Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Survival Kit

by Donna Freitas (Goodreads Author)

4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 · rating details · 1,386 ratings · 198 reviews

When Rose's mom dies, she leaves behind a brown paper bag labeled Rose's Survival Kit. Inside the bag, Rose finds an iPod, with a to-be-determined playlist; a picture of peonies, for growing; a crystal heart, for loving; a paper star, for making a wish; and a paper kite, for letting go.

As Rose ponders the meaning of each item, she finds herself returning again and again to...more

Hardcover, 351 pages

Published October 11th 2011 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

What Should I Read in 2012?

46th out of 475 books — 539 voters

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn

YA Music Books

35th out of 160 books — 362 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Feb 09, 2012 Lisa O. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, swoooooon, ya-lit, pass-me-the-kleenex

4.5 stars

Close to perfect, really close. Why hasn't everybody read Donna Freitas already? That's right, because this book is not out on e-format yet, that's why. Publishing house(s), whatcha waiting for?

Ok, let me start by saying that I was choking up on page SIX.
Let me introduce myself: my middle name is cynical. I don't choke up. I just don't. This book had me swallowing tears at least 5 times. Geeze.
Unfortunately, it hit too close to home but nevermind that, it's not exactly the point. The...more 4.5 stars

Close to perfect, really close. Why hasn't everybody read Donna Freitas already? That's right, because this book is not out on e-format yet, that's why. Publishing house(s), whatcha waiting for?

Ok, let me start by saying that I was choking up on page SIX.
Let me introduce myself: my middle name is cynical. I don't choke up. I just don't. This book had me swallowing tears at least 5 times. Geeze.
Unfortunately, it hit too close to home but nevermind that, it's not exactly the point. The point is that Freitas managed to write a story that is extremely poignant and touching, that deals with the death of a beloved one (hold your horses, it is yet another of THOSE stories, but a better one) in such a sweet and intelligent way I couldn't help but wishing I lived it in a similar way.

The story starts with the death of Rose's mom. On the day of her funeral, attached to a dress hanging from her closet, Rose finds one of her mom's famous Survival Kits, with her name on it. Inside, a picture, some crayons, a paper star, a heart, a kite and an iPod. Rose will have to figure out how to put the pieces of the kit - and of her life - together to go on living.

I don't have much to say except that this is a really sweet, intense and well written book. There are some great characters which you will certainly love - Rose's self-destructive dad or her rough-round-the-edges grandma - and I wish I could have spent more time with them, I wasn't really ready to let them go.
There's also a hot hockey player/gardener involve (isn't that the hottest combination EVER? :D)

I'm not giving this book a full five star because some other characters weren't, in my opinion, as well developed as they should have been. I'm talking about Krupa and Kecia mainly, Rose's best friends, whose role as mere plot devices left them out for some big chunks of the story.

Nevertheless, for lovers of this genre, this is one book you don't really want to miss.

For this review and more follow The Nocturnal Library.
(less)

39 likes · like · see review

Feb 14, 2012 Reynje rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-to-be-hugged, cover-loving, hello-lover, playlists, read-2012, young-adult, contemp-or-realistic

Bracing yourself for an impact that never arrives is a strange sensation.

When it becomes clear that the anticipated pain is not going to make an appearance, there’s a moment of confusion before the tensed muscles release, before the flinch fades, before the shielding hands come down. A suspended second where the expectation and the reality don’t quite connect, and you have to reassess what’s going on.

As I read The Survival Kit, I think I had been unconsciously readying myself for an emotional...more Bracing yourself for an impact that never arrives is a strange sensation.

When it becomes clear that the anticipated pain is not going to make an appearance, there’s a moment of confusion before the tensed muscles release, before the flinch fades, before the shielding hands come down. A suspended second where the expectation and the reality don’t quite connect, and you have to reassess what’s going on.

As I read The Survival Kit, I think I had been unconsciously readying myself for an emotional kick in the solar plexus, only to reach the epilogue without any such violent impact. If anything, as I put the book down, I felt the distinct empty space where I had expected the strong emotional response to be. And I can’t help but think that this does a disservice to the book, and the things I actually did feel about it.

Have I confused you yet?

