all, is Lani a boy or a girl? And despite Claire's better sense, she finds herself drifting into a friendship with him. Lani has led the life of a wandering poet, drifting from city to city, befriending the poor and the disadvantaged, and the opportunities he offers her are more than just a vision of life beyond a provincial high school crowd. He knows she is troubled, and just like he's done for others, he guides her toward the help she needs. Claire's friends alternate between pleading and threatening to get her to break off the friendship, even convincing Claire's mother that Lani is a corrupting influence. Claire is forced to choose between conforming, and living the life she always thought she wanted, or doing what she wants and going down the path less traveled by.
What Happened to Lani Garver is an engrossing story that deals with a number of topical issues--gender identity, homosexuality, intolerance--within the narrow world of a small-town community. The presence of Lani in Claire’s life simply forces her conflicts to the surface. Lani himself is purposely ambiguous as a character, at times more of a metaphor than a real person, as befits his role of guardian angel, a caretaker of the downtrodden. I think this book should be included on a book list for recommended reading in high school. I think it would appeal to teenagers because of the topics discussed and covered throughout the novel. I believe it is appropriate for high school, but it requires a lot of maturity when reading to understand the topics and to comprehend the hidden parts. I would say it definitely has literary value, it is one of the best books i've read so far. Throughout the novel, I questioned the things Lani said and did and even his sexuality. Prejudice, homophobia, friendship, tolerance, individuality, and the possibility that something spiritually bigger than all of us rules this universe are wonderfully woven into this powerfully told story. I was hooked the entire time, interested to see how Lani reacts to certain situations and compared to how Claire would react. I think the theme of the book is that sometimes just going with society and forcing yourself to fit in is not always the best situation. You shouldn't have to fit in and it is okay to be an individual like Lani was. I really enjoyed reading this book, it was an eye-opener and I enjoyed all the twists and turns the book had to offer.
September 9, 2011
The book opens by telling you the main character is going to die.
You'd think that would prepare you for it. You'd be wrong.
On my copy, the last two chapters are literally tearstained. I had to stop reading it and put it away because the action became too heartwrenchingly intense. I didn't pick it up and finish it until six months later, and even with that pause, the intensity remained.
"What Happened to Lani Garver" is also notable for its realistic and sympathetic portrayal of queer, physically ill, mentally ill, and otherwise disadvantaged youth. It treats the cancer survivor narrator as an actual person rather than an inspiring moral figure. It shows that eating disorders are insidious things, not always immediately identifiable by skeletal figures and not always motivated by appearance.
tl;dr - This is a very, very good book.
You'd think that would prepare you for it. You'd be wrong.
On my copy, the last two chapters are literally tearstained. I had to stop reading it and put it away because the action became too heartwrenchingly intense. I didn't pick it up and finish it until six months later, and even with that pause, the intensity remained.
"What Happened to Lani Garver" is also notable for its realistic and sympathetic portrayal of queer, physically ill, mentally ill, and otherwise disadvantaged youth. It treats the cancer survivor narrator as an actual person rather than an inspiring moral figure. It shows that eating disorders are insidious things, not always immediately identifiable by skeletal figures and not always motivated by appearance.
tl;dr - This is a very, very good book.
January 27, 2015
I loved this book. I've owned it multiple times, often giving the copy to someone to read and simply buying myself a new one. I even accidentally left a copy of it in a hotel in France when I was 14. I want to read it again, soon. I'll have to buy yet another copy because my last one was lost in the hurricane, but I don't mind. I really have enjoyed it each time I've read it anew.
Also, the author grew up in my own hometown.
Also, the author grew up in my own hometown.
September 26, 2008
Seriously, all I can say about this book is OH......MY...........God! it was insanely amazing and the story behind it was a beautiful thing. It is inspiring and written really greatly. I loved it! everyone must read it!!!!
June 15, 2012
First book that actually made me cry to be honest...
March 19, 2017
This was not what I expected and surprisingly good. Playing on the perceptions of the characters and the reader the author leaves clues in the narrative to just who Lani Garver may really be. But at the same time uses the narrative to cast doubt on the readers own theories by offering alternative evidence that takes the reader over a constantly changing and well thought through story. Well written and using accessible concepts and language this is a really thoughtful and well told story. A really enjoyable read.
