Cures for Heartbreak by Margo Rabb
SUMMARY: Black humor, pitch-perfect detail, and compelling characters make this a terrific read, despite the pain that permeates every superbly written page. Ninth-grader Mia has just lost her mother to cancer, and now her father is hospitalized with heart trouble. The story follows her first through bleak days at the hospital, then as she copes with her grief for her mother, her father's new girlfriend, and her sometimes disastrous attempts to find love. The novel's vivid New York City setting is almost another character, with vibrant descriptions of subway rides, shopping trips, and local color. Mia's early experience with loss influences everything about her life, from her bond with her father and older sister to her troubles with school and relationships. As she struggles to make sense of her mother's death and her father's illness, she also sees humor in everyday situations, and her irreverent commentary brings the story to life. (from the School Library Journal review)
OPINION: Having dealt with a friend's very sudden, painful death when I was 18, I really connected with the uncertainty, confusion, guilt, and other raw emotions that Mia survives in this story. It's not about a cure, really, but about hanging on to real life as time moves on. This could be a hard read, but the author includes a lot of dark humor that eases the emotional load and tension without being unrealistic. This story is driven by relationships, much like books by Sarah Dessen, so try this book if you are a fan of hers.
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