In a genre with no shortage of “grief books”, Donna Freitas’ writing and approach to a heavy subject sets The Survival Kit apart. Her approach is both respectful and empathetic, striking a balance between the inherent sadness of her topic and a genuinely uplifting subtext, without coming off either deliberately tear-jerky or TV-movie cheesy. The focus is on Rose’s growth, her progression through grief, and the eventual affirmation of her personal beliefs about life.

The story opens after the death of Rose’s mother, with the discovery a survival kit. A signature gift that Rose’s mother has been making for other people over the years, the survival kit is a paper bag filled with small personalised objects and mementos, like tiny tethering devices, keeping hope alive in their recipients. The sections of Rose’s story loosely centre each object in her survival kit. Originally seeing them as specific clues or pieces of a message, Rose slowly comes to find her own interpretation of the gifts, a way to incorporate them in her life and rediscover what she thought she had lost.

What was almost immediately apparent to me, and definitely a welcome change to the prevailing trend, was the lack of high school clichés to found in this book. Cheerleaders who are not stereotypes! Football players who are not written as mindless jocks! Diversity! An absence of Mean Girl caricatures. Beautifully rendered friendships. The passing of real, actual time and the gradual burgeoning of romantic feelings. (view spoiler) While there is more than a nod to what I what I can only assume is an average US high school experience, this felt refreshingly down to earth, with meaningful, well-developed relationships and a strong supporting cast of characters.

The symbolism of the items in Rose’s survival kit, while appropriate, occasionally felt a little heavy-handed and I have to question a few incidents which didn’t feel strictly realistic. Neither can I say that this book held any huge surprises in terms of the direction the plot took – the dramatic moments are not too difficult to predict.

That said, I don’t feel that this outweighs that strong positive themes running through this story. I very much appreciated Freitas’ care in showing Rose as a vulnerable, mourning character, yet also one that didn’t rely on the love interest to “save” her. This story, particularly the latter half, speaks very much to Rose’s self-determination, character growth and belief in her herself. I love the fact that while the story encompasses a range of people and events that have a direct bearing on the plot, it always remains very much about Rose, her decisions, and her passage through experiencing loss. There is a beautiful sentiment underpinning Rose’s narrative that though she has lost her mother physically, she still retains so much of her essence: in her surroundings, her daily life, her family, even within Rose herself.

Evidently, I have a lot of very positive things to say about this book, and I think it’s an exceptional read both in terms of its style and content. But to circle back to my original comments, I had expected to feel a deeper emotional connection to the story. I can’t say that my response to it was quite what I anticipated. I’d go so far as to say, for me, there a certain something lacking and I can’t entirely overlook its absence. I don’t mean to say it isn’t moving, because it really is, but I think I had been looking for a heavier, more lingering reaction.

However, I’m convinced of Freitas’ ability to write a strong, relevant contemporary story, and will definitely read her work again. I’d also recommend it without hesitation to anyone looking for a quiet, thoughtful read with beautifully developed characters.
(less)

19 likes · like · see review

Oct 14, 2012 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, library, contemporary

After finishing The Survival Kit by Donna Freitas, I had to immediately let my contemporary loving friends know how great it is. I practically burst into song with praises for The Survival Kit. You see, on first glass at the description, a reader might thing blah, joust another grief book, but I’m here to say with ALL my wisdom – don’t dismiss The Survival Kit. Donna Freitas’s style is similar to Sarah Dessen and honestly The Survival Kit is such a tender book, I loved it.

Read the rest of my rev ...more

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 25, 2012 Blueberry rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Einfach wunderschön.
"Einfach", weil die Autorin eigentlich nur die Zeit nach dem Tod von Roses Mutter beschreibt und "wunderschön", weil ihre Worte einem das Herz aufgehen lassen!

Am Anfang ist der Schreibstil noch etwas holprig, was aber daran liegt, dass die Autorin sonst eher Sachbücher schreibt. Das legt sich aber nach kurzer Zeit und wird zunehmend flüssiger und lockerer. Es ist alles aus der Perspektive von Rose erzählt, sodass man sich besser in sie hineinversetzen kann, was bei diesem Buc...more

like · see review

Nov 06, 2012 ❣Venusian❣ rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars to The Survival Kit , when I starting the book I was expecting to read a lot about grief and survival. There is a lot of emotion in this book, so deep at times that it draws you in with it. Rose is going through pain of losing her mother, she never thought she would ever lose her. But she did and now with this, everything else in her world is slipping away. She isn't the girl she used to be before her mother dies, she cannot be herself anymore.

