The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golding

Dowding, Philippa. The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golding. Dundurn, 2014.

Gwen is just about to finish 8th grade. One morning when her mom pounds on her bedroom door, Gwen wakes up to get ready for school and finds herself on the ceiling.  Soon Gwen learns that she is a Night Flyer, a person who has the ability to fly at will.  She is mentored by one of her neighbors and has to learn to balance her new abilities with surviving junior high.

I really wanted to like this book.  The synopsis made it sound fun and interesting.  And I think it had the potential to be both fun and interesting, but the first three-quarters of the book was pretty boring. Gwen's in eighth grade, but she acts like a fifth grader, which I found a bit odd and off-putting. Also, none of the characters are really developed at all, even Gwen, so I didn't find myself rooting for her throughout the book at all. This book just fell flat for me. It had about as much intensity and excitement as a Babysitter's Club book, and it's probably intended for that age group as well.

Recommended for: middle grade only

Red Flags: Gwen's childhood friend tries to make out with her at his party, but nothing happens

Overall Rating: 3/5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley for the purposes of review.