By: Shari Maurer
Published by: WestSide Books
Released on: April 28th, 2010
Source: ARC from author
3.5 stars: It was a good read
Purchase from: Barnes & Noble
In a world where the most stressful thing seems to be winning a soccer game or what to wear in the morning, you take some really basic things for granted.
Change of Heart is a book that's been sitting on my shelf longer than I intended it to be. I'm glad I finally picked it up. It's one of those reads that kind of took me by surprise in terms of the story and how I felt about it. I started off really liking Emmi. She's the star soccer play, she's a typical teenager who loves her family, but gets annoyed with them, has great friends, does well at school etc. Than out of the blink of an eye, everything changes for Emmi. Through the course of some testing from her doctors Emmi learns she needs a heart transplant.
I liked the way Shari created Emmi's story. It was very realistic in the way they uncovered the cause of Emmi's heath problems. I also liked how Shari incorporated the vast arrange of emotions that not only Emmi felt and deals with, but her family and friends. Anger, frustration, hope, dread, worry, hopelessness, "why me" and faith that things will work out. In dealing with something on this magnitude it was nice seeing both the support system Emmi had with her family & friends and the way it effected everyone. I admire Emmi for wanting to just get back to her "normal life", being the soccer star, hanging out with her friends, getting to school, and her first love, despite having to deal with a life threatening situation.
The story is at time moving, and it gives a realistic portrayal into the lives of transplant patients. Sometimes the wait is years, sometimes months, and sometimes, sadly it never happens. Like Emmi, sometimes when the call comes and you rush to get to the hospital and start to get prepped, the surgery is canceled because the organ wasn't the right fight. One of the things I really liked about this story was the statics and the information Shari gives at the end of the story for transplants in the US. This story is powerful in the awareness it gives the reader for organ donations, and at the same time reads like a YA contemporary. There is the mention of underage drinking and a mention of non graphic sex scene.
Been trolling around for another good YA Contemporary book, thanks for the review, this one is on my list!
ReplyDeleteOh nice review. I had not heard of this one before.
ReplyDeleteRhiannon- You're so welcome! It's definitely a good read.
ReplyDeleteMelina- Thank you! Let me know if you want me to send it to you. I'd be more than happy to :)
I really enjoyed this novel. It's not an easy subject to cover and I think Shari did a beautiful job. It's great to see it being reviewed!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fantastic read. Great review! Thank-you.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, it only makes me want to read the book even more!
ReplyDeleteHeather- I agree. She did a great job on covering a sensitive subject.
ReplyDeleteRicki- Thank you!!
Melo- Thank you. I hope you enjoy it.