Girls don't fly by Kristyn Chandler

Girls don't fly, by Kristyn Chandler, wasn't the best book I have ever read but it was fun and entertaining. It was written by one of my mom's high school friends, and that is why I wanted to read it. The book only took me about a week to read and wasn't too hard, but I still really enjoyed it. It dealt with the everyday drama of a teenage girl, plus some little twists that made it fun to read. It had many relateable themes, like self worth and not letting people push you around. It was very easy to relate to the main character, Myra, and the way the author writes the book makes you feel very connected to her. Also, Myra deals with rumors, friends, family, school, and boys. Something we can all relate to! If you want a fun, easy read, I suggest this book.
Seventeen year old Myra is the glue that holds her family together. Between taking care of her four younger brothers, helping her overworked parents, and doing her boyfriend's homework, Myra never has time to herself. It seems like she lets everyone walk all over her. Her unappreciative boyfriend, Erik, tells her he is breaking up with her because he needs "space." Myra's whole world is turned upside down, and she thinks things can't get any worse. That is... until she finds out her older sister, Melyssa, is five months pregnant and will be moving back home again. Of course, this forces Myra out of her own bedroom and into the dark, miserable, unheated basement.

Myra spends her days sulking and getting made fun of at school, until Graduate student Peter Tree comes to her AP Biology class offering two high school seniors an eight-week trip to the Galapagos Islands. Myra is hooked. They would spend their time studying plant and bird life... something that has always interested her. Partly,she wants to beat her ex, Eric, who is also applying for the scholarship. But another part of her wants to do this because it's something she actually wants. Myra doesn't get many opportunities to take risks and do what she wants to do! The catch is, she would have to raise $1,000 of her own money in order to go. Myra's hopes are immediately crushed and she knows there is no way she can pay this amount. With a low income family, one thousand dollars is too much. It doesn't help that she just quit her job at the local ice cream shop.

But, Myra is not a quitter. When she sets her mind to something, it will happen. So, she starts attending the mandatory Saturday preparation classes. The classes are at the local Marina and are taught by Peter Tree, who is their mentor and teacher. Myra ends up getting a job at the Marina, working with Peter. Peter is a very weird, unorganized guy, but Myra learns a lot from him and finds herself liking him more and more.

Not only does Peter teach Myra countless lessons about birds and wild life, he teaches her self worth. That she is really worth something and it helps Myra to stop letting people push her around. Everyone is noticing this change, including Eric. And he doesn't like it. More than ever now he is out to get Myra and she has to do all she can to keep him from ruining her. Between keeping her family happy at home, controlling the rumors Eric is spreading at school, and working at the marina, Myra's life is crazier than ever. All she wants is to win the scholarship and escape her crazy life. All she wants is... to fly.

I don't want to spoil the ending of the book, but let's just say Myra gets some opportunities she would never expect. Like, delivering her sister's baby in the car and rescuing fishers off the lake!

I think one of the main reasons I enjoyed reading this book was because of the personal growth Myra goes through. She starts out unhappy, unconfident and lonely, and ends up realising she can do anything. I think it is a good reminder to all of us that if we set our minds to something, it is possible. So, with all these things holding her back, will Myra ever get the chance to lift her wings and fly?

B+