“That's the problem with life: it keeps going, even when you don't.”
— Claire reflects on the relentless passage of time after her mother's diagnosis.
Archivist's Choice
Falling Over Sideways
Jordan Sonnenblick (2016)
Genre
Children's / Young Adult
Reading Time
270 min
Key Themes
See below
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When her comedian father's sudden medical emergency turns her already chaotic life into a serious drama, Claire must find the humor amidst the heartbreak to help her family heal.
Synopsis
Claire, a middle schooler, feels like her life is a joke, but she's not laughing. She deals with typical adolescent problems: feeling left behind by friends, facing mean girls and an annoying boy named Ryder, and a general sense of not being heard by her family. Her already difficult world changes when her father suffers a sudden, severe medical emergency at the kitchen table, leaving him with a serious brain injury that affects his speech and memory. Claire struggles to cope with her dad's altered state, the shift in family dynamics, and the pressure of acting normal at school. Through her love for dance, an unexpected friendship with Ryder, and the rediscovery of humor within her family, Claire learns to navigate grief, find her voice, and helps her family find a new way to laugh together again, accepting their changed circumstances and embracing a future with both challenges and hope.
Reading time
270 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Heartwarming, Hopeful, Emotional, Humorous
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy heartwarming stories about resilience, family, and finding humor in difficult situations, with a focus on a middle schooler's perspective.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer high fantasy, intense action, or stories without significant emotional challenges.
Plot Summary
A Day of Discontent and a Dance Class Disaster
Twelve-year-old Claire is having a rough time. She feels invisible compared to her older brother, Matt, and overshadowed by her best friend, Dana, who seems to be growing up faster. At school, she faces taunts from the popular girls, the 'Mean Six,' and argues with Ryder, a boy she secretly likes. Her day ends with a disastrous ballet class where her teacher, Madame Z, criticizes her lack of grace and tells her she's not ready for pointe shoes. This further solidifies Claire's feelings of inadequacy and frustration with her perceived clumsiness and lack of progress.
The Kitchen Table Incident
After another challenging day, Claire is at the kitchen table with her dad, who is trying to cheer her up with his usual silly jokes. He begins to tell a story about a 'man who fell over sideways' when he suddenly slumps over, unresponsive. Claire initially thinks he's joking, but quickly realizes the seriousness of the situation. Her mom and Matt rush in, and an ambulance is called. This traumatic event shatters the family's sense of normalcy, leaving Claire in shock and fear as her dad is rushed to the hospital.
Hospital Waiting and Unsettling News
At the hospital, Claire, her mom, and Matt endure a difficult wait. They learn that Claire's dad, Mr. Davis, has suffered a severe stroke, causing significant brain damage, especially affecting his speech and motor skills. The doctors explain the long and difficult recovery ahead, emphasizing the uncertainty of how much function he will regain. Claire struggles to process this information, feeling a mix of fear, confusion, and a strange detachment, as if the whole situation isn't real.
Life Without Laughter
Life at home becomes somber and strained. Claire's mom is constantly at the hospital, and Matt tries to help, but the usual family dynamic is gone. The house, once filled with her dad's jokes and laughter, is now quiet and filled with unspoken grief. Claire finds herself unable to talk about her feelings, especially with Dana, who tries to be supportive but does not fully understand. The weight of her dad's condition makes her everyday problems, like school and the Mean Six, seem trivial yet still burdensome.
The Return Home and the Struggle to Communicate
After weeks in the hospital and a rehabilitation facility, Mr. Davis comes home. However, he is not the same. He struggles with aphasia, able to say only a few garbled words, and his right side is weakened. Claire finds it very difficult to connect with him, missing his old self and his jokes. His attempts at communication are frustrating for everyone, and Claire often retreats to her room, feeling overwhelmed by the changes and the constant effort required to interact with him.
School Struggles and a Surprising Ally
School continues to be a challenge. The Mean Six, particularly Chloe, intensify their bullying, making fun of Claire's clumsiness and her dad's condition. During a particularly humiliating incident, Ryder, the boy Claire has a complicated relationship with, unexpectedly intervenes, defending her against the bullies. This moment changes their dynamic, and Claire begins to see a different side of Ryder, realizing he might not be as mean as she thought, and perhaps even understands some of what she's going through.
Finding a New Voice
Frustrated by her dad's inability to speak, Claire starts looking for ways to connect. She remembers his love for telling silly stories and begins to tell him simplified versions of events from her day, using gestures and expressions. To her surprise, her dad responds, not with words, but with sounds, smiles, and sometimes even a knowing look. This breakthrough allows them to re-establish a form of communication, bringing a glimmer of hope and a sense of purpose back into Claire's life.
