Miracle

May 7, 2012
When Meggie walks away from a plane crash—the sole survivor of the small craft’s explosive landing in the forest—she is labeled a miracle by her family, friends, and small town. But Meggie, a high school senior, doesn’t feel like a miracle; in fact, she doesn’t feel much of anything. She goes through the motions of her life and pulls back from everyone, unable to remember the details of the crash yet haunted by them—sometimes literally, as when she “sees” fellow passengers at school and home. Scott (Living Dead Girl) offers a remarkable portrait of the isolation and struggle of post-traumatic stress disorder, and Meggie’s narration consistently reflects the hollow emptiness she feels as she burrows deeper into herself. Margaret, an older woman who goes to Meggie’s church and served in Vietnam, is the first to see that all is not right with Meggie, and Meggie almost feels like herself when she’s with her gorgeous neighbor Joe. Meggie’s final catharsis is powerful if graphic. A painful story of being changed, but not destroyed by a trauma. Ages 14–up. Agent: Robin Rue, Writers House.

May 1, 2012
Megan goes from being an ordinary teenager at soccer camp one day to a living miracle the next--with all the heavy baggage that comes with it. When Megan emerges from the embers of a plane crash with barely a scratch, she is hailed a miracle. However, when Megan returns to her small, rural hometown, she feels overwhelmed by both the onslaught of well-wishers and the slowly returning memories of the crash and its victims. Megan is most challenged by her parents, who are unable to see beyond her miraculous escape and fail to recognize that she is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and seriously needs help. Finding solace in strange places, Megan befriends her attractive playboy neighbor, Joe, who carries his own baggage, and a woman from her local church who is a Vietnam veteran. These two relationships enable Megan to see that she is not the only one carrying a tremendous burden and that she need not carry it alone. In addition to Megan's PTSD, this text tackles tough topics including homophobia, complicated family dynamics, alcoholism and death without flinching or sugarcoating. Told through the perspective of a well-defined and likable protagonist, this text shines a bright light on the importance of mental health. (Fiction. 15-18)

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July 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up-Everyone thinks high school senior Megan Hathaway is a miracle-everyone except for Megan. Even though she is the sole survivor of a plane crash, she cannot remember what happened and struggles to feel anything but a dull numbness. She wonders, "Why had I lived? And why-why wasn't I happy about it?" Even though she desperately wants things to go back to normal, that seems impossible, especially when friends, neighbors, teachers, and church members treat her as though she is special. Megan continues to pull away from her family and friends. She suffers from nightmares, apathy, and her own memories. Her connection with the handsome but troubled boy next door and friendship with a Vietnam War veteran help her work toward recovery. While the topic of post-traumatic stress disorder is admirably addressed, the plot and characters remain underdeveloped. Megan's passivity illustrates the behavior of someone handling the aftermath of a tragedy, but it also makes it difficult to empathize with her even as she transitions out of depression. Despite its faults, this book deals with a subject rarely seen in teen literature and could be beneficial for someone who has PTSD.-Elizabeth C. Johnson, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

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