She is pushing people away, taking care...more

like · see review

Nov 01, 2012 Tintenelfe rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Rose verliert mit 16 Jahren ihre Mutter. Ihre Trauer ist tief, sie ist wie gelähmt und schafft es kaum weiterhin am Leben teilzunehmen. Sie gibt das Cheerleading auf, trifft sich nicht mehr mit Freunden und selbst von ihrem Freund Chris kann sie keine Berührungen ertragen. Auch Bruder Jim und ihr Vater sind keine Hilfe, der eine weit weg auf dem College der andere tröstet sich lieber mit Alkohol.
Einen kleinen Lichtblick hat Rose dennoch: Am Tag der Beerdigung findet sie ein „Survival Kit“, ein l...more Rose verliert mit 16 Jahren ihre Mutter. Ihre Trauer ist tief, sie ist wie gelähmt und schafft es kaum weiterhin am Leben teilzunehmen. Sie gibt das Cheerleading auf, trifft sich nicht mehr mit Freunden und selbst von ihrem Freund Chris kann sie keine Berührungen ertragen. Auch Bruder Jim und ihr Vater sind keine Hilfe, der eine weit weg auf dem College der andere tröstet sich lieber mit Alkohol.
Einen kleinen Lichtblick hat Rose dennoch: Am Tag der Beerdigung findet sie ein „Survival Kit“, ein letzter Gruß ihrer Mutter. In der braunen Papiertüte befinden sich neben einem Bild von Pfingstrosen, einem I-Pod, einem Glasherzen und einem Papierstern auch Buntstifte und ein Papierdrachen. An der Hand der Erinnerungen an ihre Mutter lernt Rose wieder ins Leben zu gehen. Doch welchen Weg sie dabei auch nimmt, jeder Weg scheint zu Will zu führen, einem Jungen, der seinen Vater verloren hat und der Rose besser versteht als jeder andere.

Donna Freitas beschreibt gefühlsvoll und mit einfachen Worten, wie Rose in ihrer Trauer versinkt, was das Mädchen bewegt und wie sie langsam den Weg aus ihrem Schneckenhaus findet. Was zunächst aussieht wie ein Schicksalsroman entpuppt sich bald als Liebesgeschichte. Diese ist sehr zart gezeichnet und Roses Gefühle sind unaufdringlich authentisch dargestellt.

„Wie viel leben passt in eine Tüte“, im Original „Survival Kit“, lässt sich sehr flüssig lesen und hat mir eine schöne und anrührende Lesezeit beschert. Das wunderschön gestaltete Buch ist in vier unterschiedlich lange Teile gegliedert. Mir kamen hier die vier Trauerphasen in den Sinn und ich vermute, dass sich die Einteilung darauf bezieht. Die einzelnen Kapitel sind mit bekannten Songs aus Roses Playlist überschrieben und bilden den Soundtrack zum Buch.

Mir hat das Buch sehr gut gefallen und es bekommt von mir eine klare Leseempfehlung. Das Lesevergnügen wurde nur durch eine Sache getrübt: Die Geschichte bedient sich leider sämtlicher Highschool-Klischees, die ich kenne. Nicht nur, dass Rose, die beliebte, hübsche Cheerleaderin, mit dem Quarterback – selbstverständlich der begehrteste Junge der Schule – zusammen ist. Sie ist auch so beliebt, dass es kein Problem ist, wenn sie über lange Zeit alle vor den Kopf stößt. Auch alle anderen Personen sind entweder gutaussehende Sportskanonen oder haben zumindest ein anderes herausragendes Talent. Auch der Abschlussball darf natürlich nicht fehlen. Mir fiele jetzt noch mehr ein, aber ich will nicht spoilern.

Wer also Lust auf ein gefühlvolles, gut geschriebenes Buch mit einer anrührenden Liebesgeschichte mit Höhen und Tiefen hat, ist mit Donne Freitas’ Roman „Wie viel Leben passt in eine Tüte“ gut beraten.

