Lost again. Amber Borden has the worst sense of direction ever. Now, she's late to what could be the most important party of her life (as a teenager, everything is the most important thing of your life). After a serious of unfortunate events, Amber finally makes it to her destination covered in mud. She is fashionably late, however she quickly finds that her presence at the party is not welcome. Over hearing what the "popular girls" really think of her, Amber is infuriated and heads home. Her luck seems to be changing when she opens a letter that grants her full-ride scholarship to the university of her choice. Her moment of luck, however, quickly ends as she is hit by a mail truck and dies.
In the afterlife, Amber reunites with her late grandmother. Her grandmother gives her the opportunity to stay, or return to her life and family. Amber, realizing the grief it would cause, chooses to return to her life. She heads down a path of light on her way back to reality. Amber, with her terrible sense of direction, takes the wrong turn and ends up in the body of the most beautiful and popular girl in school, Leah. .
On an adventure to desperately return to her body, Amber learns about Leah's "perfect" life, including her overcontrolling father. Will Amber ever return to her own body, or will she be stuck as Leah for her entire life?
Popularity is very important to young adults. Feeling excluded and unwelcomed in any situation is mortifying and the "end of the world" for many teens. Though unrealistic in its premise, this book is a fun way to learn life lessons about money, friendship, an appreciation of the life that they have.
6 comments:
Mallory,
This book seems so interesting! I like the fact that it deals with the issue of 'fitting in' because this is difficult for many teenagers and even adults to handle. The added supernatural element allow the author to teach readers that the grass is not always greener on the other side. It also can teach empathy and understanding to the situations of others.
Mallory - wow! This book sounds like it's loaded with "hit you" moments! And I agree with you that books that have these sorts of unrealistic premises can be an interesting way to have readers learn important lessons. (Hopefully, though, readers wouldn't be thinking "this could never happen" and dismiss the book entirely.)
Just curious, what age group would you recommend this book for? And what content area(s)?
-Heather
This book seems like a great way to discuss the issues of 'fitting in' which is something all teenagers deal with. It is also does so in a creative way that students would relate to. I want to know if she ever gets back to her body!!? I also think it would show students the grass is not always greener on the other side. Since the book deals with death and spirituality I wonder if some parents would object to it for religious purposes.
Mallory-
What a creative premise! I thought overall your hyperlinks were very helpful and I like how, overall, they focus around mental health and coping with and solving teen problems. Adolescence is a time when children are developing social cognition skills and trying to find out who they are and where they fit in. I think showing that even those who are seemingly perfect have problems of their own, teaches an important to teens.
I love your review! It makes the book sound so interesting. I can't wait to read it
I also like how this book has many facets. one that stands out though is when she realizes Leah's life is not what it appears either. I think sometimes students forget that thier peers all face problems of some sort.
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