This short book in verse introduces Sage, a 13-year-old grieving the death of her best friend, Angel. She doesn’t want to meet new people or pursue her dreams without Angel by her side. Her community tries to comfort and support her, but Sage feels like they’ll never understand. They don’t know that Angel’s death is all her fault.
Sage’s world is turned upside-down with the death of her best friend. But as she starts attending a grief group after school, Sage meets girls her age who are also grieving. Though they’ve all experienced different losses, Sage gradually learns that they still share a common experience that they need help to walk through.
Yet, returning to normal life doesn’t seem like an option. How can she pursue her dream of becoming a pilot when her best friend will never get the chance to chase her own dreams?
Little by little, Sage realizes she must move forward. She begins to build new friendships, and she even gets attention from a cute boy, Kofi. However, grief can play tricks on your mind. Mourning the loss of a friend is one thing. Believing you’re the reason she died adds an unimaginable amount of weight.
Heaven is mentioned, but in a context of doubt. Church is mentioned. A character talks about how her grandma (who passed away) used to take her to church. Kofi’s grandad is a pastor.
None.
Sage’s parents are divorced, but they are both very involved in her life. Her great aunt raised her dad, so she is an important, influential person in Sage’s life as well.
Death is discussed a great deal, including illness, accidents and violence. Murder by the police is mentioned. Sage’s friend was hit and killed by a car. Drunk driving is discussed. Police reform and racial profiling are mentioned. Sage’s great aunt finds out she has untreatable cancer.
Kofi and Sage kiss.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13. Why do Christians mourn the deaths of other believers differently from how the world mourns?
Are you afraid of death? Why or why not?
Has someone’s death ever made you sad? How can you ask for support or support others during hard times like grief?
Writing in verse, Renée Watson offers an honest look at what it’s like for a young person to encounter unfathomable grief. However, because Sage doesn’t seem to have a solid faith foundation, she is ultimately grieving without the depth, support and comfort Jesus offers.
You can request a review of a title you can’t find at letters@pluggedin.com.
Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
Rachel Pfeiffer serves as Editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine, where she acquires and crafts stories to entertain and disciple children. She graduated from Taylor University with a degree in professional writing and Moody Theological Seminary with an MA in Biblical Studies. When she’s not curled up with a good book, she can often be found hiking the beautiful Colorado Rockies.
