Pieces of Me

Starred review from December 1, 2013
This unusual and affecting story ties the lives of five completely different teens together through the transplant donations of one who dies. The five teens are Jessica, a shy girl with a wealthy socialite mother; Sam, a boy who believes in miracles and spends his life blogging; Vivian, a talented artist with no social life; Leif, a football star with demanding, famous-athlete parents; and Misty, a girl from a poor, immigrant family. Four of them will receive the organs of one who dies. The ghostly donor, always watching each recipient but unable to communicate with him or her, narrates the story as the four surviving teens move toward one another and, eventually, toward the memory of the donor. At last, when one recipient appears to be in serious danger, the rest work together in an effort to help. Kizer keeps her focus on the difficult choices each character faces while effectively penning attractive, three-dimensional portraits of each. If the parents remain somewhat flat, each teen comes across as a realistic, unique individual whom readers will care for. Each has a different choice to make as well: Who will stand up to their parents? Who will reach out to others? And how will the narrator, the dead character, come to peace with death? Different, sensitive and emotional, as well as an effective argument for organ donation. (Paranormal fiction. 12 & up)

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June 1, 2014

Gr 7 Up-When Jessica is declared brain dead after a car crash, her parents donate her organs, much to her lingering spirit's despair. Jessica observes the four teens who have benefitted from her organs: Samuel, who receives her kidneys; Vivian, her lungs and a heart; Leif, who receives tissue that will help his reconstructed joints; and Misty, her liver. The narration of her slow-motion crash, paramedics' attempts to revive her, and the confusion and chaos at the hospital when her parents learn of her fate is heartrending yet not overdramatic. The isolation, loneliness, and family stress faced by the chronically or critically ill characters is poignantly captured, as is the condescending attitude often shown toward them. Conflicts between the teens and their overbearing parents create sympathy for both sides. The survivors find solace in different ways: Samuel in computers, Vivian in art, and Misty in the public library. Although the emphasis does largely shift to the four beneficiaries, Jessica coming to terms with her death and the fate of her organs is an important aspect of the story. Facts about cystic fibrosis and post-transplant recovery are delivered conversationally without feeling tacked on. Although there are multiple protagonists with complex situations, each teen is fully developed as a character. An author's note explains deviations from the common post-transplant recovery time, and facts about organ donation. Brief information about cystic fibrosis, liver disease, and kidney disease is also included. Recommended for fans of medical dramas or Chris Lynch's Pieces (S. & S., 2013).-Jennifer Schultz, Fauquier County Public Library, Warrenton, VA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2014
Grades 9-12 On one very bad day, cheerleaders engulf Jessica Chai in the school hallway and force her to cut her glistening blonde locks for their cancer charity competition. Her reward is a Halloween party invitation for that night that sets her mother on a mission to primp Jessica for optimal social belonging. Trying to find the party, Jessica has a fatal car accident, and the pieces of her become the guts of Kizer's organ-donation-centered tale. Gamer Samuel receives her kidneys, artist Vivian her lungs and heart, football star Leif receives tissue and bone, and library page Misty gets her liver. Jessica follows her donations within the recipients, wondering how much of her soul they received along with her cells. Chapters alternate with each recipient starring in his or her own recovery and life circumstances. Kizer crosses their paths while chronicling their serious health issues. Readers comfortable with spirited deceased protagonists will appreciate Jessica's support of her recipients' aspirations and impact on one another as they embrace her memory as a foundation for their interlaced futures.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)