If I Stay by Gayle Forman

http://www.ifistay.com/

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (April 2, 2009)

Synopsis:

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones. Move to New York City to pursue her true love — music — or stay with her boyfriend, family and friends

Then there is a horrible accident. And suddenly all of her choices are gone. Except for the one choice that truly matters.

My Review: YYYYY

It is a beautiful February morning as the snow begins to fall, and although it is not a blizzard it becomes enough to close the schools for the day. Mia's hip and post hippie parents decide to make it a family day and soon Mia, her parents and little brother pile into the car and head off onto a family adventure. Mia, a budding Cellist, is about to face some very important choices in her life, to stay with her family, friends and boyfriend in Oregon or travel to New York and fulfill her dream. But the day's adventure is not about future worries, today she is content with her family and their adventure while listening to Beethoven, when the car spins out of control on an icy road.....

Mia soon becomes an invisible bystander, a witness to the horrible events that are unfolding before her. From this perspective she knows that her Father and Mother are dead and younger brother, Teddy, is seriously injured. She sees her body cling to life in a nearby ICU, shuttled in and out of the operating room, all the while questioning..... is she already dead? In between these events of the present trauma she recalls the poignant moments of her life. The first time she saw the Cello and knew that it was meant for her to play, the birth of her younger brother Teddy and how he held her gaze when he came out of their mother's womb, her first kiss with her budding rock star boyfriend Adam, her infamous fight with her BFF kim and the countless moments with her beloved parents. Mia takes this all in as her memories intertwine with present events and then the unthinkable happens, adding to Mia's heartache and leaving her broken and forever changed. How can she go on....

Then she has to make the most important choice. Should she make the effort to will herself back or should she take the easy route and allow herself to die? In order to find that out, you will have to read it or wait for the movie that is set to come out in 2011.

I had to wait a couple of days to make this review, because I was so filled with emotion over this book. I laughed, I cried....this book stayed in my mind for days. Gayle Forman, wrote a compelling life afirming novel. The seem less interjection of Mia's memories intertwined with her traumatic situation were flawless. The story flowed so well with its moments of great humor, passion and insight, just like the notes played by a Cellist....humming through your soul and it leaving you breathless from the experience. If I Stay, is a heart achingly beautiful read and a true testament to the power of love, family and the choices that we make. I highly recommend reading it, but also recommend having tissues handy :)

If I Stay Video