if i stay by gayle forman

If I Stay by Gale Forman

196 pages

Gateway Nominee

It took me quite a while to get through this book, but that is no reflection on the story, or the writing. I go in spurts. I had read so many deep books at the beginning of the year (seems this year's theme for award books is definitely dark issues) I guess my brain needed some down time to not think about anything. (Good thing Jersey Shore started back up!)

(from jacket cover)

"Just listen," Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.

I open my eyes wide now. I sit up as much as I can. And I listen.

"Stay," he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones. Stay true to her first love-music-even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?
Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.



Mia and her family are driving to their Grandparent's to visit on a snow day from school, when they get into a vicious car wreck. Mia is alive, but barely.