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To Save a Life #1
To Save a Life
He gave up being somebody in order to make a difference
Jake and Roger grew up as best friends. But in high school, Jake becomes a star athlete who has it all: popularity, a college scholarship, and the hottest girl on campus. It's an ideal life that comes at the exclusion of his childhood friend. Meanwhile, Roger grows tired of always being pushed aside, and he makes a tragic move that spins Jake's world out of control. As Jake searches for answers, one question plagues him the most: Could he have saved his friend?
Jake is deeply compelled to reach out to students who are on the fringe of acceptability by the school's upper crust. But he soon finds that reaching out to the undesirable might cost him everything--his reputation, his friends, his girlfriend, and even his dreams.
It's a journey that will change Jake's life forever.
To Save A Life is an inspirational story about real-life challenges and hard choices. For anyone who has struggled with regret, loneliness, or pain, it is a story of hope. For all of us, To Save A Life is a story about living a life of significance.
Through Jake's journey, you will be challenged to answer the question--what's your life going to be about?
Jake and Roger grew up as best friends. But in high school, Jake becomes a star athlete who has it all: popularity, a college scholarship, and the hottest girl on campus. It's an ideal life that comes at the exclusion of his childhood friend. Meanwhile, Roger grows tired of always being pushed aside, and he makes a tragic move that spins Jake's world out of control. As Jake searches for answers, one question plagues him the most: Could he have saved his friend?
Jake is deeply compelled to reach out to students who are on the fringe of acceptability by the school's upper crust. But he soon finds that reaching out to the undesirable might cost him everything--his reputation, his friends, his girlfriend, and even his dreams.
It's a journey that will change Jake's life forever.
To Save A Life is an inspirational story about real-life challenges and hard choices. For anyone who has struggled with regret, loneliness, or pain, it is a story of hope. For all of us, To Save A Life is a story about living a life of significance.
Through Jake's journey, you will be challenged to answer the question--what's your life going to be about?
315 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
24 people are currently reading
808 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
April 25, 2023
Book based off a movie. Suck it ms whatever your name was I can’t think of it rn
June 18, 2010
Jake and Roger were once best friends. They did everything together. Roger even stepped in front of a car to save Jake. But when they got to high school, and Jake got better at basketball, things started to change. Jake started hanging out with the popular crowd. Before he knew it, he didn't have time for Roger at all.
And now Roger is dead. None of Jake's new friends even know that he and Roger were once friends. They don't understand what this loss means. Jake wonders what's the point of it all? And if he had done things in his life differently, could he have saved Roger?
As Jake searches for answers and tries to find meaning in life, his friends just don't get it. But Jake can't go back, even if it costs him his reputation.
I'd wanted to see this movie, but it never came to a theater near me, not that any theater is near me...So I bought the book to tide me over. I'm totally glad I did. This book was powerful. It threw me into Jake's life, the life most every guy wishes he had: star athlete with a full ride scholarship to play for his dream school, the perfect girlfriend, fun best friends, and popularity. Then tragedy strikes and Jake starts to ask important questions. And he won't give up until he finds the answer.
This book gets into faith in an honest and ugly way. Sometimes that's what we need to see. There are a lot of "Christians" out there making Christians look bad, loving themselves more than they love others. This book shows one guy struggling to do it the right way, no matter what anyone thinks. What an inspiring story. Now I want to see the movie more than ever! I highly recommend this to all high school and college students.
And now Roger is dead. None of Jake's new friends even know that he and Roger were once friends. They don't understand what this loss means. Jake wonders what's the point of it all? And if he had done things in his life differently, could he have saved Roger?
As Jake searches for answers and tries to find meaning in life, his friends just don't get it. But Jake can't go back, even if it costs him his reputation.
I'd wanted to see this movie, but it never came to a theater near me, not that any theater is near me...So I bought the book to tide me over. I'm totally glad I did. This book was powerful. It threw me into Jake's life, the life most every guy wishes he had: star athlete with a full ride scholarship to play for his dream school, the perfect girlfriend, fun best friends, and popularity. Then tragedy strikes and Jake starts to ask important questions. And he won't give up until he finds the answer.
