Author:
Genre: Young-adult fiction
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Pages: 320
Rating:
High School 4 (recommended)
This book is meant for 14+ years of age. The age range reflects readability and appropriateness. This book would be perfect for high school students who are interested. This book is written in more of a higher reading level. I gave this book a 4 for my recommendation because it will be readable and enjoyable to most students. It is very easy to follow along and understand what is going on in the story, it gives great mental pictures, and it will give the more advanced readers more of a challenge.
Summary:
Mia is a 17 year old very gifted musician with plans to attend Julliard. Her parents were also punk rockers back in their day and she had a 7 year old brother named Teddy. You could say this family really loved each other. One day, because of a huge amount of snow fall, the kids had a snow day. The family decided to go on a road trip to visit friends when suddenly a truck struck their car. Mia was is on the edge of life of death. She is in a coma and has an out of body experience after the crash. She sees everything that happened after the crash and the events that happen in the hospital. Of course she was so scared and concerned for her family but she soon found out her parents died instantly and her brother made it to the hospital but didn't make it. Throughout the movie it shows many flash blacks of Mia and her family. One of the flash backs explains her love for a talented guitarist named Adam. But because of the accident he wasn't able to see her to tell her he loves her too. Her grandparents are the only family left in her life. While Mia is still in her coma, she hears two nurses telling the grandparents that its her decision if she wants to fight to live or not. Her grandpa is holding her hand telling her that it is okay if she wants to go and how much they love her. Adam finally gets to the hospital and rushes into her room. He kisses her on the lips and tells her how much he loves her. Does the power of his love make her fight to live or does she let go?
Educational Purpose:
I feel this book could show many things to high school students. It shows them how fast life can be taken from you. It shows to always tell your loved ones how much you love them and appreciate them. The most important purpose is to watch what you say to others. I can't imagine what it would be like to say a rude comment and bully someone and then the next day they are gone. After I read the book and watched the movie, I drove home just to tell my parents how much I loved them. I called family and friends who I haven't seen or talked too in a long time just to let them know how much I appreciate them. This book really teaches the value of life and how we should live it to the fullest!
This was such a great movie and your review made me want to go get the book and start reading it! I think for the educational purpose you should have them write a letter to someone each week to someone that they love or has made an impact in their lives. This will allow them to keep reading the book to see what happens and also will work on their writing skills as well.
ReplyDeleteI liked that you picked a book that has a movie. The movie could pull people in to reading the book. I like that in your classroom purpose you said that is would work because high school students can relate.
ReplyDeleteThe summary has great details and really draws me in. I would like to read and also watch the movie.
ReplyDeleteThis is another movie I will not watch till I have read the book. Your review was really good. Your summary was well written and I really want to know what happens next. I think many high school students would be interested in this book. This book would be great as a Literature Circles book too!
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