Sia
For this review and more, visit Such a Novel Idea.======
If I were to sum up this book in one word it would be sweet.
There was something about this book that kept me reading. I finished in one sitting. The story was interesting, although the dialogue was awkward and the writing seemed like it was more for a younger YA or middle grade than YA.
The other issue was that everything seemed to work out TOO perfectly. Sure there was conflict, but it seemed contrived. There were some great opportunities to up the tension and make it more realistic that were really missed.
Even though there were a lot of overdone cliches, I felt like this was a fresh story. It wasn't something I've read over and over again. Usually this type of story is told from someone who died and is trying to come to terms with the person they were. Sia got to do that in her own life. A real second chance. The most important thing to me was that I wanted to kept reading. I was interested. And that means something to me. Despite a few minor flaws, the story kept me engaged.
AND the book's message was great -- can you imagine waking up with a blank slate? All the bad things you had done were wiped from your mind and you could become the person you really wanted to be? Sia was able to see herself for who she was and who she wanted to become. She was suddenly on the outside looking in. A lot of us could use that perspective about ourselves. We can easily get focused on 'me' and Sia showed us there is more to the world than that. And the book just made me feel light and happy. So, even with the rose-colored glasses, I was entertained.
If you have a younger teen who has been bullied or has conflict (hello, who doesn't!), this book has a great message. It is a clean, quick read, that will inspire you to become a better you.