Rating: 
Summary: I've met a floating angel...
Review: "Wow", is the only thing I could say after reading this book. I sat for an hour and actually pondered this twisting story line and complex characters. Most people groan at the sound of a book that teaches you a good lesson. I'll admit that I was always one of those people. One day, I pick up this harmless book off the shelf and plunged into the mysterious mind of Lani Garver. Little did I know that I'd soon be learning one of the biggest lessons of my life. What is this lesson? If I gave it away now, you may be discouraged to read this book for the mere fact that I told you. For this very reason, I will not tell you. Hopefully that will incline you to do the same that I did and grab this book off the shelf. I guarantee you will be greatly amazed at the author's description and very much appreciate the fact that you took the time to change your life. Take this opportunity and read yourself a lesson about a girl who isn't afraid to stand out on top. A girl who isn't afraid of how others think of Lani Garver. This book will make you want to be that girl.
Rating:
Summary: Richie's Picks: WHAT HAPPENED TO LANI GARVER
Review: ... Claire, who tells us the story of WHAT HAPPENED TO LANI GARVER. It is a horror story about a person--well, let's say, a being--who arrives with his mother on Hackett Island, where Claire is a native. Sporting an unusual hairstyle and graced with delicate features, it is unclear whether LANI (pronounced "Lonny") is a boy or a girl. ...Claire is a native. Her boyfriend is a member of the fish frat--"that's the sons of Hackett's commercial fishermen, who are sometimes lifeguards and usually very hunky." Her friends think she should be happy, set in her position among the high school elite, healthy after missing most of junior high due to treatments for acute juvenile leukemia. But Claire, who still has her share of problems, sees the neatly folded boxes of her life crumble when she becomes friends with Lani. And what happens as a result is a tense tale that won't let you go. "We don't talk about the drowning around the island. We don't really talk about what led up to it, either. If I hear Lani's name, it's usually in mentions of him having gone to our high school for only two days, and isn't that weird, as if the greater mysteries never existed. Maybe that's the way people need to remember it." While reading WHAT HAPPENED TO LANI GARVER, my stomach all knotted up, I kept asking myself, "Could a whole group of kids really be this horrible?" ... Richie ...
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: A part of me wishes that Lani Garver was a real person, because he fascinates me beyond words. This book was incredible. It left me near-paralyzed with emotion. If you aren't an open-minded person, then this book really may not float your boat - but read it anyway. Perhaps it will change your mind. With a twistedly funny character such as Claire leading the way, Lani's charismatic and strangely charming self falls into place well. Carol Plum-Ucci is a fantastic writer, and builds her plot and her characters strongly. I also recommend reading 'The Body of Christopher Creed,' althought I personally love this book more. I could read 'What Happened to Lani Garver?' over and over again, and still feel the same way at the end of the novel. Amazing. Truly Amazing.
Rating:
Summary: beyond words
Review: A part of me wishes that Lani Garver was a real person, because he fascinates me beyond words. This book was incredible. It left me near-paralyzed with emotion. If you aren't an open-minded person, then this book really may not float your boat - but read it anyway. Perhaps it will change your mind. With a twistedly funny character such as Claire leading the way, Lani's charismatic and strangely charming self falls into place well. Carol Plum-Ucci is a fantastic writer, and builds her plot and her characters strongly. I also recommend reading 'The Body of Christopher Creed,' althought I personally love this book more. I could read 'What Happened to Lani Garver?' over and over again, and still feel the same way at the end of the novel. Amazing. Truly Amazing.
Rating:
Summary: the book that "transcends" boxes
Review: After reading and devouring "The Body of Christopher Creed", i went in search for more books by the same author, and so i found this book. I didnt read it right away after reading some of the summaries, because i usually avoid YA books that deal with modern issues since they are almost all filled with cliches. This book manages to deal with some of the common issues that teens face without being predicable, preachy, stupid, or boring. I think one reason how the book transcends such cliches is by exploring the characters minds and motives and allowing the reader to develop an intimate connection with the main character. I love all the psychological ideas the author has involved in the book. The author definately has some sort of interest in psychology since she explains so much of it in her book -either directly or by the actions and motives of the characters themselves. If you've read "Christopher Creed" before, you'll definately be able to recognize the authors unique style. Needless to say, if you loved "Christopher Creed", you'll love "Lani Garver". If you didn't like the author's first book (although it really baffles me somebody wouldnt), this book may not be your slice of pie, but I would still read it none the less for the psychological insight the reader gains. This book really can't be stuck into categories like "mystery" or "teen issues"; this is the types of book that overcomes the need for labeling just like the title charcter does.
Ok, i'm sick of writting, just read the book. If not only for enjoyment, then for the insight you'll gain about human nature.
Rating:
Summary: Stunned by the possiblity of it all
Review: And this was a book designed for teens?? Well as an adult I enjoyed this book as much as any adult book I have ever read! As the story started I was reluctant to finish it but realized that it had captured me, I wasn't able to put it down! The possiblity of actually having a friend like Lani should make us all believe in things that cant be explained but just learn to accept them. Carol Plum-Ucci is an excellent visualist and captures more than one difficult subject and makes it come to life in the story of "What Happened to Lani Garvee," I highly recommend this book to adults and teens alike!
Rating: 
Summary: does anyone know what REALLY happened to lani garver??
Review: Before I began reading this book, I decided to check out the online reviews. Everyone raved about this book, which made me eager to read it. I found that the book wasn't as good as I had anticipated. The book leaves the reader with confusion as to what did happen to lani garver. The title should have a question mark after it because thats the question i was left w/ at the end of the book. Maybe this was the authors intent, to leave this book open-ended. but it left me unsatisfied. I did however read this extremly quickly because i couldn't put it down. This book pulls you in at first, but drops you at the end. maybe i'm not seeing what everyone else did. I say read the book and make your own decision.
