How to Save a Life

Reader: Emily
Age: 17
Title: How to Save a Life
Author: Sara Zarr
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pub Date: 10/18/2011
Galley: No
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: How to Save a Life is a beautiful book that perfectly captures the emotions and thought processes of two very different teen girls. Jill and Mandy are thrown together, much to Jill's opposition. Jill's mom wants to adopt Mandy's unborn baby, something that Jill feels is unnecessary. Jill's father is recently deceased, leaving her confused and hollow, wishing for something other than what she has. This novel weaves together the emotional experience of a teenage mother-to-be and another teen who just wants to leave her life. Full of romance, angst, confusion and above all, accepting people for who they are, How to Save a Life is a gripping tale you will want to keep for years.
Compelling aspects of the book: Although the book is about a pregnant teenager, it does not focus on the the issues of what to do with it, but the effects it has on everyone.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: Yes
Reasons why you were disappointed with the book: It would have been nice to see what happened at the end with Mandy going to meet the father of her child, I think that it was a very sweet and touching part of the novel and wish to read more.
Cover: A peaceful cover with a lot of connotation, I think that although it is not an exact image from the book, it still represents the calmness that covers the rawness of the main characters.
Age Range: 14-18+
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it
Comments: This book should not have a sequel, but needs a longer ending.