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Overview
Trisha Thompson and her best friend Christina are having a great senior year. Trisha and her boyfriend, Cody, are making plans to attend Indiana University together in the fall, while Christina has already received a scholarship to the University of Vermont. Everything would be perfect if only Trisha got along with Christina’s controlling boyfriend Tucker, who is trying to convince Christina not to go away for college. But suddenly their lives change one night when Tucker is driving the four home from an away basketball game. When his car hits a patch of black ice and overturns, Tucker walks away with barely a scratch, but Trisha is injured, Cody is in a coma, and Christina is dead. Those left behind must learn that it takes time for their scars—both visible and not—to heal. And they must find the courage to move on with their lives.Synopsis
Trisha Thompson and her best friend Christina are having a great senior year. Trisha and her boyfriend, Cody, are making plans to attend Indiana University together in the fall, while Christina has already received a scholarship to the University of Vermont. Everything would be perfect if only Trisha got along with Christina’s controlling boyfriend Tucker, who is trying to convince Christina not to go away for college. But suddenly their lives change one night when Tucker is driving the four home from an away basketball game. When his car hits a patch of black ice and overturns, Tucker walks away with barely a scratch, but Trisha is injured, Cody is in a coma, and Christina is dead. Those left behind must learn that it takes time for their scars—both visible and not—to heal. And they must find the courage to move on with their lives.
School Library Journal
Gr 6-10 Trisha is enjoying her senior year and planning to attend college in her home state, Indiana, with her longtime boyfriend, Cody. She's especially excited for her best friend, Christina, who's been offered a scholarship to the University of Vermont, which Trisha sees as an opportunity for the teen to get away from her controlling boyfriend, Tucker. Tension mounts when the four attend a basketball game together and Tucker starts a fight with a boy who talks to Christina. On the way home, the two couples have a car accident that leaves Christina dead and Cody in a coma. After the tragedy, the story and the characters become less one-dimensional and syrupy. The question of what caused the accident provides some suspense; along with the quick pace and easy dialogue, the novel will hold the interest of McDaniel's fans. -Rebecca Hogue Wojahn, Riverside Middle School, Watertown, WI Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewLurlene McDaniel is known for bringing tears to the eyes of her faithful readers. Her expertise lies in the teen drama, covering issues from love to death and everything in between. Here the author once again tells a compelling story of one girl's struggle to face life in the midst of loss and pain.
Trisha Thompson and her best friend, Christina, are as close as sisters. Their senior year of high school is spent preparing for college and hanging out with their boyfriends. But as the four teens are en route to a game one night, Tucker, Christina's boyfriend, hits a patch of black ice and crashes the car. Trisha is injured, Cody is in a coma, and Christina dies. Overnight, Trisha's life has changed. Worst of all, the cause of the accident comes into question -- that night, Tucker's car had been approached by another vehicle full of kids who were looking to fool around. Did Tucker attempt to play their game and lose control of the car in the process? Or was it a truly unavoidable accident? Trisha must face the reality of losing her best friend and come to grips with the uncertainty. A glimmer of hope appears when Cody comes out of his coma. But Trisha's much-anticipated reunion with her love is plagued by one thing -- Cody doesn't remember her.
While the subject matter is serious, McDaniel shows readers all the good in our lives. From remembering those we have lost to looking to the future with those we love, we must hold tight to what we have. Trisha and Christina's relationship will also resonate with teens, as will the close bond between Trisha and Cody, even in the midst of his amnesia. This heartening story about survival and love will not disappoint McDaniel's legions of fans. (Amy Barkat)