January 10, 2012
What happened to Lani Garver is a really good book about a cancer survivor and a really bad book about a gender variant individual. I will give this book the highest praise I possible can, I didn't write yesterday because I was so wrapped up in finishing this book.
First the good part. The main character, Claire missed a year and half of junior high because she was battling Leukemia. She's in remission and back on Hackett Island for high school. She hopes to put the past behind her and just be a normal kids. There's two small problems with this idea. First off she's got a huge pile of emotional issues she hasn't dealt with. Secondly the kids she is trying to fit in with are way to innocent and naive, and not in a good way.
The crowd that Claire is running with aren't a cute cuddly sort of innocent. They are dangerously reckless and selfish sort of innocent. Her cheerleading friends are mean and selfish and attention seeking. They all want to get with the boys of the "fish frat". The fish frat are sons of the local fishermen. During the tourist seasons they work as lifeguards. They are all big hunky brutes who drink too much and play dangerous macho games of chicken.
There is a legend on Hackett sound that if an Indian Summer falls in November it will mean a curse. Claire doesn't believe that but this particular Indian Summer she is getting dizzy and fears the cancer is back.
Into this walks Lani Garver. Lani Garver is so ambiguous that at first no one at school is even sure if he's a boy or a girl. Lani won't help them out much either. He claims to hate boxes, including boxes like boy/girl gay/straight.
Claire starts out trying to be nice to Lani. The tables are quickly turned and it is Lani who must be nice, and help Claire. He helps her sneak away to Philidephia to be tested at a free clinic for cancer, so her parent's don't find out. The more she learns about this mysterious run away, the more questions it raises. A strange conversation with a medic at the clinic about how angels have no gender leaves her wondering if Lani is even human.
To the rest of Hackett Island, and to her old friends in fish frat, the question of Lani is easily answered. He is an effeminate gay boy. As a closet homophobe ramps up the gay bashing, Claire watches in horror as her 'friends' choose the convenient answer (that he brings it on himself) over the truth.
It's a wonderfully written book that really sucks you in. It is powerful and moving. For Claire it is a story of hope and healing, for Lani it is a brutal reminder of just how hard it can be to be different in our society. Overall I would say it's a great book and should be read in every high school. Maybe the world would become a better place.
First the good part. The main character, Claire missed a year and half of junior high because she was battling Leukemia. She's in remission and back on Hackett Island for high school. She hopes to put the past behind her and just be a normal kids. There's two small problems with this idea. First off she's got a huge pile of emotional issues she hasn't dealt with. Secondly the kids she is trying to fit in with are way to innocent and naive, and not in a good way.
The crowd that Claire is running with aren't a cute cuddly sort of innocent. They are dangerously reckless and selfish sort of innocent. Her cheerleading friends are mean and selfish and attention seeking. They all want to get with the boys of the "fish frat". The fish frat are sons of the local fishermen. During the tourist seasons they work as lifeguards. They are all big hunky brutes who drink too much and play dangerous macho games of chicken.
There is a legend on Hackett sound that if an Indian Summer falls in November it will mean a curse. Claire doesn't believe that but this particular Indian Summer she is getting dizzy and fears the cancer is back.
Into this walks Lani Garver. Lani Garver is so ambiguous that at first no one at school is even sure if he's a boy or a girl. Lani won't help them out much either. He claims to hate boxes, including boxes like boy/girl gay/straight.
Claire starts out trying to be nice to Lani. The tables are quickly turned and it is Lani who must be nice, and help Claire. He helps her sneak away to Philidephia to be tested at a free clinic for cancer, so her parent's don't find out. The more she learns about this mysterious run away, the more questions it raises. A strange conversation with a medic at the clinic about how angels have no gender leaves her wondering if Lani is even human.
To the rest of Hackett Island, and to her old friends in fish frat, the question of Lani is easily answered. He is an effeminate gay boy. As a closet homophobe ramps up the gay bashing, Claire watches in horror as her 'friends' choose the convenient answer (that he brings it on himself) over the truth.
It's a wonderfully written book that really sucks you in. It is powerful and moving. For Claire it is a story of hope and healing, for Lani it is a brutal reminder of just how hard it can be to be different in our society. Overall I would say it's a great book and should be read in every high school. Maybe the world would become a better place.