The Ballet Recital and a Moment of Grace
Despite Madame Z's continued criticism, Claire practices diligently for the ballet recital. Her dad is able to attend, sitting in a wheelchair. During her performance, Claire, though not technically perfect, dances with a newfound emotional depth and expressiveness, pouring her feelings into her movements. She experiences a moment of genuine grace, not in the traditional ballet sense, but in her ability to find beauty and meaning in her own way. Her dad's proud smile from the audience confirms her success.
The Power of Laughter Returns
Slowly, the family begins to heal. Claire, her mom, and Matt find ways to bring humor back into their lives, often through silly stories or by finding the funny side of challenging situations, much like her dad used to do. They learn to laugh with, and sometimes at, Mr. Davis's garbled attempts at speech, creating inside jokes that strengthen their bond. The house, once silent, starts to fill with a different kind of laughter—one born of resilience and shared love, showing their acceptance of their new reality.
A New Chapter for Claire
By the end of the story, Claire has grown significantly. She has found confidence in her ability to connect with her dad, stood up to the Mean Six, and developed a budding friendship with Ryder. She realizes that being 'graceful' is not just about ballet, but about navigating life's challenges with resilience and a sense of self. She learns that her unique way of seeing the world and her ability to find humor are her own strengths, and she embraces her identity, no longer feeling sideways, but standing firmly on her own two feet.
Principal Figures
Claire Davis
The Protagonist
Claire transforms from an insecure, quiet girl into a resilient and confident young woman who learns to embrace her unique strengths and find her own form of grace.
Mr. Davis (Dad)
The Supporting Character
Mr. Davis goes from a vibrant, joke-telling father to a stroke victim with severe communication challenges, eventually finding new ways to connect with his family through their shared love and resilience.
Mrs. Davis (Mom)
The Supporting Character
Mrs. Davis evolves from a relatively normal mother to a primary caregiver, demonstrating immense strength and resilience in the face of her husband's life-altering illness.
Matt Davis
The Supporting Character
Matt transforms from a typical older brother into a more responsible and supportive figure, stepping up to help his family during a crisis.
Dana
The Supporting Character
Dana maintains her role as Claire's best friend, learning to be more empathetic as she witnesses Claire's struggle.
Ryder
The Supporting Character
Ryder shifts from an annoying antagonist to a supportive friend and crush, revealing his underlying kindness and empathy.
Chloe
The Antagonist
Chloe remains a static antagonist, representing the external pressures and meanness Claire faces.
Madame Z
The Supporting Character
Madame Z remains a challenging figure for Claire, indirectly pushing her towards self-discovery in dance.
Themes & Insights
Finding Your Own Grace
This theme explores Claire's journey to define 'grace' not just as physical elegance, but as inner strength, resilience, and emotional expression. Initially, Claire feels ungraceful in ballet and in life, constantly tripping and feeling awkward. However, through her dad's illness, she learns to navigate immense challenges with a unique blend of vulnerability and courage. Her performance in the ballet recital, though not technically perfect, is filled with a deep emotional grace that she has developed through her experiences. This shows that true grace comes from within and from how one responds to adversity.
“Maybe 'grace' wasn't just about not falling down. Maybe it was about getting back up, even when you didn't want to.”
The Power of Laughter and Humor in Adversity
Before the stroke, Claire's dad uses humor to connect with and comfort his family. After his stroke, the absence of his laughter creates a void, and the family struggles with their grief. The novel shows how, slowly, the family learns to reintroduce laughter, not to lessen the seriousness of their situation, but as a coping mechanism and a way to heal. Finding humor in Mr. Davis's garbled words or in shared silly stories becomes a vital part of their recovery, allowing them to reconnect and find joy amidst their pain. This proves that laughter can be a powerful form of resilience and love.
“Dad used to say that laughter was the best medicine. And now, more than ever, we needed it.”
Communication and Connection
The theme of communication is central, especially after Mr. Davis suffers aphasia. Claire initially struggles to connect with her dad, missing his words and feeling frustrated by his inability to speak. This forces her to find other ways to communicate, through gestures, shared stories, and emotional understanding. The story highlights that connection does not solely depend on spoken words. It can be formed through empathy, shared experiences, and a willingness to understand beyond verbal expression. Claire's ability to 'speak' with her dad without words becomes a profound example of their bond.
“It wasn't just about what he said, or what I said. It was about what we understood, without saying anything at all.”