This book gets into faith in an honest and ugly way. Sometimes that's what we need to see. There are a lot of "Christians" out there making Christians look bad, loving themselves more than they love others. This book shows one guy struggling to do it the right way, no matter what anyone thinks. What an inspiring story. Now I want to see the movie more than ever! I highly recommend this to all high school and college students.
October 10, 2013
“To save a life” is a movie I will talk about for a long time. It was so impressive and meaningful. The main character of the movie is Jake, one of the most popular boys at school with fame, lots of friends, a basketball scholarship and a girlfriend. He had a best friend Roger,totally different from him- with no friends and no hope. They stood up for each other despite of everything but high school pulled them apart. Jake didn’t care anymore about him but one day changed everything. A sudden tragedy turned his life upside down and made him think about life’s different side, which I think makes us live, not only exist.
In the movie we face up lots of social problems. The first and the most enlightened is racism. Make difference by their nation,skin color and wealth is the sign to ruin the world. In 2005, an African child’s poem was nominated for the best Poem. Has anyone ever thought who is skin-colored? Us, the ones who are red in sun, blue in cold, yellow when scared, grey when we die or the ones who were born black, grew up black, are black in sun and black when scared? Or does the color mean so much to hurt anyone’s heart. Bullying is the one of the hardest parts of the movie. In my opinion we can talk about racism and bullying at the same time because, both have one beginning- the fact that we never think to treat others as we want to be treated.
Suicide is identified as one of the social problems as well. It is the most tragic ending of keeping pain in the heart. By statistics 1 in 12 teens commit a suicide. You may be just one person in the world, but one person, at one time, you are the world.We always forget to think that we can be the best help for each other. Mahatma Gandi said “Be the change you want to see in the world”. What if, we all tried “just to pay it forward”...
“The biggest disease this day and age is that of people feeling unloved”-wrote the kindest princess ever- princess Diana. She probably has imagined what it must be like for a little boy to read that daddy never loved mummy. Nowadays people live together but they are not happy and this is shown in the movie. I think this is one of the biggest and the most important social problems. If there’s one thing I’ve learned along the way, it’s that all our personal successes shine a little less brightly if we fail in family. That’s what matters most. Sadly, in our time, regardless of divorceharming children's psychology andcausingissues, it is very common. No one knows what a reserved character person is keeping. We have to think below the surface.
Being shy of you may also be considered as a social problem. People pressure our lives, influence and we lose ourselves. Maybe that is our fault, not to be sure in us, but mostly teens are not mature enough to stand for themselves. And there is rarely a person who really knows how to listen and nobody truly asks “how are you?”
Fake religious people are probably the whole believers’ biggest challenge. People go to churches to make others see, not because of serving God. They spend time judging people for things that they are guilty of.
Lastly, I would add that in my opinion, one of the social problems is that we watch movies and cry, but never think that maybe next to us there is a person who really needs our help and a sincere “how are you?”.This movie was very close to me. Now when I am far away from my home, family and friends I nearly feel the same as Roger. I am not a black person, children aren’t bullying me, but it’s hard when you are re-born and developing yourself in a place where no one knows you and nobody is coming to you. It’s hard, but I believe that sun is in every person, you just have to wait to make it shine. I believe that we all can save a life from our sides, we just have to try and be proud of our uniqueness, instead of being shy for the things that differentiate us from others.
In the movie we face up lots of social problems. The first and the most enlightened is racism. Make difference by their nation,skin color and wealth is the sign to ruin the world. In 2005, an African child’s poem was nominated for the best Poem. Has anyone ever thought who is skin-colored? Us, the ones who are red in sun, blue in cold, yellow when scared, grey when we die or the ones who were born black, grew up black, are black in sun and black when scared? Or does the color mean so much to hurt anyone’s heart. Bullying is the one of the hardest parts of the movie. In my opinion we can talk about racism and bullying at the same time because, both have one beginning- the fact that we never think to treat others as we want to be treated.
