While I'm Falling by Laura Moriarty

The characters are vivid and the writing makes this novel beautiful, honest and believable. The story is complete, thoughtful and memorable. An interesting read about a family torn apart who is coming to terms with who they are as individuals. Family crisis at its "best".

Grade: A

Synopsis Ever since her parents announced that they're getting divorced, Veronica has been falling. Hard. A junior in college, she's fallen in love. She's fallen behind in her difficult coursework. She hates her job at the dorm, and she longs for the home that no longer exists. When an attempt to escape the pressure, combined with bad luck, lands her in a terrifying situation, a shaken Veronica calls her mother for help - only to find her former foundation too preoccupied to offer any assistance at all. But Veronica only gets to feel hurt for so long. Her mother shows up at the dorm with a surprising request - and with the elderly family dog in tow. Veronica soon finds herself with a new set of problems, and new questions about love and independence. Darkly humorous, compelling, and filled with crystalline observations, While I'm Falling takes a deep look at a relationship between a mother and a daughter when one is trying to grow up and the other is trying to stay afloat.