Identity and Self-Acceptance
Claire's journey is deeply tied to her struggle with identity. She feels awkward, clumsy, and overshadowed, constantly comparing herself to others. The challenges she faces, from bullying to her dad's illness, force her to confront who she is. Through these experiences, she learns to stop trying to be someone she is not and to appreciate her own unique qualities, including her empathy, resilience, and ability to find humor. By the end, she accepts her 'sideways' nature, understanding that her individuality is her strength, not a flaw.
“I wasn't graceful like a ballerina. I was graceful like... me. And that was enough.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The 'Falling Over Sideways' Metaphor
A central metaphor representing both physical accident and emotional disequilibrium.
The phrase 'falling over sideways' is initially a literal event when Claire's dad has a stroke. However, it quickly becomes a powerful metaphor for Claire's emotional state throughout the book. She feels her life is 'falling over sideways' – out of balance, awkward, and unpredictable. It represents her clumsiness, her insecurity, and the sudden, disorienting upheaval in her family life. As the story progresses, she learns to regain her balance, both literally and figuratively, transforming the meaning of 'falling' from a negative to a challenge she can overcome.
Aphasia as a Barrier and a Bridge
The inability to speak creates communication challenges but also fosters new forms of connection.
Mr. Davis's aphasia serves as a significant plot device, creating the central conflict around communication. Initially, it's a barrier, isolating him and frustrating his family. However, it forces Claire and her family to develop new, non-verbal ways of interacting, such as through gestures, shared memories, and emotional cues. This struggle ultimately becomes a bridge, deepening their understanding of each other and forging a more profound, empathetic connection that transcends spoken words, highlighting the many forms communication can take.
Ballet as a Mirror
Ballet reflects Claire's internal struggles and her journey towards self-acceptance.
Ballet class functions as a mirror for Claire's internal struggles with grace, self-consciousness, and perfection. Her perceived clumsiness in ballet directly correlates with her feelings of awkwardness in life. Madame Z's criticisms amplify her insecurities. However, as Claire grows emotionally, her approach to ballet changes. Her final recital, while not technically perfect, is filled with emotional expression, demonstrating her newfound inner grace and self-acceptance. Ballet, therefore, becomes a tangible representation of her personal growth and her ability to find beauty in her own unique way.
The Joke as a Coping Mechanism
Humor, initially a source of comfort, becomes a tool for healing and resilience.
Before the stroke, jokes and laughter are a staple of the Davis family, particularly from Mr. Davis. After his illness, the absence of humor highlights the family's grief. The 'joke' then becomes a coping mechanism that the family consciously works to reclaim. By finding humor in their challenging situation, even in Mr. Davis's garbled attempts at speech, they transform their pain into resilience. This device emphasizes the therapeutic power of laughter and its role in helping the family navigate trauma and find a 'new normal' that still includes joy.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Sometimes, when you're going through something really hard, it feels like everyone else's life is just a party you weren't invited to.”
— Claire feels isolated as her friends seem oblivious to her family's struggles.
“You can't just wish away the bad stuff. You have to live through it. And sometimes, you have to help other people live through it too.”
— Claire realizes her role in supporting her family, especially her younger brother.
“It’s funny how a person can be right there, in front of you, and still be completely gone.”
— Claire observes her mother's changes due to the illness.
“I used to think being brave meant not being scared. Now I think it means being scared, but doing it anyway.”
— Claire redefines bravery as she faces her fears about her mother's health.
“Maybe the hardest part isn't what's happening, but not knowing what's going to happen next.”
— Claire grapples with the uncertainty of her mother's prognosis.
“Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone is just be there. Not fix it, not explain it, just be there.”
— Claire learns the importance of presence and support from her friend.
“Grief is a tricky thing. It doesn't just go away. It just changes shape.”
— Claire contemplates the lasting impact of her mother's illness.
“You can't control what happens to you, but you can control how you react to it.”
— A lesson Claire learns about agency in difficult circumstances.
“The world keeps spinning, even when your own little world feels like it's stopped dead.”
— Claire's ongoing observation of the world outside her personal crisis.
“It's hard to remember what normal felt like, when you're living in this new normal.”
— Claire reflects on how much her family's life has changed.
“You don't know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”
— Claire discovers her inner strength through adversity.
“It's okay to not be okay. But it's not okay to stay there.”
— A message of encouragement about allowing oneself to feel pain but also to move forward.
“Sometimes the most important things in life aren't things at all.”
— Claire's realization about the value of family and relationships over material possessions.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
At the start of the book, Claire feels stuck and overlooked. While her friends are experiencing new things and moving forward, she feels like her life is static, compounded by bullying from mean girls and a boy named Ryder, and a general lack of attention from her family.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
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