Suicide is identified as one of the social problems as well. It is the most tragic ending of keeping pain in the heart. By statistics 1 in 12 teens commit a suicide. You may be just one person in the world, but one person, at one time, you are the world.We always forget to think that we can be the best help for each other. Mahatma Gandi said “Be the change you want to see in the world”. What if, we all tried “just to pay it forward”...
“The biggest disease this day and age is that of people feeling unloved”-wrote the kindest princess ever- princess Diana. She probably has imagined what it must be like for a little boy to read that daddy never loved mummy. Nowadays people live together but they are not happy and this is shown in the movie. I think this is one of the biggest and the most important social problems. If there’s one thing I’ve learned along the way, it’s that all our personal successes shine a little less brightly if we fail in family. That’s what matters most. Sadly, in our time, regardless of divorceharming children's psychology andcausingissues, it is very common. No one knows what a reserved character person is keeping. We have to think below the surface.
Being shy of you may also be considered as a social problem. People pressure our lives, influence and we lose ourselves. Maybe that is our fault, not to be sure in us, but mostly teens are not mature enough to stand for themselves. And there is rarely a person who really knows how to listen and nobody truly asks “how are you?”
Fake religious people are probably the whole believers’ biggest challenge. People go to churches to make others see, not because of serving God. They spend time judging people for things that they are guilty of.
Lastly, I would add that in my opinion, one of the social problems is that we watch movies and cry, but never think that maybe next to us there is a person who really needs our help and a sincere “how are you?”.This movie was very close to me. Now when I am far away from my home, family and friends I nearly feel the same as Roger. I am not a black person, children aren’t bullying me, but it’s hard when you are re-born and developing yourself in a place where no one knows you and nobody is coming to you. It’s hard, but I believe that sun is in every person, you just have to wait to make it shine. I believe that we all can save a life from our sides, we just have to try and be proud of our uniqueness, instead of being shy for the things that differentiate us from others.
October 1, 2011
Jake and Roger were inseparable. Best buds. They did everything together. Roger even saved Jake from certain death once, paying for the cost. But high school was a whole different ball game. Jake climbed to the top of the social ladder, but Roger stayed several rungs beneath him. Their friendship deteriorated to nothing- it was like they didn’t even know each other. One day Roger brings a gun to school, and ends his life right in front of Jake. Jake had no idea what Roger had been going through. Jake’s life had been perfect- wealth, popularity, a hot girlfriend, and a college scholarship. He had been blind to the pain he had caused Roger in rejecting him. Until it was too late.
To Save a Life is honestly one of the most awakening and touching stories I’ve ever read. The book was based on the movie, which I plan on seeing soon. I loved seeing Jake evolve from a heartless jerk to a caring and loving person. The tragedy that happened to Roger seemed so dramatic and surreal, but I know it’s quite prevalent in schools today. Something that also surprised me was the fakeness of Jake’s youth group. I’ve gone to church every Sunday my whole life, and I’ve always thought that the church was filled with kind, loving Christian people. But this story opened my eyes to the lie I’ve believed. I look around now, in my youth group, and wonder how sincere these people are. Who puts on a façade each Sunday? How many of these teens are “Dannys?”
This book is definitely worth reading, for both teens and adults. But since Jake and his friends don’t really have any morals, there are some words. Also, Jake’s relationship with his girlfriend, Amy, is not exactly pure. But I know that the authors only put that in to make it all seem real. Just be aware that this book deals with very gritty issues when deciding if younger tweens (middle school age) should read To Save a Life. Personally, I think kids should be a little older (like in high school), but it’s your call. To sum it all up, I loved this book, and I’m sure it’s lessons will never leave me. It shouts a message that the world is desperate to hear. Before it’s too late.
Quick Content Review:
Profanity- Mild (Jake cusses out the fakers in his youth group, but nothing too heavy. A few words scattered elsewhere, but God’s name is not abused.)
