Member Reviews

What a cute, quick read! I read this on the way to Brown so I'd be prepared for the tour.

There were so many elements in this book - grief, remorse, finding yourself again. I really liked how Nikki's character turned out. There are many times in books that I find myself hating the main character during snippets of the book, but I really like her the entire time. I found her struggle with reconciling her new self with the old to speak volumes of the person she would become in the end of the story.

Pax is a sweet guy. He struggles with many things he isn't used to struggling with, and adjusting is something that both he and Nikki deal with. He serves as a good contrast for Nikki especially. If something like what happened to him happened to me I can only hope I would be as well-adjusted as he is.

The scenes with Nikki's old friends were interesting. I liked how they added depth and dynamic to the story. I think Nikki handled them well, especially after what happened. I felt so proud of her when she confronted them.

There's a part that involves the girl who was the bullying victim and I could not love this scene more. It doesn't go the cliche way and I was very pleased with that.

This is definitely a good beach read!

Was this review helpful?

I'm not a frequent reader of YA fiction, but I do enjoy reading it every now and then. I was drawn to this book due to the premise - a formerly popular, now outcast girl finds boy who has a wheelchair bound and starts to have feelings for him.

This was a quick read for me but I so wish it explored things on a deeper level as there was so much more that could have been discussed. I found that most of the book tended to be about Nikki's redemption when there is so much more that could have been explored.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book! It's nice to have a main character with a disability- not found often in books for teens. Felt very honest and real.

Was this review helpful?

As with Karole Cozzo's previous novel, this was a great read that explains what it's like to find yourself amid circumstances that might be trying. Definitely a heart warming and beautiful read, How to Keep Rolling After A Fall has made my favorites list.

Was this review helpful?

The party was at her house. The pictures were posted from her Facebook. Nikki might not have done it, but she is the one who has taken the blame for a cyber bullying incident that lead to a girl nearly killing herself.

Working through her community service, she meets Pax, a wheelchair bound rugby player who knows what it’s like when your life is turned upside down. Pax shows Nikki that she does deserve to find love and have good things in her life again.

Was this review helpful?

Grades 9 - 12: For the low price of a paperback, Karole Cozzo and Swoon Reads pack a lot into this book. Nikki's life is a nightmare of her own creating. In a fit of poor judgment, she joined some of her mean girl friends in posting a naked picture of Taylor. Not only has Taylor's world come crashing down, but Nikki has been convicted of her participation in the bullying. The once easy relationship Nikki had with her parents has been replaced by distrust. Nikki's social circle, once wide, has narrowed considerably, and now all she is looking forward to is the escape of her 18th birthday and graduation when she can leave town, go to college, and forget about the whole big mess. Since romance is not a priority, it comes as a surprise to her that she begins to fall for an older guy. Pax, the survivor of an accident, is paralyzed from the waist down. He has an attitude and joie de vivre that are very attractive, and, best of all, despite Nikki's prior bad behavior, he doesn't judge her. It's a romance fraught with challenge, since Pax doesn't want pity, and his circumstances are pitiable. In a short amount of time Cozzo develops two great characters who are navigating a romance that many adults would find difficult. The end matter includes an author's note which sheds light on Cozzo's profession as a school psychologist and how that has influenced the issues she wants readers to ponder, a list of discussion questions that are centered around mental health (not surprising), and a pitch for another book by another author. Verdict: Readers looking for a redemptive romance will gravitate to this tale that looks at disability from a position of strength rather than weakness.
Curricular Use: The questions at the end lend themselves to a Health discussion of healthy relationships, perceptions of beauty, and reestablishing trust.

Was this review helpful?

After reading other reviews and learning from people with disabilities that this book does not have accurate representation, I've decided not to read it. Thank you for the opportunity.

Was this review helpful?