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Synopsis:
Abigail is starting a new middle school, a Catholic school, because she's been expelled from her old one. She's sure that this place will be just the same as the last, and no one will listen to her here either. Even her parents don't seem able to really hear the truth about what happened at the previous school. But now she finds herself in a community of people who do listen, who want to be her friends, and who help her discover a talent for theater that she never knew she had. Converting to Catholicism began merely as a way to annoy her parents, but quickly it becomes more. Could she be developing real faith? Kimberly Brubaker Bradley masterfully tells the tale of Abigail's spiritual journey and the faith that comes to those who need it.
Books about religious exploration somehow fascinate me, so much so that I went ahead to request Leap of Faith from the public library’s repository. Older books that are out of print or for which there are only a copy left are usually pulled from the shelves and kept at the repository. Library users who wish to borrow these books need to pay a small fee to reserve them, so that they can pick them up from their nearest library. I must say, I’m glad I specifically requested this book.
Leap of Faith was entertaining, to say the least. Those who grew up in a church will take so many things for granted. Those who didn’t though, will be extremely lost in a church. Abigail, who grew up in a family that didn’t care much for religion, had no idea what the church stands for or who God is. Forced to attend a Catholic school in sixth grade, Abigail is also forced to take part in religious class and to attend school Mass every week. Needless to say, the first time she attends Mass, she has no idea what the expected conduct is, and asks countless questions, much to the chagrin of her teacher.
The characters have depth and continually grow throughout the book. Abigail clearly gains greater maturity, as does Chris, who becomes a very good friend to her. Aside from religion, drama also becomes an integral part in Abigail’s life. While she has no real interest in it at the beginning, she eventually becomes very passionate about it, which shines right through the pages. Abigail is someone who even at the age of 13 has a strong outlook on life and is very self-assured. Once in a while that translates into stubbornness but who isn’t stubborn as child, especially towards their parents?
Ultimately, Leap of Faith is a book that explores faith, beliefs and pursuing one’s passion. It’s the kind of book I wish I had discovered when it when it was first published and I was still 16. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it tremendously even today and would recommend it especially to younger readers.
Cait @ Notebook Sisters says
This definitely sounds interesting! I used to read a lot of religious books when I was younger, buuuut now? Eh, I don’t like the more preachy ones. I still don’t mind anything with subtle religious tones, but getting weird beliefs thrown in my face kind of turns me off. >.< Haha! It's awesome that you loved it though! I sometimes have to pay for my reserves at the library, and it always makes me nervous, because I really hope I'll like the book!
Cait @ Notebook Sisters
Joséphine @ Dudette Reads says
I don’t really mind preachy books, unless that’s seriously all the author cared about. So if there’s a character who’s a Reverend and he keeps going on about the end days being nigh, and the importance of evangelism, then that’s authentic enough for me to accept it. But if a book is in 3rd person narrative and preachiness overshadows the plot, then I do put the book down. If I want full on religious information, then I’ll pick up a non-fiction book on the subject. I’m much better served that way. I liked Leap of Faith because it was more about Abby’s personal exploration of what religion is, what it means to her and how it fits into her own life, if at all.
Ah, yes! I can totally relate. I only buy books I think I’ve a high chance of liking or are so cheap, it doesn’t matter because I want to read them. Though when it cakes to reserving books, I always rationalise that if I actually bought the book, I’d pay ten times as much for it. If I don’t actually want to own the book, then the reservation fee is a much better alternative to purchasing the book in question.