Written by Eleri age 13
This book was pure amazement. It was kind of like a cookie, you take a bite and then you just can't stop eating it. I have never been so addicted to a book than I was to Bounce. I read about 100 pages each day.
Bounce was a mix of creativity, wonder, comedy, and the love of family. Frannie is a spunky, positive, and fun twelve year old in seventh grade. She feels like her family doesn't appreciate her, and when her parents announce a Christmas trip to Hawaii, she is so disappointed and angry. She has to stay home with her brother that barely speaks, and her sister that seemed to hate her. The first night home alone, Christmas Eve, Frannie flops down onto her bed in frustration and discovers a different world.
She wakes up in the body of a girl named Dakota with an amazing family and a puppy and a Christmas tree with gifts stuffed under it. She has horses and lives in a beautiful, cozy log cabin. Frannie has to overcome the fear of riding a horse, and ends up loving the experience. Next, that night, she finds herself in the body of her sister Carmen's favorite singer whose name is Jasmine. She has to overcome the glory and fame and stage fright, and learn how to sing on stage and do an interview. But they come just as easily as riding a hose. She has a good friend too that is always there for her and is very kind. Next she finds herself in the body of a girl named Blue who is on a ship with her family and she meets a cute boy. After all of those bounces, she finally finds herself in uncomftorable conditions. First, she is in the body of a girl named Gracie who has to overcome the death of her sister on Christmas Day! She feels very sad and close to her family even though she has never met that sister. Next she is in the body of a girl she saw getting bullied on the bus, named Josie. This part of the book had the most meaning to me and went into my heart. Josie and her mother, Jess, were looking for jobs and living at a cheap, run down motel called Flamingo motel. Josie had lots of scrapes and scabs and dirty hair. They had to get food from the garbage. When looking for a job opportunity they found FRANNIES HOUSE! Frannie was so happy to see her brother and sister again. Apparently the other Frannie was in her room at the moment. Josie was offered food and a shower and clothes, and she took them all. Carmen was being so generous and I was so amazed by how someone so mean could become so thoughtful and kind. After this last bounce, Frannie was back in her own body, with souvenirs from her bounce journey. She had discovered what family meant, even if hers wasn't the best ever. But she had to admit, her family had changed too. Even Carmen said she was acting more spunky. She was more close to her family. She even became best friends with Josie, and after Frannies brother offered them money, they could move into a community center/apartment that was much nicer. This story was so beautiful.
This was probably one of my favorite books ever. I first came across this book online and fell in love with the sample. Then I cried because I couldn't even finish it at the bookstore. When I finally bought it I wanted to cry again but with happiness. This book drew me in more than almost any book. I'm sorry to people reading this if the plot doesent seem to make any sense, but it will if you read it. ;) This book was so amazing. It sucked me in! I would reccomend this to everyone everywhere and especially tweens and teens. This book changed my life and is one of those books that will stay with me forever. Not many books can do that, but this did. Thank you so much for writing Bounce, it changed my life!