PARACHUTES

Narrator Karissa Vacker projects Claire's resignation when the Shanghai 11th grader, who is used to buckling under, is selected to become a "parachute," a wealthy teen sent to a private American school. Claire moves in with Dani, a scholarship student and star of the debate club, who cleans houses to help her mother. Narrator Cassie Simone registers Dani's resentment and frustration about her mother's decision to take in a boarder. Alternating chapters reveal the teens' individual journeys, their inaccurate perceptions about each other, and the disparity of their socioeconomic situations. Claire grows from spoiled and sheltered to understanding independence and love. Dani becomes more courageous as she deals with the predatory advances of her debate coach. Their worlds are brought together by experiences of sexual harassment and assault. S.W. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2020]