Falling
by Doug Wilhelm

    FALLING by Doug Wilhelm
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  3/20/07
    Publisher:  Farrar, Straus and Giroux
    Reviewed by:  Jennifer Rummel
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Matt has a huge secret that causes all kinds of problems in his life.  

    Once the star basketball player in a small city that lives for sports, he now refuses to go out for the team.  Instead,
    he keeps to himself and creates a barrier between himself and the rest of the world.  He avoids going home after
    school so he won't have to deal with his older brother and his "friends."  

    Neal used to be the basketball star, but now he spends his days locked in his room doing drugs.  Matt aimlessly
    walks around town after school until his clueless parents come home.

    No one asks Matt to explain, until he meets a girl online.  Katie goes to his school and has a passion for asking
    questions.  Katie's hit upon something in Matt.  

    Soon the two of them are hanging out after school. Katie's friends balk at the idea of them as a couple.  No one
    knows the reason behind Matt's changes, so they all assume that he's in trouble. Now Katie's asking questions, and
    it's only a matter of time until the truth tumbles out.

    FALLING asks the question of how far would you go to protect someone you love?  There also comes a time
    when everyone must make the decision at least once in their life: yes or no to drugs?  Katie and Matt wrestle
    realistically with this issue throughout the book.