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trisha_thomas's review against another edition
4.0
"This day might be my last."
This is an incredibly unique story - about a young girl who is flying back to boarding school and her plane in hijacked and lands in the Jordan dessert. There are few novels that tackle this topic, especially YA. It's a survival story but it also is about experiencing horrors as a young 15 year old girl and how she combats the panic and fear and who she is strong for.
I especially appreciate that this is based on a true story of the author. It was incredibly brave of her to write it. I really appreciated David and Tim but also Anna's observations of the adults on the plane - the way they cracked and how they let panic seep out into their interactions with other hostages and the hijackers. I also appreciated the perspective of a 15 year old and she tried to understand why they would hijack her plane and what their reasoning was.
But I did like the horrible Lady Mac (as they nicknamed her). She was this horrible reality that hung over their heads. This is a well crafted story of survival and inner strength. I'm so glad I read it.
This is an incredibly unique story - about a young girl who is flying back to boarding school and her plane in hijacked and lands in the Jordan dessert. There are few novels that tackle this topic, especially YA. It's a survival story but it also is about experiencing horrors as a young 15 year old girl and how she combats the panic and fear and who she is strong for.
I especially appreciate that this is based on a true story of the author. It was incredibly brave of her to write it. I really appreciated David and Tim but also Anna's observations of the adults on the plane - the way they cracked and how they let panic seep out into their interactions with other hostages and the hijackers. I also appreciated the perspective of a 15 year old and she tried to understand why they would hijack her plane and what their reasoning was.
But I did like the horrible Lady Mac (as they nicknamed her). She was this horrible reality that hung over their heads. This is a well crafted story of survival and inner strength. I'm so glad I read it.
jennifermreads's review
2.0
Received advanced reader copy from publisher via Baker & Taylor book supplier
Actual rating 2.5 stars
In September 1970, Anna is on a flight headed back to her boarding school in England. But the plane is hijacked by Palestinians and forced to land in the Jordanian desert.
The historical and political aspects of this novel were intriguing. I can only imagine the trauma of being a victim in a hijacking and being a victim in the 100+ degree desert. The descriptions within the story definitely helped convey the hunger, thirst, and discomfort aboard the grounded plane.
But I expected to feel a bit more panic and fright as I read of the ordeal and it never really came. I think it admirable that Anna At the same time, it was interesting to get the perspective of why this was happening – and it definitely helped explain the political pieces to those not familiar with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestinian
My biggest hang-up was that I just never got comfortable with Anna’s voice. I really struggled through the first half of the book. An interest in the David & Tim characters plus my own long term curiosity with the PFLP carried me through to the end.
Actual rating 2.5 stars
In September 1970, Anna is on a flight headed back to her boarding school in England. But the plane is hijacked by Palestinians and forced to land in the Jordanian desert.
The historical and political aspects of this novel were intriguing. I can only imagine the trauma of being a victim in a hijacking and being a victim in the 100+ degree desert. The descriptions within the story definitely helped convey the hunger, thirst, and discomfort aboard the grounded plane.
But I expected to feel a bit more panic and fright as I read of the ordeal and it never really came. I think it admirable that Anna
Spoiler
could sympathize with the hijacker Jamal. .My biggest hang-up was that I just never got comfortable with Anna’s voice. I really struggled through the first half of the book. An interest in the David & Tim characters plus my own long term curiosity with the PFLP carried me through to the end.
Spoiler
Which, by the way, was a little abrupt. The hijackers suddenly just let the passengers go? After threatening to blow them up?emilyusuallyreading's review against another edition
4.0
What I Liked
The cover and the name immediately intrigued me. I was also interested in the fact that Moss wrote the novel based off of her own account of being hijacked on a flight at only 15 years old. What a story!
I appreciate Moss's use of all 5 senses. Anna doesn't only sit on the plane. She feels the rough fabric brush the backs of her bare leg. She smells the heavy fog of cigarette smoke (yep, they allowed smoking on flights back then). She tastes the dry air. Moss is heavy on senses, which helps the reader picture themselves in the same situation.
