Take Off!

Due to some bad grades, Marisa needs extra credit to graduate from high school and must complete a weekend at survival camp. It should be just the thing to take her mind off her worries. More than anything, she wants to be a pilot, but her test for her private license goes awry when strong gusts of wind cause a crash landing. She doesn’t know if she will ever have the nerve to get back in a plane. Furthermore, Aimee Ladouceur, Marisa’s former best friend and current relentless bully, is also at survival camp and is assigned to her group. On the bright side, her other partner is Dawn Morosa, a cute girl with an unconventional haircut who does not exhibit the normal high school herd mentality. They connect immediately and have fun together, despite Aimee’s constant disruptions, insults and complaints. But Aimee’s recklessness and bad attitude lead to an accident on the trail, and Marisa and Dawn must work hard to get her to safety.

The setting is a small town in rural Quebec, though this is not plainly stated, and might not be clear to many readers. This is a missed opportunity to expand upon details about life for teens in Quebec as there are some differences lurking beneath the surface. Marisa is finishing school though she is not yet old enough to drive a car, which means she must be fifteen. Graduating at an earlier age creates other choices and expectations for kids, but it is unclear what looms in the future for these characters.

The book is short, straightforward and utilitarian in style, but it does not contain much substance. It is heavy on dialogue, which is easy to read. Is the story particularly inviting for reluctant readers? I am not sure. The milieu of the air cadets and Marisa’s flight training is among the most interesting aspects of the book, but this is confined to a short early section. The wilderness survival scenario, the primary plotline, is most likely chosen to pull in athletic or outdoorsy kids who don’t always love to read. Beddia does a good job of describing Camp du Nord and the natural surroundings; Marisa appreciates nature and describes it evocatively. The novel seems accessible for reluctant readers, but it is not as engaging as it could be. The dramatic rescue in the climax is not actually that dramatic as the girls are flown to safety by an adult.

Take Off! is a simple book which contains many lessons: your bully is only acting out because they are unhappy; when you fail, get back on the horse; trust your instincts. There are tips for dealing with anxiety following a traumatic event. The book encourages empathy and compassion without being heavy handed or preachy. It praises people who are level-headed and able to take on leadership roles. Marisa learns to count her blessings, such as her supportive family, her cool best friend, her passion for flying, her composure under pressure and her quiet confidence. The novel also praises practicality, and Take Off! shows that people who have concrete skills are just as important as those who are good at academic subjects.