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If I Stay

by Gayle Forman

     

Most of us could never imagine what it would be like to be involved in a car accident in which we were the only survivor, not to mention losing our entire family in a matter of minutes.

Mia and her family decide to go on an adventure together to help pass the time.  They get in the family car and set off to visit their grandparents.  The next thing that occurs will change Mia's life forever.

Out of nowhere, a truck driving on the same country road skids out of control and in an instant takes the lives of Mia's Mom and Dad.  Her brother is severely injured and hanging onto life.  Mia is worse off than she realizes.

Waking up in a hospital is not easy for anyone, but Mia's situation is worse, since without her realizing it she is not really awake. Her body just thinks she is.  She does not know how many days have passed, but she does know she is the only survivor.

The story depicts the life of a teenager in a coma, but going through the motions of living.  Despite the fact that no one can communicate with her, they try to get Mia to fight for her life and hang on.  She thinks that she is doing this, but in fact, she is living an out of body experience with a window into the world around her.

This is a wonderfully written story about a teenager's view from inside a coma. What she feels, sees, and hears, what she has to do if she wants to pull through and live.  Put yourself into her position.  She has no family, and she is a teenager with the biggest decision of her life. Do I stay? Or, do I let go?

The Book

Dutton Books / Penguin Group
April 2009
Mass Market Paperback
978-0-525-42103-0
Young Adult Fiction
More at Amazon.com
Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Sandie Vega
Reviewed 2009
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© 2009 MyShelf.com