If I Stay: Pages 1-63 Relationships

[Kamlyn]

Mia is faced with being different from everyone she loves....the type of music being the core of the difference. How do you think this affects her relationship with her parents and/or with Adam?

[Kamlyn]

Kim and Mia are put together by everyone around them, even though they don't necessarily care for one another. They finally come to blows and then become friends. Do you think this is a realistic version of middle school friendships?

[Kamlyn]

On page 45, Mia makes a statement about falling in love and she 'thought that getting to this part was the challenge." The happily-ever-after part is just assumed. Do you think we just want the fairy tale and that's why most stories just end on the good note even when it's not realistic?

[Kamlyn]

Juilliard.... do you think she is willing to give up her family, Kim and Adam to go? Do you think they really want her to go?

[Kamlyn]

Talk about an out-of-body experience! We see Mia's life in flashbacks and out-of-body experiences throughout the book so far. Do you think this helps in the telling or is it distracting to you?

[Eli]

Since I can't seem to comment individually, here are my comments to all 5 questions. Sorry for it being so long!

I don't think the fact that Mia is different affects her relationships with her parents and Adam all too much. Yes, there is some awkwardness and growing pains as they tolerate the different music choice she has, but ultimately I think the opposites attract philosophy keeps their relationships strong.

With Kim and Mia, and most middle school girls I'm guessing, they spent so much time "hating" each other and proving to others they didn't "belong" together that they finally realized it was all a childish game. They had already invested all that time, why not be friends. Sometimes you "hate" people for the silliest reasons and when you finally come to blows you realize just how silly they are and realize you actually like them.

I think most people do just want the fairy tale. They want to believe and read stories about underdogs/have-nots being able to fall in love just like the beauty queens/popular ones do. Once they fall in love everything will be blissful. Or so that's what we want to believe. I know I for one don't want to think or imagine that the fairy tale will crumble apart. So, leave it on a good note and let your imagination run wild with love. (Cheesy, I know).

Juilliard... Not sure on this one. It's a whole different world. Different is her thing, but I also think she's comfortable where she's at and unsure if what her future would be if she did attend Juilliard.

The format of the book isn't distracting. You kind of need it to go back and forth to get the whole story. With the title being what it us, you would imagine that she has to portray all that would be worth staying for.

[Kamlyn]

Hi Eli,
I loved your take on everything. True love is never cheesy. :-)

[Sonal]

Kamlyn wrote: "Kim and Mia are put together by everyone around them, even though they don't necessarily care for one another. They finally come to blows and then become friends. Do you think this is a realistic v..."

cant see a friendship starting out this way in real life...

[Sonal]

Kamlyn wrote: "On page 45, Mia makes a statement about falling in love and she 'thought that getting to this part was the challenge." The happily-ever-after part is just assumed. Do you think we just want the fai..."

this struck me too, does seem like the happily ever after is assumed in many book, movies, etc...