Violence- Minor- (When they are young boys, Roger pushes Jake out of the way of a car and takes the hit himself. Roger commits suicide. Johnny is a cutter, and Andrea admits she once was, too. Jake jumps in front of a police car, but only gets scratched. Nothing is described at all.)
Sexual- Mild (Amy flirts seductively with Jake; the two kiss frequently and have sex at a party; Amy becomes pregnant, but Jake persuades her to keep the baby. Jake’s friends act like high school guys, whistling at girls and making some comments. Nothing heavy or over the top…all negative language/bad content was added to make the story seem real. Jake’s behavior is not glorify in the least, but rather used as a warning of how consequences can affect your life.)
Other negative content- Jake goes to a couple parties where there is under-age drinking. It’s discovered that his dad has cheated on his mom. Danny, the pastor’s son, smokes pot with a group of other church-going kids.
To Save a Life is honestly one of the most awakening and touching stories I’ve ever read. The book was based on the movie, which I plan on seeing soon. I loved seeing Jake evolve from a heartless jerk to a caring and loving person. The tragedy that happened to Roger seemed so dramatic and surreal, but I know it’s quite prevalent in schools today. Something that also surprised me was the fakeness of Jake’s youth group. I’ve gone to church every Sunday my whole life, and I’ve always thought that the church was filled with kind, loving Christian people. But this story opened my eyes to the lie I’ve believed. I look around now, in my youth group, and wonder how sincere these people are. Who puts on a façade each Sunday? How many of these teens are “Dannys?”
This book is definitely worth reading, for both teens and adults. But since Jake and his friends don’t really have any morals, there are some words. Also, Jake’s relationship with his girlfriend, Amy, is not exactly pure. But I know that the authors only put that in to make it all seem real. Just be aware that this book deals with very gritty issues when deciding if younger tweens (middle school age) should read To Save a Life. Personally, I think kids should be a little older (like in high school), but it’s your call. To sum it all up, I loved this book, and I’m sure it’s lessons will never leave me. It shouts a message that the world is desperate to hear. Before it’s too late.
Quick Content Review:
Profanity- Mild (Jake cusses out the fakers in his youth group, but nothing too heavy. A few words scattered elsewhere, but God’s name is not abused.)
Violence- Minor- (When they are young boys, Roger pushes Jake out of the way of a car and takes the hit himself. Roger commits suicide. Johnny is a cutter, and Andrea admits she once was, too. Jake jumps in front of a police car, but only gets scratched. Nothing is described at all.)
Sexual- Mild (Amy flirts seductively with Jake; the two kiss frequently and have sex at a party; Amy becomes pregnant, but Jake persuades her to keep the baby. Jake’s friends act like high school guys, whistling at girls and making some comments. Nothing heavy or over the top…all negative language/bad content was added to make the story seem real. Jake’s behavior is not glorify in the least, but rather used as a warning of how consequences can affect your life.)
Other negative content- Jake goes to a couple parties where there is under-age drinking. It’s discovered that his dad has cheated on his mom. Danny, the pastor’s son, smokes pot with a group of other church-going kids.
March 17, 2014
I read “To Save A Life” by Jim and Rachel Britts. Jake grew up playing sports with his best friend, Roger, until one day an injury made it hard for Roger to participate. Later in high school Jake became popular after he made the starting lineup on the basketball team. He got asked to go to a party by one of the cool girls, and he chose to ditch Roger to go to the party. Their friendship deteriorated and they didn't talk for the next three years of high school. Roger grows tired of being pushed around and makes a decision that will change Jake's outlook on life.
Jake was the main character who struggled finding the answer to the question he asked himself, “could he have saved his best friend, Roger?” There were other characters such as: Amy, who was his girlfriend; Doug, who was his teammate and friend; and Chris, who played an important role in helping Jake get through the loss of his friend.
“To Save A Life” took place in a high school setting in modern times. This was important because it showed the things that happen in school that people don't know about. For example, the forming of groups and how people are rejected from these groups because of their social status.
