It would have been nice to see at least one scene suggesting why she was the way she was (usually racist kids have racist folks). It wasn't enough that she was a snob and shallow and stupid, she also had to be racist. I liked the novel, but thought that both Kirsten's and Walk's characters could have been better developed, and that Walk should have been portrayed as more than simply the "model minority student." I also enjoyed Brianna, the villain of the tale, but thought some of her behavior was over the top. Walk is raised by his single mom, Sylvia and after Kirsten overhears a startling revelation from her parents, has even more to deal with than fitting in at his new school. The book's chapters are told alternately by both teens. Her mother's odd behavior also has to do with the new student at Kirsten's private school, an African-American boy named Walk. Kirsten's mom tries to help her daughter "fit in" but her idea of fitting in is far removed from Kirsten's. Plot: Kirsten McKenna is starting seventh grade with 30 extra pounds, parents who won't stop fighting, and a less-than-secure relationship with her former best friend Rory, who is now trying to be part of the in-crowd, led by the snobby Brianna Hanna-Hines. It also reminded me of "Harriet the Spy" because the protagonist is also smart, different and a target of the in-crowd's hostility. This book reminded me strongly of "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson, what with the clique dynamics, the dysfunctional family and the tree metaphor.
I wanted more resolution, or for more things to happen that would later need to be resolved. While this novel touches on a lot of real issues with a subtle hand, it left me feeling in the lurch. Matteo and Walk happen to be other races, which the in-crowd exploits as a way to further their sense of entitlement. Luckily, Kirsten finds better friends in boys Matteo and Walk who help her out in a few sticky situations. Kirsten's weight gain makes her self-conscious, and the popular girls capitalize on that. Kirsten's dad is largely absent, and her only refuge is in her little sister, Kippy, who is especially bright.Īt school, Kirsten's long time best friend Rory is pulling away, leaning toward Brianna, leader of the mean girls. To further complicate matters, Mom makes sure she's in the in-crowd herself, made up of the over-involved moms of popular girls at school. Kirsten's mom doesn't help, telling her that thin girls are more well-liked. Meet Kirsten, who has gained thirty pounds in the summer between sixth and seventh grades as an emotional response to her parent's endless fighting. "If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period" unfortunately does not quite hit the same note.
I was a big fan of Choldenko's "Al Capone Does My Shirts," so I had high hopes for this follow-up novel.
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