BEFORE I FALL

By Lauren Oliver

HarperCollinsPublishers

Copyright 2009

Alexis Packer

Samantha Kingston is the proclaimed interpretation of perfect. She has everything a girl could possible want: perfect boyfriend, friends, and popularity. Although due to a devastating accident one night, she wakes up next night reliving yesterday. She relives the same date, February 12th, figuring out the main problem: what and why did it happen, but also understanding she could have had instead of what she did have.

The setting is in Ridgeview, Connecticut on the set day of February 12th.

The first key events introduced: her school day taking shape of a “ Mean Girls” façade, her unusual attraction to her pre-calc teacher Mr. Dailmer, the actual party taking place, resulting in the girls getting drunk and getting into a fatal accident.

Introduction

Antagonist: The typical “Mean Girls” living of the popularity they receive. Although, the are known as heartless people, they love and car for each other. They tease and ridicule the kids in and out of school, but throughout the story Sam transitions from a antagonist to antangonist.

Elody, Lindsay, Samantha, and Ally

Juliet Skyes

Protagonist: They shy, mysterious girl who hides her face at all times, barely utters a word, and was dubbed throughout the school as Physco.

Samantha Kingston

Protagonist/Antagonist: The most popular senior, including her friends, attending the high school nicknamed “Suicide High”. She transitions her role in the story as time goes on.

Major Characters

The main conflict in this story includes both Juliet and Samantha, Samantha needs to figure out she to stop repeating the fateful day of February 12th daily.

Throughout the story, she learns what her life could have been if she choose different decisions. Later, she discovers she needs to figure out the catalyst of present grudges, past friendships, hidden secrets, along with finding out how to stop Juliet from committing suicide, which is making her repeat that day many times over.

Central Conflict

Kent McFuller

Izzy Kingston

The loyal, trustworthy old friend of Samantha Kingston. Dating back to the second grade, he vowed he would always be there for her, or in other words, be her “hero”.

Rob Cokran

The long- time boyfriend of Samantha “Slammer” Kingston. He can be seen as rude, obnoxious, and sleazy during his relationship with Sam. It can proved he only wanted one thing( I’ll let you figure that out).

The brave younger sister of Sam. She kept Sam grounded and even learned self- confidence after seeing her sister’s shamelessness against her speech impediment.

Minor Characters

http://laurenoliverbooks.com/before_i_fall.php

Based on the given emotion and raw talent put into making this story, its described as emotional, raw, and both heartbreaking and heartwarming . It elaborates on a passionate story of a teenager trying to gain peace and revelation in her life while trying to save another.

What Critics Say

What I Say My thought on this book….fantastic.

It really captured my emotions and it forced you to keep up with what happened on everyday during that week. It felt like you actually were living based on the point of view and the narration of it. In other words, it deserves a 10 in my book.