In the wake of her father’s death, of all the coping mechanisms out there Jill cannot believe that her mother has chosen adoption. Adding a life will not balance the loss that she feels every waking moment, the loss that indented a grief so deep that it’s transformed innocent, nice Jill into a prickly, angry Jill who has no friends and no boyfriend. It would be a small consolation if her mother Robin had gone through the proper channels, but no. Robin is working outside an adoption agency. No lawyers, no social workers, no middlemen or legal-binding contracts. Robin’s picked Mandy herself, who is coming to live with them from the final weeks of the pregnancy up to the delivery. To Jill the idea is simply absurd but on top of that, Mandy has not been forthcoming in answering their questions about her situation. But Mandy, the product of an unplanned teenage pregnancy herself, may need Jill’s friendship and Robin’s love just as much as the baby just as Mandy’s stay may be the catalyst for Jill to start living again.
I read Sara Zarr’s Sweethearts awhile back and while the memory of the writing has stuck with me, I was slightly let down by the ending so I hadn’t picked up any of her other novels. It was with the assurance of a few positive reviews from trusted bloggers and hearing that it may be her best yet that I decided to give it a try. I still can’t help hearing The Fray song on repeat every time I look at the book or think of the title but what has also lingered is the nuanced characters and the sharp, evocative prose. I can’t remember the last time I’ve read such a poignant contemporary novel. It hurt watching Jill flounder without her dad as an anchor and rudderless, steer clear of her family and friends. Not every reader will relate to Mandy’s mid-western upbringing and her naivete at first, but she quickly won me over in her determination to do what’s right for her baby regardless of the consequences for herself. Mandy’s lived with a serious lack of love in her life and without having experienced anything like it I ached for her in moments like these:
I would sometimes lie in bed at night and wonder, Does it matter anymore to either of them that I exist? Do I exist? I would run my hand down my arm to make sure I was still there…
One night when I touched my arm, I started to doubt I was really there. I pinched the skin. I dragged a fingernail across my collarbone until it stung. I got up and looked in the mirror. I didn’t know if I could believe what I saw, that I was there, that I was me. I touched the mirror where my face was. I put my cheek to it and breathed on it until my breath condensed on the glass. But I still wasn’t sure. The only sure sign I had that I existed was the ripple of life inside of me.
That night I decided I would leave.
Sigh. Those descriptions of a solitary, lonely life – Sara Zarr excels in them. Mandy’s situation feels so heartbreaking yet real that you just know there is someone out there that’s felt this way. There are several heavy topics at work here, the main ones being loss, grief, abuse, and teen pregnancy. But there is also much needed comic relief sprinkled throughout the novel, which comes not only from Jill’s biting, dry wit and Mandy’s clueless moments but also from Jill’s on-and-off again boyfriend Dylan and the new guy at work, Ravi tempering the weightier parts of the narrative. There is a very sweet and rewarding romantic subplot here but the real, well-earned satisfaction of reading How To Save A Life comes from Jill facing her grief and Mandy finding love. By the end you’ll know undoubtedly what needs to happen but the solution still hit me, big epiphany style, with its ingenuity and flawless fit. From the assured writing to the authentic characters, How To Save A Life is a book that will both pluck at your heart strings and make you grin to lasting effect. Without hesitation I will be picking up other novels from Zarr’s backlist in the future.
Second Opinions
All-Consuming Books Review
Angieville Review
Book Smugglers Review
Pure Imagination Review
Steph Su Reviews Review
I keep thinking of The Fray song too whenever I see this book! I’ve never read anything by Sara Zarr but this one looks promising, I’ll try to pick it up the next time I want a contemporary YA read.
I know, I still cannot get the song out of my head. Yes – DO pick it up sometime.
Just about EVERYONE whose reviews I trust most have now read and loved this book. The synopsis really doesn’t appeal to me very much but I think I’ll be having to give in and read it soon thanks to you!
Yeah, I just tried to sell it to my sister and she couldn’t get past the death of Jill’s father and Mandy being pregnant. It definitely did not appeal to her. You are welcome for the review! I hope you like the book.
I’m so excited to read this.
I have my copy waiting for me and I plan to make time for this real soon. I’m curious to hear what you think about Once Was Lost, too – that’s my favorite Zarr so far. They say this is her best, though, and that’s what I look forward to most. 
Ooh, yes, I hope you get to it soon! And good to know. Once Was Lost is first on my list of her backtitles.
It’s hard to admit, but I bet there are many who has felt that sort of loneliness, and who have questioned their existence. There are times it does seem unreal.
I think of the song too every time I see this book cover, and I’m glad to hear the book is worth the read.
Yeah, exactly. Unreal but real at the same time. I don’t hate the song but I think I need to put the book away so I don’t keep seeing the title and getting it stuck in my head.
I was pretty disappointed with Sweethearts as well (Cameron Quick come back I’ll hug you better!) but couldn’t fault Zarr’s writing style, it was compelling and tightly paced. Glad to hear How to Save a Life is even better and I might keep an eye out for it at the library. But seriously that title? Nobody likes that Fray song!
Oh, it’s not bad. I definitely haven’t wanted it in my head ever since I bought the book though! I hope you’re able to check it out sometime.
I just finished this one, and it seems like the most upbeat Zarr I’ve read! :–) I did feel badly about Dylan though – what a shame to give up such a great boyfriend!
I hear you. I liked Dylan too but Ravi? He was great as well. Her most upbeat book you say? Hmm, I wonder if I’ll like her others.
I haven’t picked up any of Zarr’s books because I was also disappointed with how one of them ended (Although I read Story of a Girl-which happens to be her debut, I think, so maybe I was too harsh? lol.). But How To Save A Life sounds like it’ll be different. I actually saw it at B&N on Friday and I thought of your review, along with Angie’s.
Oh. Good to know. *Grin* that’s nice to know you thought of me.