Young Adult
Pages: 224
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Release Date: February 2, 2010
When a small mistake costs sixteen-year-old Eagan her life during a figure-skating competition, she leaves many things unreconciled, including her troubled relationship with her mother. From her vantage point in the afterlife, Eagan reflects back on her memories, and what she could have done differently, through her still-beating heart.When fourteen-year-old Amelia learns she will be getting a heart transplant, her fear and guilt battle with her joy at this new chance at life. And afterwards when she starts to feel different—dreaming about figure skating, craving grape candy—her need to learn about her donor leads her to discover and explore Eagan’s life, meeting her grieving loved ones and trying to bring the closure they all need to move on.Told in alternating viewpoints, In a Heartbeat tells the emotional and compelling story of two girls sharing one heart.
I really connected with this story. It felt powerful and compelling. It talks about the connection that can exist between a heart transplant patient and the donor and also, about how little we appreciate what we have. I really liked the alternating points of view of the two girls. I also liked that the after-world or the in-between world was not really relevant, just given.
I think that what I liked the most was actually the subject. I had never read about organ donations before. I had never given much thought into how it must feel to have someone else's organ inside you. And this book made me think a lot about it. I could feel my heart aching in some parts.
The characters were really well done. I think Eagan's character was really interesting, her attitude and temper felt incredibly real. Plus, I really like the cover. Overall, if you enjoy realistic fiction and exploring interesting subjects this is a great read for you.
