In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...
A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands.
This book has been highly recommended to me by many readers - students, friends, co-workers, etc. I am always a little nervous to try books like these as I am afraid I will be underwhelmed. However, this book did not leave me wanting for anything - except more time to read it! It is definitely one I will be recommending to students.
Mia is the protagonist and narrator. It is through her eyes the reader gets to experience laughter and heart-wrenching pain and grief. Her voice was strong, and a voice I felt connected to from the start of the story. I particularly liked that she is a character who is intensely loyal to her family, especially her little brother Teddy. As a ferocious big sister, I enjoyed reading about Mia's connection to her brother from the moment he was born. I also liked Mia's ambition and confidence in herself; while she admits to moments of insecurity, she is a character who has serious goals. Even when her goals threaten to take her away from her boyfriend Adam, Mia stands strong in what she wants.
The plot of this story isn't exactly action driven, but instead follows Mia's life story through her memories as she debates one of the most important decisions I can imagine anyone making - whether to fight to live, or to join her family in death. For whatever reason, I found this set-up insanely "un-put-downable." I read the book in two days! By the end of the book, I was highly invested in Mia - and her family and friends.
As far as content goes, I would feel comfortable recommending this book to almost all of my students. There are a few examples of mature language, but nothing that seemed out of control. Instead, it was integrated in a natural way, and believable out of the characters who were speaking. Certainly, nothing that would keep me from handing this book to students. One small down point, I think, would be the cover on this book, both the hardcover and paperback (which I have pictured). It's melancholy appearance is certainly appropriate to the tone of the story overall, but it's not necessarily something that would jump off a shelf to potential readers. It's a shame - this book was fantastic!
I can't wait to share this book with my students; this story was powerful, moving, and just well-written. As school winds down, I will have to keep checking and seeing when Forman's follow-up comes back into the library. I need to see what happens next!
No comments:
Post a Comment