April 21, 2009
In What Happened to Lani Garver Claire is a tall, popular cheerleader whose life seems “perfect” to her friends, but in reality, her life is really messed up. She has just returned to her high school after going through chemotherapy for leukemia and has bloody nightmares. Her parents are divorced and her mother is an alcoholic. She is constantly around the wrong people and has an eating disorder. Then, one day, there is a new kid in her extremely small high school. The kid’s name is Lani Garver; the only problem is no one knows if this kid is a guy or a girl. When Macy, Claire’s best friend, asks him about his gender he only says he is not a girl. As the story progresses, Claire and Lani become great friends and he helps her with her problems. Claire’s friends don’t like the fact the she is hanging out with a “gay” guy, and things start to get violent. Claire is emotionally torn between everything and everyone, until one night the violence goes too far. Read it to find out what happened to Lani and Claire and how violent people can really be.
This book is the best book I have ever read. The author made it seem so realistic and you were able to relate it to your own life. It taught me a lot of lessons and made my emotions run wild. I loved how you watched Claire evolve from such a careless, shallow girl into a responsible, mature adult. The book told the truth about a lot of ugly things we turn away from, and I’ll never forget what happened to Lani Garver. He saved Claire’s life and forever changed mine.
Did it meet my expectations? To put it lightly, it blew my expectations throw the roof! I never thought a book like this could be so amazing! I thought when I randomly picked it up that it would be boring. I had nothing else to do, however, so I gave it a shot. I am so glad I did, this book was full of events that happen every day, yet it was told amazingly. It was very interesting and I never got bored of it. I’m so glad I read it.
My favorite part was at the end, when Claire finally got over all her problems and fears. I loved how she started to follow her dream of becoming a guitarist and how she took the picture of Lani. I can’t explain this part to much, because it would give away the book.
I decided to read it because I knew I had nothing else to do. As I stated before, I thought it looked boring, but was going to try it anyways. I knew the drive to Florida would be long, so I needed a lot of books and this book caught my eye at last minute. I needed one more book and was out of time to look. I borrowed it, not thinking it would amount to anything, but I was completely and utterly wrong.
This book is the best book I have ever read. The author made it seem so realistic and you were able to relate it to your own life. It taught me a lot of lessons and made my emotions run wild. I loved how you watched Claire evolve from such a careless, shallow girl into a responsible, mature adult. The book told the truth about a lot of ugly things we turn away from, and I’ll never forget what happened to Lani Garver. He saved Claire’s life and forever changed mine.
Did it meet my expectations? To put it lightly, it blew my expectations throw the roof! I never thought a book like this could be so amazing! I thought when I randomly picked it up that it would be boring. I had nothing else to do, however, so I gave it a shot. I am so glad I did, this book was full of events that happen every day, yet it was told amazingly. It was very interesting and I never got bored of it. I’m so glad I read it.
My favorite part was at the end, when Claire finally got over all her problems and fears. I loved how she started to follow her dream of becoming a guitarist and how she took the picture of Lani. I can’t explain this part to much, because it would give away the book.
I decided to read it because I knew I had nothing else to do. As I stated before, I thought it looked boring, but was going to try it anyways. I knew the drive to Florida would be long, so I needed a lot of books and this book caught my eye at last minute. I needed one more book and was out of time to look. I borrowed it, not thinking it would amount to anything, but I was completely and utterly wrong.
July 10, 2016
The publication date here speaks volumes. What Happened to Lani Garver was first published in 2002—far enough back that the idea of people being gender-non-conforming really wasn't on most people's radar; far enough back that this would have felt considerably more boundary-pushing then.
And there's a lot going on here. In addition to questions about Lani's gender/presentation/identity, Claire—the narrator—has a constant concern that her cancer might be coming back, she has her own identity to figure out, and she has a growing struggle with food. She has a small-minded boyfriend and a crew of cruel-minded friends. The elements weave well together, but at their core is Lani. Who is Lani? And what, if anything, does Lani's identity mean to who Claire is?
I'm not entirely sure what to think about this. I didn't particularly like Claire (too much willful ignorance), and I didn't particularly like Lani (too sainted), and at this point I think there are really much better options out there in terms of books with gender-non-conforming (especially non-binary) characters. That said, I have to appreciate this for being on the earlier end of this sort of thing, and for making it about a lot more than Lani's gender.