© Tintenelfe
www.tintenhain.wordpress.com (less)

like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 Luise rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reallife

Dieses Buch habe ich als Rezensionsexemplar zugeschickt bekommen (buchbotschafter.de).
Ich bin eigentlich nicht eine, die gern Reallife-Romane liest - doch dieses Buch konnte mich schon auf der ersten Seite begeistern und schließlich, am Ende, schlichtweg begeistern.
Die Geschichte der 16-jährigen Rose ist wirklich sehr traurig und sehr real beschrieben; auch sonst hat Donna Freitas eine wunderschöne Beschreibungs-Gabe, die in diesem Buch wirklich zur Geltung kommt. An manchen Stellen war die Ge...more

like · see review

Mar 23, 2012 Paula Phillips rated it 5 of 5 stars

The start of this novel actually reminded me alot of the series "The Vampire Diaries" , not any of the supernatural part but of the character Elena Gilbert . At the start of The Vampire Diaries , Elena is grieving the death of her parents like the main character Rose is grieving the death of her mother. Before the death of Elena's parents , she was the popular girl , a cheerleader and dating the Quarterback and then after her parent's death -she left all that behind. The other book that it remin...more

like · see review

Mar 08, 2012 K rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library

As good as all the reviews claim.

Rose’s mother died on June fourth. After the funeral she discovers one of her mother’s infamous Survival Kits made especially for her. Her mom was a preschool teacher and dealt with sad parents at the start of every school year. The kits were a family project every August so that all of her new parents would have something to help them let go of their little ones. Rose discovers a hodgepodge of items in her bag and sets out to accomplish what her mother intended,...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 14, 2012 Melanie Goodman added it

After Rose’s mom dies of cancer, Rose finds one of her mother’s famous Survival Kits in a closet. Her kit includes an iPod, a picture of peonies, a crystal heart, a paper star, a box of crayons, and a miniature kite. Unfortunately, some music, art supplies, and pictures aren’t going to work any magic themselves. Rose has to use these clues to move on in a year of “firsts” without her mom.

With little interest in any of her former activities, Rose fills her time trying to take care of her alcoholi...more

like · see review

Nov 27, 2011 Barbara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: depression

When Rose's mother dies from cancer, she spirals into a depression and is unable to enjoy the activities that once brought pleasure to her. She quits cheerleading, stops listening to music, and no longer feels connected to her long-time boyfriend. When she finds a survival kit left for her by her mother, she begins to use those objects to heal, but understandably, it's a long, slow road to recovery. There are many detours and familial and romantic complications. The author clearly understands ho...more

like · see review

Sep 20, 2011 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

See My Full Review Here: http://www.hippiesbeautyandbooksohmy....

First Impressions: I was initially drawn to this book when I read the synopsis and seen similar attributes between this book and one of my favorite movies, PS I Love You. They both have very similar concepts and themes so I thought I would really enjoy reading this book.

First 50 Pages: I never read any other books written by Donna Freitas, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I immediately loved her style of writing and how realistic e...more See My Full Review Here: http://www.hippiesbeautyandbooksohmy....

First Impressions: I was initially drawn to this book when I read the synopsis and seen similar attributes between this book and one of my favorite movies, PS I Love You. They both have very similar concepts and themes so I thought I would really enjoy reading this book.

First 50 Pages: I never read any other books written by Donna Freitas, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I immediately loved her style of writing and how realistic each of her characters is. The Survival Kit is yet another book with impeccable characters that feel so alive and are easy to relate to. I gobbled up this book in less than a few hours because it was very difficult to walk away from.

Characters/Plot Points/Style of Writing: While the plot isn’t exactly original since it has been done before, like I mentioned earlier in the movie PS I Love You, it wasn’t boring or predictable in the least. The author put her own spin on an old story by using teenagers to play the main characters.

Rose is the main character and she is my favorite as well. Throughout the book, she is trying so hard to pick up her life and reboot after her mother’s tragic death. It’s this constant struggle of trying to seem normal again and it was fascinating to see her progress and how much she has changed by the end of the story. Death is never an easy topic to write about, much less write a good story about, but this author handles that tough topic brilliantly. Each person will handle death differently, and in Rose’s case she puts her whole life on pause. She seemed like the most realistic of all the characters in this story and I was rooting for her to put her life back on track. Rose’s grandmother was a hoot as well. I loved her bluntness and how she always had a way of telling it like it is. She reminded me very much of my own grandmother and I think that is why I enjoyed her character so much.

