How to Save a Life
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4.1 • 36 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Jill MacSweeny just wishes everything could go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she's been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends -- everyone who wants to support her. When her mom decides to adopt a baby, it feels like she's somehow trying to replace a lost family member with a new one.
Mandy Kalinowski understands what it's like to grow up unwanted -- to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, one thing she's sure of is that she wants a better life for her baby. It's harder to be sure of herself. Will she ever find someone to care for her, too?
As their worlds change around them, Jill and Mandy must learn to both let go and hold on, and that nothing is as easy -- or as difficult -- as it seems.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Seventeen-year-old Jill was dealt a shattering blow when her father died unexpectedly. Since then, Jill and her mother have been distant, like "twin planets orbiting the same universe of grief but never quite making contact." Now her mother plans to fill the void by adopting a baby. As far as Jill is concerned, the plan is "lunatic," but Mandy, the pregnant teen giving up her child, is relieved. She thinks she's finally found a way to escape her emotionally abusive mother and her mother's sexually abusive boyfriend by coming to live with Jill and her mother during the final weeks of her pregnancy. Alternating between the perspectives of Jill and Mandy, National Book Award finalist Zarr (Story of a Girl) crafts intimate and authentic portraits of two vulnerable teens struggling to cope with uncertain futures. Independent and aggressive, Jill has little in common with Mandy, who's sheltered yet very observant, but they form a sisterly bond as they face personal crises. Their slow, cautious efforts to build trust and better understand the meaning of family are expressed with the deepest compassion and kindness. Ages 12 up.
Customer Reviews
amazing
the first two or three chapters are kind of slow going but after that it's impossible to stop reading!
My favorite book ever!
It was one of theses books were you're so sad that it ended!It was so different,compared to other teen pregnancy books. Say,Pregnant Pause. She kept the baby. This one, was straight up."I want whats best for this baby" By putting Lola up for adoption.
Reality
I really really like this book I really thought it was goin to turn out like a boring book but then when I started to get into and started to actually read it and understand it afterwards it turns out to be a very interesting book after all .!<it's really awesome once u start to actually read it >>>~*