And there's a lot going on here. In addition to questions about Lani's gender/presentation/identity, Claire—the narrator—has a constant concern that her cancer might be coming back, she has her own identity to figure out, and she has a growing struggle with food. She has a small-minded boyfriend and a crew of cruel-minded friends. The elements weave well together, but at their core is Lani. Who is Lani? And what, if anything, does Lani's identity mean to who Claire is?
I'm not entirely sure what to think about this. I didn't particularly like Claire (too much willful ignorance), and I didn't particularly like Lani (too sainted), and at this point I think there are really much better options out there in terms of books with gender-non-conforming (especially non-binary) characters. That said, I have to appreciate this for being on the earlier end of this sort of thing, and for making it about a lot more than Lani's gender.
November 16, 2011
Honestly, the novel started off slow dealing with typical teen girl drama, but after Claire meets Lani Garver and is introduced to a world bigger than her Hackett Island cliques, the story takes off. The high school is puzzled by Lani’s gender identity, but what’s more puzzling for Claire is whether Lani could really be an angel or not. This novel busts down the doors of so many issues (bullying, sexuality, drinking problems, eating disorders, etc.) that are relevant with today’s teens. Lani’s outlook on life and constant reminder to both Claire and the reader not to place him/her in “boxes” is refreshing yet challenging. Although most of the characters are immature and judgmental, I found myself wondering the same things as them – is Lani a boy or girl? Straight or gay? Young or old? Angel or human? Yet by the end of the novel, none of these answers mattered. Instead, I was left hanging on the edge of my seat waiting to see the dramatic events play out for both Claire and Lani.
August 7, 2016
This was a pretty powerful book. It was raw and emotional.
This book was violent and dealt with some pretty heavy topics like childhood cancer, dysfunctional families, and bullying.
I loved the fact that Lani was non-binary with an undisclosed sexuality. Were they an angel or simply human? That is all up to you, the reader, to decide.
This book was violent and dealt with some pretty heavy topics like childhood cancer, dysfunctional families, and bullying.
I loved the fact that Lani was non-binary with an undisclosed sexuality. Were they an angel or simply human? That is all up to you, the reader, to decide.
August 7, 2020
So the funny thing is, I started reading this and after about 50 pages, I realized I think I read this back around the time this came out when I was a young teen. Y’all ever do that? Accidentally re-read something?
Anyway, I think when this came out in ~2004, it would’ve been a controversial or a topical book. The main plot is that a new kid moves to town and he doesn’t really conform to typical gender binaries, and gets extremely bullied for it. This is all told through the narration of a girl named Claire, who is dealing with a ton of mental health issues and is kind of a not-so-great friend.
I just think that it seems very dated, and that all the characters are extreme caricatures of themselves. You have a very naive and clueless MC, closeted homophobic jocks who bully anyone who is different, and the token gay kid who exists only to be bashed the whole time, yet also is wise beyond his years and is some mysterious enigma of a person (who might actually be an angel sent to teach the MC a lesson????).
Was this good when it came out? Yeah probably, and I think teenage me would’ve loved it. But 15 years have passed and better books with similar themes have been written in that time.
CW: sexual assault, eating disorder, bullying, murder and suicide. Also very dated sayings and phrases with use of derogatory words like r*tarded, f*ggot
Anyway, I think when this came out in ~2004, it would’ve been a controversial or a topical book. The main plot is that a new kid moves to town and he doesn’t really conform to typical gender binaries, and gets extremely bullied for it. This is all told through the narration of a girl named Claire, who is dealing with a ton of mental health issues and is kind of a not-so-great friend.
I just think that it seems very dated, and that all the characters are extreme caricatures of themselves. You have a very naive and clueless MC, closeted homophobic jocks who bully anyone who is different, and the token gay kid who exists only to be bashed the whole time, yet also is wise beyond his years and is some mysterious enigma of a person (who might actually be an angel sent to teach the MC a lesson????).
Was this good when it came out? Yeah probably, and I think teenage me would’ve loved it. But 15 years have passed and better books with similar themes have been written in that time.
CW: sexual assault, eating disorder, bullying, murder and suicide. Also very dated sayings and phrases with use of derogatory words like r*tarded, f*ggot
April 4, 2023
Rompen un jarrón y lo recomponen usando pegamento. Es bonito y triste.
