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Flight #116 Is Down!
- By Caroline B. Cooney
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Hardly a classic, but still a riveting adventure.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book is intense -- some characters die, and there are gruesome injuries -- but it may be a good choice for reluctant readers. An impossible-to-put-down story, it makes no claim to being great literature, but realistic excitement directed straight at teens keeps them reading. This book may inspire readers to learn about emergency care.
What's the story?
Heidi is sixteen, living on a huge estate. She can't get better than C's, can't make many friends, and doesn't think much of herself. Patrick is seventeen, from a working family, and lives to be a volunteer emergency worker.
While Heidi's parents are away, a 747 crashes into her estate. She makes her uncertain way toward the passengers, leaving her insecurities behind, simply to act. Patrick arrives first to wade through the carnage, while Darienne, a passenger, walks away unhurt.
Hundreds of workers arrive and the book follows several of them, always focusing on the three teenagers: Heidi, Patrick, and the beautiful but incredibly selfish Darienne.
Daniel, a fifteen-year old trapped in the wreckage, feels his anger toward his parents dissolve as he wonders if he'll walk again, or even live. But everyone forgets little five-year-old Teddie. Will she survive? Heidi and Patrick find unknown strengths within themselves as the suspense blazes forward.
Is it any good?
An entertaining melodrama, this adventure novel is a good choice for reluctant readers. It doesn't have much literary merit, but it is terrific entertainment with a good message. The characters must all let go of some ingrained ideas they have about themselves, and in giving up these falsehoods, they mature. The story features both male and female leading characters, so both boys and girls will be able to identify with at least one of them and imagine themselves stumbling through the wet forest, frantically trying to save injured passengers.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the characters in the story. How do the backgrounds of the characters affect how they respond to this emergency? How do you think you would respond?
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AGE
this book is romantic and horrorifying! I enjoyed it!
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AGE
A perfect book for relulctant teen readers
Although somewhat violent, this book is really thrilling, and hard to put down.
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AGE
Exellent!!! A few guresome parts but over all a real thriller!
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AGE
perfect for ages 10 and up
I love this book because it reminds me of 9/11 and its action packed and fun filled adventure
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AGE
good for ages 13 and up
it has some people thhinking about sex and there is some disturbing
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AGE
When i first heard the title at my school for a book report i was like that is the one for me
I think the book is really good but that is my opinion. There is some very bad injuries and some people die, but out of all of it i think the book is the best.
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| Author: | Caroline B. Cooney |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1992 |
| Number of pages: | 201 |
| Paperback price: | $5.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
| Read aloud: | 11 |
| Read alone: | 12 |
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