Book Review - If A Tree Falls At Lunch Break

Title: If A Tree Falls At Lunch Break
Author: Gennifer Choldenko
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN-13: 978-0747589273

Synopsis
Kirsten's world is crumbling. Her parents are barely speaking to each other and her 'best-friend' has fallen under the spell of queen bee, Brianna. For Walker the goal is simply to survive in the private school his mother has moved him to because she doesn't want him to mess up with most of the kids in his old school. Then Kirsten discovers something that has a big impact on both her and Walker's lives. 


My Review
I picked this up mainly because of the title, i found it rather intriguing and the synopsis didn't sound too bad either. I took it with me on holiday as it had short chapters and looked like an easy read, and I was right, it was a perfect holiday book, I could pick it up in a moment and read a little bit and not get lost. As it was I read it in two evenings (1 hour each time) and I did enjoy it.
The story is split between two characters - Kirsten's & Walker's, with a chapter each. However for all Kirsten's Chapters it is narrated in first person, (I went to her house, I said this etc) but Walker was told in third person (Walker went to his friends house, Walker was seen going etc) not sure why this was and took me a while to get used to it, but once i did, it didn't bother me anymore. I think it was supposed to be Kirsten telling the story but using Walker's experiences, not sure, but in a weird way it worked.
Kirsten's parents do nothing but argue, the house is like a war zone, Kirsten finds herself comforting her little sister Kippy a lot, or they both try to ignore the problem, but Kirsten also finds she is eating more and gaining weight, she isn't popular and even her best friend seems to be moving on. Then she meets Walker and things start to change.
Walker has been moved to the 'posh school' he has been awarded a scholarship and is now moving up to the higher class world. But fitting in isn't easy. This book deals with racism as Walker is a black boy and faces a lot of prejudice from the upper class white kids, but Kirsten tries to change this and seems him for the person he is inside, not the colour he is on the outside, but they are battling against the odds, and then secrets start to come out and even their friendship is on the line.
Fast paced and witty, this book really flows and I enjoyed the story. little Kippy is a sweet heart and Kirsten has a great sarcastic wit. Although very short, you get immersed in the book easily and move along with the story.
Love, Friendship, racism, divorce, weight gain, diets, friendships made and loss. Wow life can be hard, but laugh and cry your way through it with Kirsten and Walker.


My Rating
I would give this book 7.5/10 a good short read, great for holidays or a lazy afternoon.