YSBR's Reviews > Kirby's Lessons for Falling [in Love]

k? Kirby Tan got her love of rock climbing from her father, and she has continued to climb even after his passing. Her climbing team even nicknamed her the Queen of Balance. But when an injury sidelines Kirby after a failed dynamic move (“dyno”) at an important competition, she’ll need to find a school club to join for the rest of the season… little does she know it would change her entire world. Kirby’s Catholic church (and Chinese American) community has made her hesitant to be openly queer, but that aspect of her life becomes harder to hide after meeting crystal-wearing, tarot-reading Bex Santos. Can Kirby finally land a dyno in both her athletic and personal lives to get what she’s always wanted?

Gao anchors the plot around six lessons for falling that relate both to the sport of rock climbing and to the growing pains of life. While Kirby figures out how to live authentically without losing the church community that has been such a large part of her life since losing her dad, readers will also follow Kirby’s mom raising two kids on her own while also caring for her aging father after his stroke. Woven throughout is the life lesson for both Kirby and her mom that it’s ok to ask for help when you’re struggling. Eric and Astrid make for the perfect supporting cast for both Kirby and Bex as they learn to heal from the heartbreak in their lives. While dealing with some tough topics, Kirby’s Lessons for Falling (in Love) has a hopeful ending that many teen readers will be able to relate to even if they are not rock climbers or from an immigrant family. Kirby and Eric are Chinese American, Bex is Latine, and Astrid is trans. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...