I loved how the author incorporated music into this story. For anyone who has ever lost someone, hearing songs that remind you of the person you lost can be incredibly difficult. For Rose, listening and enjoying music again is very painful to her and it becomes one of her biggest obstacles in overcoming her grief. It was just another delightful part of this book that felt very realistic to me. When my grandfather passed away, I had a very hard time listening to Eric Clapton’s song, “Tears in Heaven.” It took me a long time to overcome that hurt whenever I heard that song on the radio.

One thing I feel could have been done much better was the growing romance between Rose and Will, her gardener/boy she goes to school with. There were points in the story where I really loved what the author had done with these two characters as a couple, and other points where I had wished the author could have expanded her thoughts.

Final Thoughts: This is an outstanding, touching and realistic story about how to overcome one of life’s hardest obstacles. The author accomplishes this tough obstacle with grace and comes up with this wonderful story. For fans of P.S. I Love You, you need to read this book! It is going to be on my shelves for a long time to come!

(less)

1 like · like · see review

Aug 25, 2011 Kristi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads-giveaways, ya-lit

I received this book as a First Reads Giveaway.
If there was a half star option, I might have given this 4 1/2 stars, but there isn't and I honestly couldn't put this one down.

The story follows Rose, a sixteen year old girl, as she struggles to come to terms with her mother's death. The different family members and those around them use different techniques to deal with their grief, and overall I found it to be quite realistic. The romance in the novel is measured in pace while still reflecting...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 19, 2011 Rachael rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nothing has been the same since Rose’s mother died. Rose misses her more than anything, and her absence makes Rose’s entire life feel off kilter. When Rose finds a Survival Kit that her mom made especially for her, she realizes that she needs to at least try to heal. Her mother left her a paper bag containing a picture of peonies, a crystal heart, a box of crayons, a paper star, an iPod with an empty playlist, and a paper kite, and Rose owes it to her mother to make the most of what she’s been g...more

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 27, 2012 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was warned. When Amy suggested that I read this book immediately in an email at 1:10am, I should have known this book would cost me some sleep. She was right, I was right, and Kelly who sent her ARC home with me last weekend was right too.

I wasn't entirely sold on Donna Freitas after her first book, but I am so glad I gave her a second chance. Her characters are well developed and I found myself wanting to reach through the pages to give them a hug on numerous occasions.

As I got going, this b...more

like · see review

Dec 30, 2012 Marie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ich schwanke zwischen 4 und 5 Sternen.
Das Prinzip, mit dem Rose zurückgeführt werden soll zu einem einigermaßen normalen Leben, ist wirklich sehr berührend. Der Schreibstil ist toll, man merkt gar nicht, wie schnell man voran kommt. Aber die Reaktionen der Charaktere (vor allem von Rose und Kupra) waren für mich teilweise recht unverständlich. Obwohl Rose wirklich gut ausgearbeitet ist und ich auch eine Bindung zu ihr aufbauen konnte, hätte ich mich persönlich nicht zu so viel "zwingen" lassen....more

like · see review

Feb 27, 2012 Ellen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-high-school, realisticfiction-hs

The Survival Kit by Donna Freitas is the story of a teenage girl named Rose who has it all: she's popular, a cheerleader, and dating her high school's quarterback. But when her mother dies, everything changes. Rose is sad, depressed, and lost as she goes through the motions of each day, a shadow of her former self, remembering the past and wondering about the future. As she distances herself from her friends and boyfriend, she tries to come to terms with the absence of her mother and how things...more

like · see review

Mar 04, 2012 Madison rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: to-re-read

Wow. Just wow. I feel like there are plenty reviews full of the synopsis. So I'm just going to share my honest opinion about this book. This woman really knows how to write. I could NOT be pulled away from the story. I loved Rose and Will and all her friends and family. The right characters were tangible, and the right ones were just out of reach. It was amazing how the author was able to bring the emotions alive SO wonderfully. I giggled and blushed with Rose, and then I cried my eyes out for R...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 19, 2012 Zooey Riveria rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: borrowed, chick-lit, family, favorites, friendship, melancholy, romance, young-adult

One word to summarize this book : Beautiful.

