Hit

September 1, 2014
A dual-narrator novel explores the concept of forgiveness. Budding poet Sarah is torn between two colleges: Mills, which has offered her a full scholarship, and the University of Washington, whose only appeal is Mr. Haddings. A grad student and poet-in-residence at her school, the charismatic Haddings has Sarah considering a change of plans, to the dismay of Sarah's controlling mother. Haddings knows he needs to keep the relationship professional, but he's having a hard time with that. Then, in a moment of distraction, Haddings hits Sarah with his car. Over the next three days, Sarah will cope with the pain, the accident and her worries about her future, while her family-oblivious father, brittle mother and immature brother-and her best friend try to help her. Haddings copes with his crushing guilt, usually making choices that make everything worse. Straining credulity, both Sarah and Haddings wonder if there might be a chance for them still, when the more important question is whether they can ever forgive. Plot events are sequenced poorly and depend far too much on coincidence for their effect; the dual narrative does not provide substantial additional insight, making it feel contrived as well. Stilted dialogue makes characters feel flat, particularly Sarah's brother. Forgettable. (Fiction. 14-16)

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November 1, 2014

Gr 7 Up-High school senior Sarah has everything planned for college until an attractive young poetry teacher turns her head in this alternating perspectives novel. From the teacher's point of view, he has successfully rejected the teen, but for Sarah, things are not so clear. When he's at fault in an accident that nearly takes her life, secrets are slowly revealed. Despite a promising premise for a young adult novel, this title fails in its execution. The relationship doesn't come across as romantic; readers will feel uncomfortable with its predatory nature. More troubling is the unresolved ending. The characters, especially Sarah's parents, don't come across as believable, and teens will likely not relate to many of Sarah's choices and desires. The car accident aspect is reminiscent of Gayle Forman's If I Stay (Dutton, 2009). This work might find some success with those who especially enjoy the extremely dramatic, otherwise it is an additional purchase.-Sarah Jones, Clinton-Macomb Public Library, MI

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2014
Grades 8-11 High-school-senior Sarah McCormick loves poetry, especially when it pours from the lips of her teacher, whom the students call by his last name: Haddings. But any relationship between them is forbidden, at least until Sarah graduates. Still, Sarah writes Haddings a letter and intends to deliver it to him at school, but on the way, she's hit by a car, driven by Haddings himself, and is rushed to the hospital for emergency brain surgery. The story, related in present tense, alternates between Sarah's and Haddings' viewpoints. Torn apart by remorse, Haddings cannot stay away from the place he is wanted the least: the surgery waiting room. A few plot devices, such as Haddings' eavesdropping, strain credibility. The story moves swiftly, though, and the battle for control between Sarah and her mother, introduced early in the book, is well portrayed as Sarah fights the battle for her recovery. One of the most interesting and realistic facets of the story centers on the uncertain process of recovering brain function and the accompanying emotional roller coaster of success and loss.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)