LitPick Review
Fourteen-year-old Dani Burkhart hasn’t made the best decisions. After discovering her parents are getting a divorce, her life spins out of control. She blames her troublesome neighbor, Mr. Reiber, for her family’s problems. This drives her to vandalize his house. However, her sweet revenge backfires and she finds herself arrested.
Everything about Dani’s life is changing. She's moving from the only house she’s ever known, and she no longer feels connected to her friend, Justine. Worst of all, she is being forced to give up her dog Barney. He is her best friend and source of happiness. Follow along as Dani experiences heartbreak and forgiveness as she struggles to make things right again.
Opinion:
I thought Fault Lines by Brenda Ortega was a great novel. I liked how the chapters alternated between Dani’s past and present, so the reader learned how events in her past affected her actions in the present. Dani, the protagonist, is likeable, realistic, and easy to relate to. The problems Dani struggles with--divorce, friendship, and her emotions--are relatable issues for many children and families.
The plot moves along at a nice pace; I never found myself bored while reading this book. It is a simple story, yet it conveys powerful themes. Themes concerning the struggles of divorce, family issues and friendship are perfectly represented in this story. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to others.