It isn't perfect, there were quite a few flaws actually, like how the first few chapters felt a little childishly written, but I'm sure they can be overlooked.

The Survival Kit is a book about dealing with grief and loss. Rose loses her mother to Cancer and it kills her on the inside. She shields herself from emotions and blocks out anyone, and that eventually affects her social life. In fact, it affects everyone around her, and she unknowingly hurts...more

like · see review

Feb 09, 2012 Em rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oh my God! This book is so... I'm not sure how to describe my feelings right now. I finished it yesterday and I'm still speechless. Ms. Freitas writing was so beautiful and this book had my crying several times. It felt like it was my own part of a Survival Kit.

I loved, loved Rose. She was so sweet and I could defintely see why she was so lost and "empty". She was also so caring and was there for her brother and father. Even though I loved Chris, I felt like he was like a rock, weighing her down...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 30, 2012 Hrtnsoul28 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

I basically was enjoying the book. It was interesting how Rose and her family dealt with their loss. I was disappointed with the end. From the time Rose was dealing with her father's accident all the was to the end was awful. I would have liked it better if Chris and Rose got back together. I do not get how she could go back with Will who was not even there for her when she needed him. Then he ignores her for over a month. Chris was there for her after her mom died. He was there for her until sh...more

like · see review

Mar 15, 2012 Stefanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, 2012, realistic-fiction, romance, washyarg-reviews

First off, I found it refreshing that The Survival Kit didn’t fall into the common YA stereotype that cheerleaders and jocks are always villains. As many of us know, that isn’t always reality, and it bothers me that teens with these interests find so much YA fiction that writes them as the bad guys. That aside, it’s hard to find realistic fiction that isn’t edgy but gets you to feel strong emotions, but this book does it. The characters have depth, and Freitas writes an honest story about love a...more

like · see review

Nov 04, 2012 Jule rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Als ihre Mutter an Krebs stirbt, ist Rose zu tiefst erschüttert. Auch Monate danach fällt es ihr schwer, die einzelnen Tage zu überstehen. Doch Roses Mutter hat ihr ein ganz besonderes Geschenk hinterlassen: Ein Survival Kit, das ein Foto von Pfingstrosen, ein Kristallherz, einen I-Pod, Buntstifte, einen Papierstern und einen Drachen enthält. Jedes dieser Geschenke hat eine Bedeutung, die Rose herausfinden muss und wobei sie immer wieder auf den stillen Will trifft...
Donna Freitas erzählt in ihr...more Als ihre Mutter an Krebs stirbt, ist Rose zu tiefst erschüttert. Auch Monate danach fällt es ihr schwer, die einzelnen Tage zu überstehen. Doch Roses Mutter hat ihr ein ganz besonderes Geschenk hinterlassen: Ein Survival Kit, das ein Foto von Pfingstrosen, ein Kristallherz, einen I-Pod, Buntstifte, einen Papierstern und einen Drachen enthält. Jedes dieser Geschenke hat eine Bedeutung, die Rose herausfinden muss und wobei sie immer wieder auf den stillen Will trifft...
Donna Freitas erzählt in ihrem Debütroman „Wie viel Leben passt in eine Tüte?“ eine wundervoll zarte und berührende Geschichte, die unter die Haut geht.
Die Trauer, die Rose verspürt, wird von Beginn an so glaubhaft beschrieben, dass ich gleich mit ihr mitfühlen konnte, wodurch mich die Geschichte sehr fesselte. Man versteht so gut, wie schwer alles für Rose ist, was früher normal war und fragt sich, ob sie es wohl schafft, die Trauer zu überwinden und wieder anfangen kann zu leben.
Dabei ist nicht unbedingt die Handlung der Geschichte das, was den Roman zu einem wahren Pageturner macht, sondern die Gefühle, die die Autorin im Leser weckt. Diese sind zum Teil so sensibel und auch immer wieder so stark, dass ich mich ihnen nicht entziehen konnte und selbst immer wieder ein paar Tränen vergoss. Schwülstig oder übertrieben wirkt die Geschichte jedoch an keiner Stelle, sondern sehr realistisch. Das liegt wahrscheinlich auch daran, dass die Autorin in Roses Geschichte viele eigene Erfahrungen verarbeitet, wie sie im Interview erzählte (zum Interview: Klick!).
Interessant und spannend fand ich es herauszufinden, was die einzelnen Gegenstände aus dem Survival Kit bedeuten und zu erleben, was z.B. das Foto der Pfingstrosen alles auslösen kann.
„Wie viel Leben passt in eine Tüte?“ ist Roses Geschichte, wie sie mit der Trauer um den Verlust eines geliebten Menschen umgeht. Jeder Mensch verarbeitet solche Gefühle auf seine eigene Weise, sodass die Geschichte kein Rezept ist. Wenn man erst vor Kurzem jemanden Geliebtes verloren hat, sind die Gefühle, die die Geschichte erzeugt womöglich zu überwältigend. Jedoch finde ich, dass besonders die Idee des Survival Kits, eine ganz tolle Anregung und Möglichkeit ist, sich Gefühle bewusst zu machen und damit umgehen und leben zu lernen.
So hat mich „Wie viel Leben passt in eine Tüte?“ bewegt und berührt, auf eine wunderbar stille, oft schmerzliche und traurig-schöne, aber auch auf eine hoffnungsvolle Weise.
(less)