I would have to say the theme was to strive to be a better person. Everybody makes mistakes and things will happen in their lives that could change everything. This includes the people who surround them and the things that happen to change them.
I would recommend this book to anyone 16 and up, because the events that take place in this book are not always appropriate for younger readers. Besides that, this book has many important messages. Messages such as no one's perfect, be a better person, and encourage others.
Jake was the main character who struggled finding the answer to the question he asked himself, “could he have saved his best friend, Roger?” There were other characters such as: Amy, who was his girlfriend; Doug, who was his teammate and friend; and Chris, who played an important role in helping Jake get through the loss of his friend.
“To Save A Life” took place in a high school setting in modern times. This was important because it showed the things that happen in school that people don't know about. For example, the forming of groups and how people are rejected from these groups because of their social status.
I would have to say the theme was to strive to be a better person. Everybody makes mistakes and things will happen in their lives that could change everything. This includes the people who surround them and the things that happen to change them.
I would recommend this book to anyone 16 and up, because the events that take place in this book are not always appropriate for younger readers. Besides that, this book has many important messages. Messages such as no one's perfect, be a better person, and encourage others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2013
"To Save a Life" by Jim Britts is by FAR my favorite book. It is a very fast and easy read based off of the movie. It is about a young senior, Jake, who has a very bright future with basketball and the college league. His grades aren't the best, though, and his strict, adulterer of a father never seems to be pleased by Jake. Jake grew up being best friends with a close by kid named Rodger. Rodger saved Jake's life when they were kids but ended up busting his own leg. As they grew older and got to high school Jake and Rodger went their own ways as Jake became the popular basketball jock and Rodger became the victim of most neighborhood bullies. Rodger eventually brought a gun to school and shot himself in the hallway. In the process of coping with the loss of his former best friend, Jake comes to some realizations with himself. Jake soon is the reason of several people not only deciding against suicide, but also going on to have a brighter future in their own messed up lives. I would recommend this book to most teens going through high school, because it can really help those that are going through rough times, and it can show others to watch how they treat people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2010
I was pleasantly surprised that I liked this book so much. It's sad what teenagers have to face on a daily basis. One hopes that more teenagers would be like the main character when he realized that there's more to life than trying to uphold a certain "image".
December 14, 2011
This was a great book very deep and it made me cry....
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October 13, 2022 Jake Taylor is your average high school jock, who dates Amy the prettiest girl in school he has an athletic scholarship to Louisville and everyone knows him. One day Jake’s childhood best friend Roger shoots himself at school right in front of Jake, this means a lot to Jake because while he and Roger had not talked since freshmen year Roger pushed Jake out of the way of a moving car when they were six, and Roger got hit instead of Jake. This held Roger back from playing sports and making friends without people judging him for his limp. When Roger decides to make a life-changing decision it changes Jake’s life, he is forced to choose if his newfound relationship with God is worth not going to Louisville for.
I really was able to connect with the story on choosing between different things and a relationship with God, it is hard to balance school, after-school activities, and finding time to just focus on God.
Features of the story that really stuck out to me were how invested he was in helping people he didn’t even know after Roger died and how bad he felt to make a change and a difference. Without him realizing how bad those kids felt he would have never found God or if he did it would have been way later in life he made the best out of a terrible situation and wanted to make a big change since he basically abandoned Roger.
I would recommend this story to anyone struggling with their faith or has just lost a friend, it just gives such a good perspective of how we can mourn for someone but also do something about it and not just be sad and fix what was wrong because so many other people feel that way. I give this book a 5/5 because it is based on a true story and many other people need to hear this whether they are Christian or not because this is an amazing story and really opens your eyes to understand how others can feel about things you say and how you might not think what you say or do is hurtful when it is.
I really was able to connect with the story on choosing between different things and a relationship with God, it is hard to balance school, after-school activities, and finding time to just focus on God.