May 9, 2023
really weird. got lost a couple times
January 25, 2016
As I have been out as genderfluid and nonbinary for a while now, I've been reflecting on if my family was aware of my gender or not before I came out. When I was in high school, my mother gave me a book called What Happened to Lani Garver. This book had a character who was one of the only examples of nonbinary people I had ever been allowed to see before. I know my abusive mother sometimes sounds like a caricature of evil sometimes, but I shit you not, this book was about a cis girl growing close romantically to a nonbinary character (Lani Garver), before the school bullies drown them in a lake. The cis main character watches the whole thing happen, and the bullies leave the body at the bottom of the lake. No one is caught or faces consequences for murdering an LGBT+ teen, and everyone moves on, having completely forgotten about Lani Garver.
I have literally never read something quite as toxic as this carefully selected queerbaiting, transphobic, cisnormative piece of fear-based propaganda. As my abusive mother very carefully controlled all of the media we were exposed to, and said she specifically picked out this book for me, I believe it was intended as a not-so subtle threat that gender nonconforming kids get murdered and no justice. Yes, I do believe my mother knew I was nonbinary and genderfluid. Absolutely.
I have literally never read something quite as toxic as this carefully selected queerbaiting, transphobic, cisnormative piece of fear-based propaganda. As my abusive mother very carefully controlled all of the media we were exposed to, and said she specifically picked out this book for me, I believe it was intended as a not-so subtle threat that gender nonconforming kids get murdered and no justice. Yes, I do believe my mother knew I was nonbinary and genderfluid. Absolutely.
September 1, 2015
I really liked this book, though parts of it (basically 26-end) were difficult for me to read (though, the final chapter was better). I'm not sure I actually breathed until I got to the last four or five pages.
The language is beautiful, and it definitely makes you think about what is real and important in life...as well as how you treat and interact with other people. The main character's voice is whiny, but then, it's first person limited, so the writing is definitely in-character. My only major problem with it is that the ending is a bit too tidy; while I like learning a lot about what happens "after the end," everything just seemed too wrapped-up and perfect for my tastes.
I'd recommend this to teachers of 9th graders to use in their curriculum, since the issues brought up (homophobia, hate crimes, the quest for popularity, and the fine line between being a follower and being yourself) are particularly relevant with kids coming from middle school and into high school. There could be some issues with the language, but the ideas are so important that I'm sure there would be a way to convince a school board (or an angry parent) that the book is more than worthwhile.
4/5 on here, 9/10 for myself
The language is beautiful, and it definitely makes you think about what is real and important in life...as well as how you treat and interact with other people. The main character's voice is whiny, but then, it's first person limited, so the writing is definitely in-character. My only major problem with it is that the ending is a bit too tidy; while I like learning a lot about what happens "after the end," everything just seemed too wrapped-up and perfect for my tastes.
I'd recommend this to teachers of 9th graders to use in their curriculum, since the issues brought up (homophobia, hate crimes, the quest for popularity, and the fine line between being a follower and being yourself) are particularly relevant with kids coming from middle school and into high school. There could be some issues with the language, but the ideas are so important that I'm sure there would be a way to convince a school board (or an angry parent) that the book is more than worthwhile.
4/5 on here, 9/10 for myself
Read
May 26, 2008What would happen if an angel walked on the earth today? Angels are supposed to be androgynous (neither male nor female) so would they not be considered gay? That is the premise for this beautiful novel. The story centers around Claire, who has known plenty of suffering in her 16 years, but now believes she is happy. But then Lani Garver arrives, and shakes the small town of Hackett Island to its core. In a place where people who are different are not welcomed, Lani is just that. No one can tell if he is a girl or a boy. Everyone treats him with distrust from the start. Everyone, that is, except Claire. She befriends the strange newcomer, and he opens her eyes to the world, letting her see everything in a new light. Her friends, however, do not approve of the friendship, and their distrust soon turns to hate, which grows until one night, it overflows. With Lani gone, Claire is left to wonder just what Lani was. A nice gay kid, or maybe something more… Absolutely amazing book.
August 27, 2012
One of the best LGBTQ youth books I've read, aside from RAGE. The story starts off a bit slow but picks up quickly once Lani appears in Clair's life.
clair's this simple girl who recovered from cancer and believed she should always be nice to people no matter what. Her best friend macy is a big time gossiper and everybody believes what ever comes out her mouth. Once lani comes into the picture he immediatley stands out for the simple fact no one can tell if he's a girl or a boy.