like · see review

Mar 22, 2013 Stephie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ganz kurz gesagt geht es in dieser Geschichte um die 16 jährige Rose, deren Mutter an Krebs stirbt.
Am Tag ihrer Beerdigung findet Rose ein Survival-Kit, dass ihre Mutter ihr hinterlassen hatte.
Darin befinden sich verschiedene Dinge, die ihr den Weg zurück ins Leben erleichtern sollen.

Das Buch ist in vier Abschnitte geteilt, in dem sich jeder mit einem Gegenstand aus dem Survival-Kit beschäftigt und die somit ihren Weg der Besserung darstellen.
Insgesamt zieht es sich fast über ein Jahr, bis sie b...more

like · see review

Aug 26, 2012 Jodi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: death-of-a-loved-one, romance

Found two amazing stay-with-you-forever quotes from this book! Ms. Freitas writes so beautifully and very uniquely that the tone of her voice sets her work apart from the books that I have read in the past. This is my first time reading her novel, but I am looking forward to reading more of her material if I chance an opportunity!

This book kept me super enthralled and interested (I was flipping page after page after page nonstop!) because of the themes of the book that I like to read. If you are...more

like · see review

Jun 13, 2012 ASG rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I wish it never ended! I could have followed Rose's life as if she was my friend and it was real life. I was squealing and crying throughout the whole book, I couldn't put it down! The only thing I would fix is that I felt like when she was thinking about her mom and her social life were two completely different books. Since time past so fast in the book one chapter would be completely focused on her mom and memories when you would wonder if she's going to school? or...more

like · see review

Jan 12, 2012 Cecelia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Unless you follow me on twitter (and even then), you may not know that I’ve become an intense hockey fan in the last year. Weird, huh? Here’s what happened: I moved to DC from Seattle, my hometown. I had years of indoctrination in Seattle sports fandom, and I wasn’t about to adopt my new city’s teams. HOWEVER. We don’t have NHL hockey in Seattle. And DC has a dynamic team, the Capitals. My friends are Caps fans. It took almost a year, but they converted me. *happy sigh*

What does this have to do...more Unless you follow me on twitter (and even then), you may not know that I’ve become an intense hockey fan in the last year. Weird, huh? Here’s what happened: I moved to DC from Seattle, my hometown. I had years of indoctrination in Seattle sports fandom, and I wasn’t about to adopt my new city’s teams. HOWEVER. We don’t have NHL hockey in Seattle. And DC has a dynamic team, the Capitals. My friends are Caps fans. It took almost a year, but they converted me. *happy sigh*

What does this have to do with books? Well… Steph Su mentioned The Survival Kit on her blog last year, and I was caught by the mention of a hockey player. What?! Hockey never shows up in YA books. Neither does water polo (my own sport), for that matter. If you have a sports reference, it’s inevitably football/cheerleading, or at least that’s the way it seems. So, I decided that I’d read this book, come he-double-hockey-sticks or high water (see what i did there? i’m hilarious.).