What I Didn't Like
Moss is a children's book author and this shows a little too clearly in Girl on a Plane. Her descriptions and narrations are childish and over-simplified. Anna doesn't write like a 15-year-old; she writes like a 9-year-old. In fact, this is a book I would give to an older-elementary-aged child, not necessarily a sophomore in high school.
Even the tip-toeing around potential sexual abuse was frustrating to me. As a 15-year-old witnessing a horrific and traumatizing hijacking, I wanted to see a little more realism of the situation, a little more horror. Instead, with the child-friendly tone, I was never really that worried for anyone.
The cover and the name immediately intrigued me. I was also interested in the fact that Moss wrote the novel based off of her own account of being hijacked on a flight at only 15 years old. What a story!
I appreciate Moss's use of all 5 senses. Anna doesn't only sit on the plane. She feels the rough fabric brush the backs of her bare leg. She smells the heavy fog of cigarette smoke (yep, they allowed smoking on flights back then). She tastes the dry air. Moss is heavy on senses, which helps the reader picture themselves in the same situation.
What I Didn't Like
Moss is a children's book author and this shows a little too clearly in Girl on a Plane. Her descriptions and narrations are childish and over-simplified. Anna doesn't write like a 15-year-old; she writes like a 9-year-old. In fact, this is a book I would give to an older-elementary-aged child, not necessarily a sophomore in high school.
Even the tip-toeing around potential sexual abuse was frustrating to me. As a 15-year-old witnessing a horrific and traumatizing hijacking, I wanted to see a little more realism of the situation, a little more horror. Instead, with the child-friendly tone, I was never really that worried for anyone.
melbsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Trigger warnings: terrorism, hijacking, physical violence, gun violence, sexual assault (off page), colonialism, racism, Islamophobia
A compelling story set in the 1970s and inspired by the author's own experiences of being on a plane hijacked by Palestinian liberationists. I find it intriguing that she chose to write a novel rather than a nonfiction book about her experiences, but that's ultimately besides the point.
It's very clear that the story draws heavily on the author's memories of what she went through, including the environment, the heat, the tension and the experiences of the passengers. I did feel like the epilogue was a little unnecessary to the story, but I can understand why the author felt it was necessary to HER story, so I'll let it slide.
A compelling story set in the 1970s and inspired by the author's own experiences of being on a plane hijacked by Palestinian liberationists. I find it intriguing that she chose to write a novel rather than a nonfiction book about her experiences, but that's ultimately besides the point.
It's very clear that the story draws heavily on the author's memories of what she went through, including the environment, the heat, the tension and the experiences of the passengers. I did feel like the epilogue was a little unnecessary to the story, but I can understand why the author felt it was necessary to HER story, so I'll let it slide.
melissapalmer404's review against another edition
4.0
Book #92 Read in 2016
Girl on a Plane by Miriam Moss
This is a story about Anna, a 15 year old girl, who is on her way to boarding school when her plane is hijacked. The author went through a similar ordeal as a teenager and she felt that now was the time to write about it, fictionalizing it. This book was emotionally raw and displayed the emotions of the hostages while they were wondering if they would live or die. This book was fairly action packed and would be a recommended read for high school and adult readers alike. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Girl on a Plane by Miriam Moss
This is a story about Anna, a 15 year old girl, who is on her way to boarding school when her plane is hijacked. The author went through a similar ordeal as a teenager and she felt that now was the time to write about it, fictionalizing it. This book was emotionally raw and displayed the emotions of the hostages while they were wondering if they would live or die. This book was fairly action packed and would be a recommended read for high school and adult readers alike. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
alyx_koon's review against another edition
5.0
I was so impressed by this book. It brought on strong emotions and truly opened my eyes. I fell in love with David and Tim, as they tried to make the best out of the situation. It was more of an easy read to me then most, but I am glad that I did.
miamcloughlin's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
caitiep92's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
katie1603's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25