Don't Cry for Yesterday

Why Me? #3

by Deborah Kent

Shattered Dreams She has big talent to go with her dreams, but in a moment of recklessness, Amber Novak's life is changed forever. Suddenly, her life as a singer with a newly formed rock band seems impossible. A date with hunky Eric Moore ended in a car crash, and Amber will never walk again. Amber only remembers her rage at Eric, her feelings of helplessness and despair. But when she begins rehab at Hamilton Hospital, she meets others who understand her pain. Instead of dates and rehearsals, she's talking to other kids with real problems, discussing overprotective parents and worrying about going home... But nothing can prepare her for reality. At school there's no place for a student in a wheelchair. Her friends don't know how to treat her. She can't seem to let Eric prove he cares. Her dreams have never seemed farther away. How can she find the courage to rebuild her life and dare to dream again?

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Deborah Kent was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby Little Falls. She graduated from Oberlin College and received a master's degree from Smith College School for Social Work. For four years, she was a social worker at University Settlement House on New York's Lower East Side. In 1975, Ms. Kent moved to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she wrote her first young-adult novel, Belonging. In San Miguel, Ms. Kent helped to found the Centro de Crecimiento, a school for children with disabilities. Ms. Kent is the author of numerous young-adult novels and nonfiction titles for children. She lives in Chicago with her husband, children's author R. Conrad Stein, and their daughter, Janna.

Reviews

[Ulysses · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read this book, I didn't think of it as an opportunity for me to expand my horizons in medicine and activism. Had I not heard of this author, I would not have been the person I am now`.

[Lavender Darcangelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really think that Amber was so brave. It's understandable that at first, she had a negative attitude about her condition, but she really really changed. She even for gave Eric Who was the one that gave her the accident. I really thought it was awesome that out of all her friends, he was the one who suggested to do the protests thing on Friday. To shows that he really, truly Felt bad and that he didn't mean to hurt her at all.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amber was on a date with THE guy of her dreams.....until he crashed into a tree. Eric walked away, but now Amber is in a wheelchair. She can't believe that she is never going to walk again. Amber spends months in the hospital learning how to navigate the world sitting down. She heads back to school and finds that Central High is not equipped to deal with a kid like her.

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had this book from a used sale, and I decided to pick it up today for a nice quick read. This was an enjoyable fast read and I really liked the ending outcome although it was very predictable. Quite too fast I think the plot was written, but it was great! :)

[⭐️MidnightSun⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when life changes and there is no go back. How do you handle it? Amber had to adjust to a new way of living and she decided life was still worth living. It was so inspiring. Forgiveness is a powerful and freeing thing. Not to live in the past but to keep moving forward with life. Loved it. 4 stars