Cloud Hopper

Gr 7 Up–A beautifully-written historical science fiction story that embodies human nature. Through unique character voices and detailed imagery, Kephart creates a novel about three misfits who witness the tragic accident of a cloud hopper (a person with a jet pack that can hop through the clouds) that changes their lives forever. Each of their stories unfolds through the voice of the main character, Sophie, who interweaves their history with the present. Readers learn about her namesake, a famous hopper, through stories told by her grandma, who lives with multiple-sclerosis. They also learn about how Vietnam veterans took over an abandoned airport to fly families in hot air balloons, and a how a family’s love is unending (even if it isn’t blood-related). Kephart’s compelling read highlights the innate nature of the human race to do what is right even when everything feels like it is fighting against you.