Features of the story that really stuck out to me were how invested he was in helping people he didn’t even know after Roger died and how bad he felt to make a change and a difference. Without him realizing how bad those kids felt he would have never found God or if he did it would have been way later in life he made the best out of a terrible situation and wanted to make a big change since he basically abandoned Roger.
I would recommend this story to anyone struggling with their faith or has just lost a friend, it just gives such a good perspective of how we can mourn for someone but also do something about it and not just be sad and fix what was wrong because so many other people feel that way. I give this book a 5/5 because it is based on a true story and many other people need to hear this whether they are Christian or not because this is an amazing story and really opens your eyes to understand how others can feel about things you say and how you might not think what you say or do is hurtful when it is.
August 21, 2019
I read this book over the summer for an independent reading book for school. I was interested in this book because it's about a high school student who plays basketball. But little did he know that his life gets turned upside down. To Save a Life is a nonfiction book which I liked because you can relate to what is happening.
The start of the book was very intense. It mainly takes place at the high school that the main character Jake goes too. Jake is the main character that is most brought up throughout the story the book is about his life and the obstacles he is facing. Jakes life starts off perfect but then quickly becomes too much for him to handle.
I thought that this book was a good read. I enjoyed this book because you can easily relate to it. A lot of teens like start off good but then quickly are changed and affected by hard situations. This book shows that in the end you will find your happiness. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to a nonfiction book that you can relate to.
The start of the book was very intense. It mainly takes place at the high school that the main character Jake goes too. Jake is the main character that is most brought up throughout the story the book is about his life and the obstacles he is facing. Jakes life starts off perfect but then quickly becomes too much for him to handle.
I thought that this book was a good read. I enjoyed this book because you can easily relate to it. A lot of teens like start off good but then quickly are changed and affected by hard situations. This book shows that in the end you will find your happiness. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to a nonfiction book that you can relate to.
March 29, 2021
This book makes for a great discussion starter. The same could be said about the movie being that it is very close to the book. The book however, may go just a bit deeper since we are allowed to go inside some of the characters' minds. It's a great book to bring up sensitive topics such as bullying, school shootings, drinking, drugs, teen pregnancy, cutting, suicide, depression, true friendships vs false ones and Christian faith and how to live it out in life, in a church youthgroup and at a highschool. This is the type of book/movie EVERY youthgroup should read/watch and then discuss authentically.
January 28, 2018
This book was better than I expected, and I'm eager to now see the movie.
I liked how raw it was, but as a youth leader, it was also heartbreaking at times.
This was on my Possible Unhaul TBR, but I think I'm going to keep it for now.
I liked how raw it was, but as a youth leader, it was also heartbreaking at times.
This was on my Possible Unhaul TBR, but I think I'm going to keep it for now.
April 17, 2020
This book was a real emotional rollercoaster. There was so much going on at once and it is a lot to take in. But it was a good book. I recommend this to anyone who likes to read about people changing their lives around. I gave it 8.5/10 stars!
December 13, 2017
Realistic and absorbing. A couple spots are a bit saccharine, but overall good.
September 20, 2019
Not a bad read. A bit preachy though...
February 25, 2021
A great discussion book for teens and their mentors.
August 28, 2021
Dude this book... i cant even-
September 28, 2022
it was a good book but i found some parts very high school cringey stuff but the book had a great message!!!
April 22, 2021
Esta no es otra historia estadounidense Cristiana, gracias a Dios. Creo que lo mejor de este libro es la parte en que Jake comienza a reunirse en el descanso de la escuela con los socialmente inadaptados. No pude mas que pensar en la narración de Lucas acerca de los inicios de la iglesia en el relato de Hechos y cómo los autores la trajeron a la vida actual de una manera muy puntual. Me pareció un movimiento tan sutil, pero a la vez tan intencional. ¡Me encantó esta historia!
October 27, 2017
Trigger Warning: Depression. bullying, suicide
This book packed such a punch. It was well written, and dealt with very serious and real issues that many teens face. I loved the character development and that we got to see a very real and genuine change in the main character, Jake, throughout the novel.
