Author: Cammie McGovern
Year Published: 2014
Genre: YA Romance/Fiction
Pages: 343
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Location (my 2014 Google Reading map): USA (California)
FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my school's library
Summary (from the inside flap of the book): Amy and Matthew didn't know each other, really. They weren't friends. Matthew remembered her, sure, but he remembered a lot of people from elementary school that he wasn't friends with now. Matthew never planned to tell Amy what he thought of her cheerful facade, but after he does, Amy realizes she needs someone like him in her life. As they begin to spend more time with each other, Amy learns that Matthew has his own secrets and she decides to try to help him in the same way he's helped her. And when what started out as a friendship turns into something neither of them expected, they realize that they tell each other everything--except the one thing that matters most.
FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my school's library
Summary (from the inside flap of the book): Amy and Matthew didn't know each other, really. They weren't friends. Matthew remembered her, sure, but he remembered a lot of people from elementary school that he wasn't friends with now. Matthew never planned to tell Amy what he thought of her cheerful facade, but after he does, Amy realizes she needs someone like him in her life. As they begin to spend more time with each other, Amy learns that Matthew has his own secrets and she decides to try to help him in the same way he's helped her. And when what started out as a friendship turns into something neither of them expected, they realize that they tell each other everything--except the one thing that matters most.
Amy is a great character. She has cerebral palsy, uses a walker, cannot talk, uses a Pathway (computer that speaks for her), and is smart as a whip. She doesn't want pity and has high goals for herself. Her mother, however, has big social goals for her and hooks Amy up with peer helpers each day at school who are to introduce her to three new people each day. What I liked is that Amy has, in addition to her CP issues, all the regular teenager issues: homework, family expectations, friends, and crushes. Matthew is also a good character. He truly cares about Amy, wants to be helpful, and is struggling with OCD. Amy and Matthew help one another navigate their final year of high school, college applications, first jobs, dating, and complicated friendships.
I was caught up in the story from page one! I wanted Amy and Matthew to figure out their issues, find peace with themselves and each other, and I was inspired by the personal work they did even when things didn't work out the way they wanted things to. This book is inspirational, sad, funny, touching, and just so darn good!
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