Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I don't think that it's a spoiler to say that 12-year old Edward is the sole survivor of a plane traveling from Newark to Los Angeles with his family. The story follows Edward from the crash in June 2013 until June 2019 when he is 18 years old. The story gently unfolds with the author carefully bringing the reader into Edward's life and recovery (both physically and emotionally). Edward forms a quick and lasting friendship with the girl next door who helps him through his trauma. In return, he realizes that he has helped her throughout the years as well. They are like "two lost souls together," as one of my book club members so aptly put it. We meet other people in Edward's life who are helping him through: his aunt and uncle, his principal and teachers, his therapist. The format of the book alternates chapters between what is happening during the flight, and how Edward is handling 'life' after the crash. Although there is a lot of grief and sadness in the story, overall it is a very poignant and hopeful book.
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