This book packed such a punch. It was well written, and dealt with very serious and real issues that many teens face. I loved the character development and that we got to see a very real and genuine change in the main character, Jake, throughout the novel.
October 20, 2011
This book to save a life is a very good book. It is about a kid named Jake who is a basketball all star and his beautiful cheerleader girlfriend. He has a friend named Rodger and this friend of his grew up with him all through school. Then on day Amy Briggs came up and asked Jake if he wanted to go to the party that they were having and had to choose between her or Rodger. Rodger told him to go with her and that's when it started. He started forgetting about Johnny and when he would walk past johnny he never said any thing after that to him. Then one day Johnny was sick of it and brought a gun to his school and that's when Jake stood up from his crouch position and went over to him and said you don't have to do this and Rodger said I have to. Then bang Rodger shoot him self in the head because he was picked over a girl and forgotten about. Then Jake started figuring things out and he started blaming him self for Rodger's death that day. Then things changed at there school they had a home basketball game and he meet a priest and they started talking. Then Jake did some thing stupid he got drunk at a party and the cops were called and Amy warned him and then when he heard the cops say let's look up stairs he put his cloths on quickly and opened the door and closed it before the cops found him. He jumped the brick wall and started looking and noticed that Amy had taken his truck. So he called the priest guy and he gave him a ride home. That's when he started going to church where the priest taught at and then saw a picture of Rodger on the wall. Then he brought his girlfriend to the church and the people that went there started making fun of Amy because of the cloths she wore to the church. Then she ran out and told him she was pregnant with his child and she drove off. That's when he went back into the church and made his point out that it was his girlfriend and she was just like them and she should be treated equal like every one else. And that's when his life changed completely. Then they had another party and a kid walked in and every one made fun of him because he wasn't cool enough. So the next day he saw this kid at school and went over to him and introduced him self to him. Then that's when he went to the church and the people had discussion to eat together even though he was popular they still hung out together. So that's the challenge choose popularity over adverage people and that's when his girlfriend went to some one else and Jake didn't like that. Now his life is really screwed up. I would recommend this book to any one to read if they like books that are so spectacular that you would want to read it more than once. Which one would you pick you hot girlfriend or your best friend you grew up with?
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March 6, 2014The Main character in this book is Jake. Jake witnessed his best friend Roger kill himself. Jake had not really spoke to Roger in a long time because Jake became popular and did not think his new friends would accept Roger because his leg was messed up from a accident that happened when they were younger. After Jake see's Roger shoot himself he see's so many others getting bullied and just stands there he has so many chances to stand up for them but he let his pride stand in the way of that. He meets this one man named Chris who kinds of guides Jake into putting his Pride aside and standing up for people who get bullied. Jake and his father where not really ln a good note the whole time but by the end they finally found there love for each other and grew stronger.
I would recommend this book too maybe not everyone because not everyone would like this read. To me this a very good book and if you have a heart you would have sympothy over the characters. The book was a lpng a read but deffintly worth it because its very relateable to situations in this generation.
I would recommend this book too maybe not everyone because not everyone would like this read. To me this a very good book and if you have a heart you would have sympothy over the characters. The book was a lpng a read but deffintly worth it because its very relateable to situations in this generation.
March 5, 2015
Rate: 4
I was hooked into reading this book by the first chapter. The story line is relatable to teenagers and young adults which helped while reading it. The book was easy to follow but still kept you wanting to read more about the relationship Jake Taylor (main character) has with his friends and girlfriends and how he learns to accept and love god. For a kid who had everything a high schooler could want,he finally realized what was important in life.
My favorite part of the book was when Jake Taylor finally had that ah ha moment in his life. When he found what was missing and knew how he was going to change for better. The main characters in the book made me believe everything that happened and made it very real. The book is very relatable to a high schoolers life.
From when the book was written to know, I don't believe much has changed. High schools still have their cliques and drama filled halls. This book does do a very good job on showing how you can make a difference as a person and stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to great things.
