What Happened to Lani Garver

Rating:
Summary: There are no words...
Review: This is a book like no other. Many times it has been said that "What Happened to Lani Garver" is not just the average teen book, and that is more than true.

When Claire, the typical first-person problem-teenager dishes out her problems to you in the first chapter, it seems like it is just that, however. But the way she tells them also piques your interest with her mention of the indian summer and the way she narrates with elegance while also convincingly filling the role of a once-cheerleader highschool beauty queen. It may seem hard to fathom to some that a book could possibly start by telling you of the death of a main character and summarizing the book for you, right in the prolouge, without ruining the impact the book has. But having read this masterpiece, you will understand. In fact, there are many, many things you will understand, even things you thought you were sure about, especially hate crimes and homophobia.

As I often do, I found that this book had great characters. Claire is ironic in her narrative, something I find fascinating, but the real star of the show was Lani himself. Now, I am in no way a religious person, so some of my friends thought I was crazy when I started to rave about a book that involved the concept of angels. But Lani is not a subject of God, or a God-fearing purist. Lani is just---Lani. Charismatic, intelligent, kind, but also definitly masculine Lani. He is the sort of character that you can't stand to think isn't real.

When you finish this book (because you must buy it, there is no question on that front), though, you will realize just how much hits home, and you yourself will wonder not just what happened to Lani Garver, but what is happening to our world. This is the sort of book that has the power to change a generation, if only people would read and accept it. So when you read this book, tell everyone you know to read it too. It's not just entertainment.

It's truth.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: This is a wonderful book, even better than The body of christopher creed" also by this author. Lani Garver is intelligent beyond his years and such a incredibly kind person. But because he is different and refuses to let himself be categorised by anyone, he is picked on and treated cruelly.
Both Lani and Claire, the protagonist, are very likeable characters. Claire has a very endearing naivety and it is easy to relate to her feelings about her family, friends and Lani.
I would say this is a great book for anyone homophobic to read as it really makes you question your assumptions. Lani is a very enigmatic character, just like Christopher was. If there was one thing I didnt like about the book, it was the give-away first chapter which kind of summed up the story. Even so, it still manages to keep you in suspense.
The book made a very large impact on me and I think it will teach us not to marginalize people.It will also leave you wondering, "What happened to Lani Garver?"

Rating:
Summary: A must-read!
Review: This is absolutely one of the best books that I've ever read. It gives a strong and much needed perspective on predjudice and judgement. It envoked so much emotion in me. I laughed, I cried, and I screamed in anger. I originally checked it out of the library thanks to a friend's raving, but afterwards I went out and bought my own copy. It's a very important book. So many people need to read this.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome Book
Review: this is an awesome book. i loved the characters lani, claire and ellen. words can not express this book it is just too good. it had so many different layers after u stop reading it u can't stop thinking about it. this book is about claire. she is a cancer survivor and part of the popular group at school. then she meets lani and her world is turned up side down. no one knows if lani is a boy/ girl or gay or bi. claire soon becomes friends with him and her friends desert her. claire has to face wut is right and wrong through this book. like i said before it is a great book.

Rating:
Summary: Not to good... long and boring... and chilling...
Review: This story is based on Claire, a popular teenager who lives on tiny Hackett Island in New Jersey. At the time the book starts, she is recovering from leukemia, dealing with her mother's drinking, and facing her father's new marriage. One day her friends at school start making fun of a new kid named Lani Garver. Because of his looks, no one can tell if he is a boy or girl. She starts to befriend Lani because he helps her with the problems she is facing and helps her face a new problem. During the course of the book, Claire is debating whether Lani is what some call a floating angel. A floating angel is an angel disguised as a person who goes around helping people but not telling them who they are. I would have to say my favorite character would be Lani. He went through so much as a street child, and he is still able to help other people. I can't say I enjoyed this book. I felt too much detail was put into the book, making it boring in parts. Popularity, prejudice, people's sexuality, and the drama of cancer are put into this book. I rate this book a C+.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: What Happened to Lani Garver is one of the best books I have ever read. The protagonist, Claire, is believable and most teens can relate to her in some way. Claire is hiding the fact that she worries about having a relapse of leukemia and that she has an eating disorder. When she meets Lani, they become friends, and he helps her change and become a better, healthier person. The question of whether or not Lani really was an angel is left unanswered, which is probably just as well because then each reader can decide for themselves. You should definetly read this book. It is absolutely wonderful!