Rating: 
Summary: A Thought-Provoking Good Book
Review: Cancer, homosexuality, family problems, reality, eating disorders, stress, angels, a little bit of everything is covered in this book. It deals with the harsh truth of the life of a teenage girl, but has a twist when her little reality "bubble" comes toppling down. Claire thinks that her life is good, even though she does have some problems, but they're not anything she wants to talk about with her fun-loving friends. She ends up learning numerous valuable lessons, that you too are sure to pick up on. Everything had started to go right for Claire, she was a cheerleader, was back in school, and seemed to be pretty healthy. But her whole world turned upside down when Lani Garver comes to her small island. Nobody can seem to figure out exactly what Lani is. Claire can't seem to resist her interest in this kid, and ends up telling him a lot of things that she has chosen not to share with anyone. Lani listens and helps her. But can she befriend such a "controversial" person? Calire ends up in a really big pickle to say the least. Does she befriend Lani? If she does talk to this kid, what is everybody going to think, and more importantly do? All these questions are answered and more. Claire has many more problems than she likes to tell people. They end up being told eventually, but of course there are consequences. People like to hide who they really are inside because they're afraid of rejection, and then criticize others who know more so who they are. But who are these people to sit and judge anybody else when they themselves are so confused about who they are? Lani Garver has his opinions about life and everything, and knows who he is. But he gets criticized because of his beliefs and looks. After hearing what happens to Lani and how Claire puts on such a fake identity it really makes you stop and think about yourself. Nobody should be judged based on looks, or who we hang out with, or anything such as this. We should love one another because of our differences, they're what make us special. Everybody can get a different lesson out of this book to help us improve our everyday lives. It gives you a different out look on your own life, and how you live it. This book is best for high school students who like deep reading on thought-provoking controversial issues. It's just a book that you have to read for yourself. There's no doubt that you'll want to tell the whold world about it!
Rating:
Summary: What Happened To Lani Garver
Review: Carol Plum-ucci strikes again. That woman can write! This book touches on numerous topics such as homosexuality, eating disorders, friendship, peer pressure, depression, exploration, growing up, etc. There is something for everyone and the plot keeps you hooked. Its never boring. Lani and Claire are both endearing characters what keep you interested and the mystery is addicting. this book is simply brilliant. thats all there is to it.
Rating:
Summary: Do angels really walk the earth?
Review: Carol Plum-Ucci's novel, WHAT HAPPENED TO LANI GARVER, is so unbelievably remarkable that words cannot fully express its greatness. It takes place in locations I know and the story's protagonist, Claire, is nothing short of amazing. This novel is thought-provoking. It compelled me to ask questions I'd never asked myself. And, to my surprise, it even made me cry. Usually, books do not move me all that much - this book was an exception. You will come to know and love Claire, a member of her high school elite on Hackett Island, close to Philadelphia. As I mentioned, this novel talks of many places I know, such as South Street, a whimsical place where, in real life, you can find "preps," people with countless piercings, tattoos, and hair hues, goths, rockers, etc. But WHAT HAPPENED TO... strays from labels. Enter Lani Garver. Is Lani a he or a she? Well, although it never really is determined, we suspect Lani to be a boy. It's a difficult thing to confirm because he has the long lashes and red lips of a girl. He's tall and broad-shouldered like a boy. His hair is longer than the average boy's but his hands are a bit more on the masculine side. And he hates labels. Here, he refers to them as "boxes." "Gay" is a box. "Straight" and "bi" are boxes. As are "boy" and "girl." Upon first seeing him in the cafeteria, Claire is intrigued and says she'll be his friend, much to her best friend Macy's dismay. Claire is a leukemia survivor who missed out on the junior high experience. Macy, kind and less judgemental than the other girls of her group, befriended Claire when she returned to school after being taught at home. Since their time spent together, they've collected many fond memories, many of them frozen in photographs. Macy deems Lani to be an odd character and is less drawn to him than Claire. Clearly, she gets jealous as a friendship quickly evolves between Lani and Claire. Claire incessantly worries over relapsing back into her leukemia and is always looking for symptoms - bruises darker than average blemishes and orange-tinged blood. At The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, (BEEN THERE!!!) Claire meets a doctor named Marcus, who explains to her the theory of floating angels. At first, she thinks he must be joking and laughs, despite the fact he's totally serious. Marcus explains how angels are sexless beings, that you cannot tell whether they are male or female. Immediately, Claire thinks of Lani. Oddly enough, Marcus knows him, as does the rest of the hospital staff. As their friendship grows stronger, Lani teaches Claire things she could have never possibly learned from her regular crew of school friends. Lani judges no one. He labels no one and has acceptance for everyone. Besides that, he's mind-blowingly intelligent and introduces Claire to new friends, people she immediately clicks with. But everyone on Hackett assumes Lani is gay, a box he does not want to be in, and they taunt him to no end. Claire's friends are genuinely worried about her and once they see she enjoys Lani's company and won't leave him, they go to drastic measures to try and "knock sense" back into Claire. Plum-Ucci's novel is a dazzling piece of work, what YM magazine has called, "Gripping." Yet that word barely covers it. As Claire battles personal demons and questions her own sanity, you can't help but feel her pain as she narrates her story. And as you read on, you will come to understand the sad truth of a hate crime and how those involved will always be forced to pay their dues, more or less.
| 
