You Take the High Road

Samantha, 15, believes that everything good has left the world when her baby brother dies. Sam had anticipated Nicholas's arrival every bit as much as her parents had, and witnessing his birth was like experiencing a miracle. With the help of new friends and a sensitive teacher, Sam begins to cope with her despair, but life at home remains difficult. