If I Stay
December 14, 2009 nicoleuhl
Seventeen-year-old Mia has basically everything any teenager could ever wish for. Crazy, but loving parents. A “rockstar” boyfriend who loves her, and an adoring little brother. Mia has a great love for music and is an outstanding celloist. Her life isn’t perfect, but pretty close to it.
One morning the family wakes to find that school and work are cancelled due to a snow storm. This is where our story begins…Since there is no school and no work, the family decides to take an outing to their grandparents house. On the way to the grandparents house, the vehicle skids on the ice and crashes into another car. Mia is shocked to find that not only one, but both of her parents are dead. Lying in the hospital dying, Mia has to make the most important decision of her life…To stay or not to stay.
I really enjoyed this book. Not one that I will easily forget. Gayle Forman decided to have the story told from the point of view of Mia, first-hand during her struggle with herself and this tough, life-changing choice. By having the story told from her point of view and her perspective, it really allowed the reader to connect and relate with her. I don’t think that the story would have been nearly affective if she had not used this.
Throughout the book, Mia is able to reflect on her past but also on what may be ahead in her future if she stays. Having this general theme through the book, really seems to have an effect on its readers. This is what makes it a great read for both teenagers and adults.
Tragedy…there is quite a bit of it in the book. But despite the tragedy, If I Stay is an uplifting book. It really makes the reader reflect. You have to be a great writer to successfully have those opposite emotions portrayed in one book. I applaud Forman for doing this.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
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