Clair and Lani becomes real close, but the closer they got the more trouble they got into. Clair went through a whole mental breakdown to actually find herself and see the people around her for who they really are.This book completely had me hooked to find out what will happen next. There's a lot of things Lani says that actually makes me think to myself and i think that's the best apart about this book.
clair's this simple girl who recovered from cancer and believed she should always be nice to people no matter what. Her best friend macy is a big time gossiper and everybody believes what ever comes out her mouth. Once lani comes into the picture he immediatley stands out for the simple fact no one can tell if he's a girl or a boy.
Clair and Lani becomes real close, but the closer they got the more trouble they got into. Clair went through a whole mental breakdown to actually find herself and see the people around her for who they really are.This book completely had me hooked to find out what will happen next. There's a lot of things Lani says that actually makes me think to myself and i think that's the best apart about this book.
December 21, 2007
When new kid Lani Garver comes to rural Hackett Island, no one knows what to think of him (her?). Is Lani a boy or a girl. Is Lani homosexual? Not being able to put him(?) into a neat little box is something that many of Hackett Island's residents find threatening.
Claire, who is in remission after a struggle with cancer, has finally been included in a popular group of friends, but she never really feels like she belongs in the "in-crowd." When Lani comes to town, they become close friends. With Lani's help, Claire begins to face her demons and learns to be true to herself. Unfortunately, her friends don't approve of Lani - or the new Claire.
The story is suspenseful; especially near the end, I found myself reading faster to find out just what did happen to Lani. Though not all that graphic, the story does deal with mature issues.
Claire, who is in remission after a struggle with cancer, has finally been included in a popular group of friends, but she never really feels like she belongs in the "in-crowd." When Lani comes to town, they become close friends. With Lani's help, Claire begins to face her demons and learns to be true to herself. Unfortunately, her friends don't approve of Lani - or the new Claire.
The story is suspenseful; especially near the end, I found myself reading faster to find out just what did happen to Lani. Though not all that graphic, the story does deal with mature issues.
December 19, 2011
This book was one of the most inspiring I've ever read. Claire and Lani are both searching for acceptance, and they are some of the most entirely human characters I've ever read about. They're not idealized at all, but manage to be completely awe-inspiring anyways. The way Lani deals with the troubles in his life so gracefully, but can't stop fighting back. He's so wise, but he still makes mistakes because he's vulnerable. His view of humanity is just essentially beautiful. And Claire, Claire is gorgeously written. The issues in the book are hidden, which just elevates the level of mystery surrounding the characters. The only one who seems to be able to see things clearly is Lani. The characters are so identifiable, so tangible. It seems like this book is the finished work of a lifetime, but hopefully Carol Plum-Ucci has still more great things to come. I hope I get to read more by her.
June 14, 2024
I think if I reread this now, I'd have a lot more trouble with it. At 14, the notion of a main character who is androgynous/ genderqueer had a huge effect on me, even with the admittedly problematic elements such as the mystical/magical (possibly) androgyne.
Years later, I still remember the friendship in this book and the issues it addressed including homophobia, mental illness, violence etc as formative and inspiring and I think that's more important than it still being 100 percent PC years later.
Years later, I still remember the friendship in this book and the issues it addressed including homophobia, mental illness, violence etc as formative and inspiring and I think that's more important than it still being 100 percent PC years later.
April 2, 2020
Love this author! An absolutely awesome and magical book about 16-year-old Claire, who's desperately trying to make up for lost time after spending junior high dealing with leukemia, and now just want to be "normal", and popular and a cheer-leader. An eating disorder mimics a remission, sending her into a panic. She befriends Lani, a very unusual kid who appears at school. Nobody's too sure if he's a boy (he says he's not a girl), or if he's gay, or if, as Claire starts to believe, he's an angel.
Loved it!
Loved it!
January 20, 2008
Plum-Ucci is a wonderful novelist period. She happens to write for young adults (and lucky grown-ups).
April 5, 2010
This is such a haunting book. I was to tears when I finished reading it for the first time. Such a powerful book. I really wish there was a sequel or something.
I loved Lani!
I loved Lani!
February 17, 2024
This book was a formative one from my childhood and will hold a special place in my heart forever.
Playlist:
Don't Fence Me In by Amyl and the Sniffers
Playlist:
Don't Fence Me In by Amyl and the Sniffers
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