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Isabelle Bean never quite fit in at school or at home or anywhere really. So she is not a bit surprised to find another world on the other side of the nurse's closet door at school and she eagerly steps in. The children Isabelle meets in the other world presume that she is a witch and want nothing to do with her. After convincing the children that red, pointy boots do not a witch make, Isabelle is instructed to retreat to the children's camp in the woods so that the witch won't find her and eat her. But Isabelle doesn't always do what is sensible or even what she is safest. She decides that it would be much more interesting to meet a witch in this new world and promptly heads off in that direction. Along the way, she befriends Hen, a clever young girl about her own age, and Grete, a wise, old herb woman who is both more and less than she seems...

This is a charming little book intended for readers ages 8 - 12. I think that it is a good, gentle introduction to fantasy books if your child is interested in reading that genre. The story is fairly simple and easy to follow, but while the "mystery" is really no surprise for older readers, younger readers will delight in trying to figure out who Isabelle really is and if Grete is really a witch. The type is fairly large and the pages a bit smaller than usual so young readers will make rapid progress and should finish the book pretty quickly.

The writing style was my favorite part of the book. It is written in a confidential, story-telling mode that experienced actors and performers use to engage their audience. However, I will say that one of the things I both enjoyed and did not like about the writing style were the random asides inserted by the author. You will be reading along the story and then all of a sudden be jolted out for an explanation of what a changeling is or to discuss the holes in modern education. These little interruptions are entertaining and may even be useful for those less familiar with fantasy books, but I did not think that they were placed very well sometimes as I thought they disrupted the pace of the story. The characterization and descriptions were really well done, however. I liked Isabelle right away and thought it was wonderful that this book is based around a quirky, offbeat young girl who knows that she is different, but is okay with it. Her thoughts and rationales for doing things are really hilarious! Hen and Grete are also interesting to get to know and help you realize that not everyone is who or what they seem and that sometimes stories have a way of taking on a life of their own.

I recommend this book for young readers, but I especially recommend it to those parents or teachers who are looking for a fun book to read out loud. There is a lot of personality in this book and many opportunities to unleash your inner performer as you relay these words to your audience. I would love to hear this in audiobook format or to have the chance to read it to some young children as I think that the book is written in a style that is like an old-fashioned bard performing a story. This is a fun, cute read that young girls will particularly enjoy, but young boys should find entertaining as well.

The narrarator of Falling In bemoans the public school systems for not educating the imaginations of children - here is a big step to fixing that problem! I am a big fan of this author, so I come into this with a bit of a bias, in that I was very excited to hear she had turned her attention to the fantasy realm. Not since Alice fell in that rabbit hole has there been such a charming story of a discovery of an alternative world. Our main character, Isabelle Bean is a bit different, with just "a silver strand of otherworldliness barely visible along her spine" that sets her apart from her fellow sixth graders. When she falls through a door in the nurses office and winds up in another land, she gamely sets off in search of a witch that has been terrorizing the population's children. Why would she set off after the witch? Because witches aren't dull, of course and Isabelle is surrounded by dull all the time.

There are many lighthearted moments in this story, but not all is light and dreamy. Isabelle finds herself facing illness and death. So, be prepared for some adventure! I loved this story and feel very heartened that people are still writing such imaginative tales that pay tribute to the classic fairy tales of old. This is perfect for fourth through sixth graders and maybe even a third grader or two if they have a stout heart and a big vocabulary!

Something could be on the otherside of that door. Perhaps another world? This is the setting to "Falling In" by Frances O'Roark Dowell. This book was overall inventive; I found that I didn't always know where the author was going with the story, and I like that.

Isabelle Bean is a misfit in her life. She thinks about things differently from the average kid. She ends up having an adventure that explains why she is so different. Or, was it all real? It is kind of similiar to Alice in Wonderland in the sense it leaves you wondering if the author intended the story to be real or not.

I really enjoyed the author's style of writing. She speaks to the reader in a confidential way. It was refreshing. Overall, the book itself is well-written. Nowadays, we get some great storylines, but the quality of writing isn't very good. Not so here. She demonstrates an ability to actually "write" in the true sense of the word. The book is written for ages 8-12. I think boys may like the story as well (or at least read it in secret).

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