Book Review: In A Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth

Title: In A Heartbeat
Author: Loretta Ellsworth
Pages: 212
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Year Published: 2010

"Amelia lived because Eagan died. But Eagan isn't gone completely."
"When a small mistake costs Eagan her life, she leaves many things behind- including her heart, which now lives on in Amelia's body. From Eagan's vantage point in her own version of heaven, she relives vivid memories through her still-beating heart and is distressed by her troubled relationship with her mother. Unable to move on without resolving her past, Eagan is trapped...
 Despite her mixed emotions of joy and guilt about her new chance at life, Amelia feels lucky to be alive. But when she begins to take on strange new characteristics, Amelia wonders if her heart donor is trying to tell her something. is it too late for Amelia to help the girl who saved her life?"

My Rating: 4/5

This book deals with a mature issues of disease and although it's hard to deal with I found that the author sugar coated things a little too much for my liking. I think that this book could have been longer and more complex. I liked the idea of the topic and how we get to see from two different point of views. I think that it might be the fact that I'm used to books giving me the harsh facts of reality, that I thought this book was based for a younger age perhaps. I didn't mind the book, it just wasn't all I hoped it would be. I think that this book did teach me though, how important it is that I mark on my licence that I want to donate my organs if I die. Just because I'm going to die at a certain time doesn't mean that someone who has been sick for a long time shouldn't have the chance to live. That aspect of the book is what made me rate it an eight.
THANK YOU LORETTA ELLSWORTH FOR HELPING ME UNDERSTAND WHAT I GIVE TO SOMEONE FOR FREE!

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny ♥♪♫

Spoiler: In A Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth

I'm going to give my opinion, as I usually do, and so if you don't agree you can comment below with your opinion. I didn't like this book nearly as much as I thought I would. I didn''t hate it but it just wasn't what I expected and wanted it to be. I thought we'd get to learn more Eagan. I understand that this book could have gone on forever if we did, but I think we only got to see bits and pieces and I wish they had been more detailed. All in all I wonder if maybe this book wasn't made for older young adults and was rather aimed at those who are just becoming teens. I did like seeing from both the donor side of the view and the receiving end. The best part of this book, was that it helped me understand that on my driver's licence I want to put that I am an organ donor. It showed me that even after I'm gone, I can still give someone the gift of life.

Characters:
Eagan: This book starts out with Eagan talking about how she dies. She does it in a light and humorous way which I liked, but getting into the book and reading more about her I didn't really like her. I understand that her mother pushed her to skate a bit to hard, but it's not like she hated it. She seemed to love it. I didn't like the way she snapped at her mother and while I can understand that she was upset about learning that she wasn't really an only child, I thought that she could have handled it better. In the end I thin that she was grateful for what she had and it was touching to see her forgive her mother in the way she did.

Amellia: I was shocked when Amellia turned from the girl we saw in the beginning to taking on parts of Eagan's personality, but it did her good in the end. I mean after all she got to change and learn more about herself. I was disappointed when she took on the back talking to her mom thing though. In the State's it must cost a fortune to undergo a transplant. I liked that she ended up with Ari and I suppose they'll live a long, happy life together.

Scott: I think that Scott was incredibly hurt by losing Eagan and I thought that maybe he would get together with Amellia , but since she's already taken he just goes on remembering Eagan through her. I think that he really holds himself responsible for Eagan's death and it's not right. He may not have been there but if he was he would hold the image of Eagan dying in his mind.

Ari: He's a sweet boy who knows how to take care of Amellia and when he drives her to meet Eagan's family it's the sweetest gesture I've ever known.

Miki: I think that Miki was Eagan's sister who died before she was born. It all adds up she doesn't have a name, and Eagan's grandma says she's there with her two girls. Click!


Moments to Remember:
♥Pg. 51
"'You're doing fine. Just keep it consistent.'
 'I'll keep it consistent, all right.'
 'And don't talk back.' Grandpa tried not to smile but I saw one brewing beneath his white mustache. he liked that I sassed him back, but he'd never admit it."

♥Pg. 141
"'It's your favorite movie,' she said as I opened it.
 'Pretty Woman?' I pulled the DVD from the bag. 'Thanks.'
 Aunt Sophia raised her eyebrows. 'Your favorite movie is a Cinderella hooker story?'"

♥Pg. 181
"'You're the only girl I could impress with a peanut butter sandwich.'
 'It's not just a sandwich. It's the thought behind the sandwich.'"

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny xoxo