Rose, the recipient of the Survival Kit that gives this book its name, is dealing with grief and loss. She’s turned off emotions, she’s avoiding conflict, and she’s having trouble keeping it together. Enter a special kit, good friends, and a possible distraction in the form of schoolmate Will… and you have Rose’s perfect storm. Nothing is easy for Rose, and that, combined with descriptions of hope and struggling through pain, turn this from a clichéd ‘Mother dies’ novel into a complex rendering of an unthinkably sad situation.

What I liked: well, obviously the hockey. Unless you break out in hives at the mention of sport, this inclusion should be interesting to you. And yes, there are mentions of football and cheerleading to round things out. Freitas also does a great job of incorporating life (friends, guys, family dynamics) in with honest dialogue. The emotion was real. I teared up a time or two.

What I didn’t like: actually, the only thing I will mention here is the prose itself. And that was one chapter. The majority of the book worked, in other words. Just uneven in one, solitary place. I warned you.

Recommended for: fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti (good YA contemporary romance, in other words), and those who find themselves even the tiniest bit curious about hockey.(less)

like · see review

Jun 02, 2012 Kellee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-teen, romance, realistic-fiction, music, death-or-dying, mental-health-depression, teach-mentor-texts

Reviewed at:
http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2012/...

4.5 stars

Rose's mom makes Survival Kits for those who need reminding of the good things in life. After she passes away, Rose finds a kit that her mom made for her. At first Rose avoids looking inside. Then, when she finally looks inside she finds a mix of things that at the moment don't mean much, but she knows will lead her to finding a way to make it without her mom.

This book was perfectly put together. I read it in one sitting. Sometimes...more

like · see review

Feb 12, 2013 JessAnn rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone dealing with a loss

Recommended to JessAnn by: Myself.

I chose this book, based on the description, in the hopes that it would give me some guidance on how to deal with a loss of my own. I read it completely, cover to cover, in one day, exactly ten days after my grandmother, who had shaped my life in so many ways, passed.

Did it help with my sorrow? Perhaps. I've been ignoring it and this book, with the narrator's first person view into her emotions, helped to bring it out into the light.

Was this a good book? I'm not sure. Would I have liked it as mu...more

like · see review

Jun 23, 2012 Wafiyah rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Wafiyah by: Goodreads

Shelves: favourites, contemporary-romance, tear-inducing, family, guilty-pleasure, great-protagonist, interesting, romance, tragic

How I came upon a book this good is beyond me, honestly, but I can tell you I'm so glad I read it. I'm not much into the "tragedy" and "family dead" sort of plots, but while reading this book, it seemed well-planned so I gave the go-ahead to myself. And I really did love this book, especially with Will, the numerous awesome friends, and Jimmy. (I really cannot get over Jimmy.) One thing I really liked about this book was that Rose wasn't shown as some sort of snob or whatever the stereotypes sho...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
General thoughts on this book...? Note- this discussion will most likely contain spoilers. Reader discretion is advised.	4	9	Jan 20, 2013 08:13pm

combine
Other Editions (3)

Genres

Young Adult

69 users

Romance

42 users

Contemporary

40 users

Realistic Fiction

26 users

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

19 users

Death

15 users

Music

15 users

Young Adult > Young Adult Contemporary

15 users

Young Adult > Young Adult Romance

8 users

Family

6 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Virtuosity
by Jessica Martinez
The Probability of Miracles
by Wendy Wunder
Amplified
by Tara Kelly
A Little Wanting Song
by Cath Crowley
Past Perfect
by Leila Sales

Books by Donna Freitas

Sex and the Soul: Juggling Sexuality, Spirituality, Romance, and Religion on America's College Campuses

The End of Sex: How Hookup Culture is Leaving a Generation Unhappy, Sexually Unfulfilled, and Confused About Intimacy

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Wie viel Leben pa...

2 trivia questions

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from The Survival Kit

“Why is it that when we lose something big, we begin to lose everything else along with it?” — 4 people liked it

“It's difficult to stop trying with the one you love. You always hope that this next time might work, might change everything for the better.” — 4 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: The Survival Kit
avg rating	preview: The Survival Kit Goodreads rating: 4.00 (1386 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10191879-the-survival-kit?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317067595l/10191879.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10191879-the-survival-kit?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Survival Kit by Donna Freitas[/url]

The Survival Kit

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website