I was hooked into reading this book by the first chapter. The story line is relatable to teenagers and young adults which helped while reading it. The book was easy to follow but still kept you wanting to read more about the relationship Jake Taylor (main character) has with his friends and girlfriends and how he learns to accept and love god. For a kid who had everything a high schooler could want,he finally realized what was important in life.
My favorite part of the book was when Jake Taylor finally had that ah ha moment in his life. When he found what was missing and knew how he was going to change for better. The main characters in the book made me believe everything that happened and made it very real. The book is very relatable to a high schoolers life.
From when the book was written to know, I don't believe much has changed. High schools still have their cliques and drama filled halls. This book does do a very good job on showing how you can make a difference as a person and stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to great things.
December 9, 2012
To Save A Life is about a young man who suffers from the loss of his best friend growing up to suicide. Through out the book you come to know the characters both the main one and the one who commited suicide. It is a very touching story that will have you crying at the end. you watch how jake the main character comes to grip with life, love and the gospel. It is an eye opener to show the main character the important things in life. You read about how jakes life changes all in the matter of a few months.
I really loved this book it was so good and amazing. there are some dark themes but over all it is such an uplifting book that has your heart from beginning to end. there are so many relatable things for young adults in this book. It shows how important it is to not only have your head about you but to think of things according to right and wrong.
I really loved this book it was so good and amazing. there are some dark themes but over all it is such an uplifting book that has your heart from beginning to end. there are so many relatable things for young adults in this book. It shows how important it is to not only have your head about you but to think of things according to right and wrong.
May 19, 2017
This was such a great book. So much character development that was really interesting. This is really an inspiring book and really shows how much guilt can plague people. I love how the church and God were portrayed. It also showed that of course there are 'fakers' in the religion, but there are also really good seeds. It was just a great book! All the hardships it showed were amazing. It portrayed how teenagers react in certain situations, how life plays out, and how God comes into our lives very well. I know for some this might be a turn off book because God is played into it, but you don't need to be religious to want to read this. I think a lot of reader's would like this! It broke my heart and put the pieces back together.
November 9, 2010
Absolutely amazing! At some point in your life, you can relate to Roger or Jonny. Sometimes it's too late when the "Jake" in your life makes an appearance. This story is such an amazingly written novel. Every girl wants to be Amy, the most popular girl dating the jock. Ever Guy wants to be Jake; beautiful girlfriend, scholarship to your dream school...everything is perfect. Then something happens and the whole world shifts. Chris is someone that everyone would love to have as a youth leader. His words go straight to the heart and really make you think. The author is amazing!
August 6, 2010
this is a great teen christian fiction novel. As an adult I really enjoyed it. I think it really addressed the stress and issues that teenagers face and it was written from a perspective that wasn't cheezy or patronizing. There are very few novels that don't try and wrap all the ends up in a neat package at the end,this one lets you know that it takes work , sacrifice, and faith to face your problems and rise above them. Great book for teens and parents.
May 4, 2011
Absolutely amazing! At some point in your life, you can relate to Roger or Jonny. Sometimes it's too late when the Jake in your life makes an appearance. This story is such an amazingly written novel. Every girl wants to be Amy, the most popular girl dating the jock. Ever Guy wants to be Jake; beautiful girlfriend, scholarship to your dream school...everything is perfect. Then something happens and the whole world shifts. Chris is someone that everyone would love to have as a youth leader.
January 30, 2010
I read this before I went to go see the movie, and I must say that I could not put it down. I haven't had a book like that since "Do Hard Things" by Alex & Brett Harris, and if you know me at all, you'll know I basically have read that book a thousand times. It's my favorite book of all-time. This one also did that to me. It radically changed my outlook on life. Definitely recommend it.
September 27, 2012
well i finished the book to save a life last year it was an excelant read i loved it and cried but the story also had its downfalls and i wandered why when jake became popular why he chose not to talk or hangout with his best friend rodger and jake was the cause for rodger killing himself cause he didnt fit in or feel wanted
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