“THE WORLD FROM UP HERE,” by Cecilia Galante, Scholastic Press, June 28, 2016, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)
Bravery comes in all forms. That’s what Wren Baker learns in Cecilia Galante’s “The World From Up Here.”
Wren has spent her whole life afraid. Her fear comes equally in the small and big moments that fill her days. The fact is Wren has never felt brave.
Wren’s cousin, Silver, is the complete opposite. She doesn’t seem to have a cowardly bone in her entire body. She’s the most popular girl in the sixth grade, and she doesn’t even seem to care.
When Wren’s mother becomes ill and Wren and her brother, Russell, have to go live with Silver, Wren is forced out of her comfort zone. Silver pushes Wren to take risks — riding a horse, flying in a plane and confronting a terrifying legend. In the process, Wren learns her fears may have less to do with herself and more to do with her circumstances, and when she challenges those circumstances, anything is possible.
The main focus of “The World From Up Here” is finding bravery when least expected. Many an introvert can relate to Wren’s desire to go unnoticed. Her fears come across real and heartfelt, and Galante does a commendable job making Wren’s feelings accessible to introverts and extroverts alike.
Wren is struggling to find her place in the world, and part of her identity is tied to that of her brother who has Asperger’s Syndrome. Russell plays a large role in “The World From Up Here,” but I like that he’s not the focus of the book. Galante definitely goes into spectrum disorders and what it’s like for those who live with it on a daily basis. I found this to be interesting without disruptive — another mark of a strong writer.
The climax of “The World From Up Here” is full of drama and angst, but it never goes beyond what the intended age group can handle. I found a few small elements to be a bit unbelievable, but they wouldn’t keep me from recommending this to 8- to 12-year-olds.
