The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z.

Messner, Kate. The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z.
Walker & Co 2009 198p 16.99 978-0-8027-9842-8 ms Gianna has only a week to finish her leaf collection for science class. She is looking forward to the big track meet but she won’t be qualified to go if her leaf project isn’t a success. A rival wants to take her place. Zig, a boy in her class and a long time best friend, tries to help with a hike to gather and identify leaves. Gianna has only a week to finish her leaf collection for science class. The assignment was given three weeks ago and Gianna meant to do it but she day dreams, draws pictures and has a lot of other things to do. She is looking forward to the big track meet but she won’t be qualified to go if her leaf project isn’t a success. A rival classmate makes it clear that she would be oh so willing to take Gianna’s place at the track meet. Zig, a very smart boy in her class and a long time best friend, tries to help with a hike to gather and identify leaves. Could this old friend be possibly be turning into boyfriend material? It looks like Gianna is finally making progress on her report but mean girls and family obligations interfere. Her grandmother, who lives with her family, sometimes seems to drift away. Is it dementia, is she day dreaming like her granddaughter? Although this is a school drama there is another layer to the story as some of the other characters such as the mother and grandmother are more fully developed that in many other similar stories. The family business is a funeral home and that too adds an interesting touch. Tatro, Margaret