The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z.
by Kate Messner

    THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. by Kate Messner
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  9/1/09
    Publisher:  Walker Books
    Reviewed by:  Joan Stradling
    Rating:  5 Stars


    If Gianna Zales doesn’t finish her seventh-grade leaf collection project in time, her spot in the cross country
    sectionals will be filled by her nemesis. Though she had plenty of time to do the project, Gianna left it until the last
    minute.

    It doesn't help her state of mind that her father drives her to school in a hearse, her grandmother keeps forgetting
    things, and her mother pretends like nothing is wrong.

    This fall will be a disaster if Gianna can't pull it together and take her project all the way to the finish line.

    The warm-up stretched just the right muscles so I was ready to take on the smooth cross country pacing of the
    novel. I trotted happily along through Gianna's story and enjoyed the scenery along the way. The emotional hills
    and valleys gave me a satisfying workout, and the cool down in the end made for a perfect run.

    Messner not only reached the finish line with THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z., she won the gold and
    the crowd went wild.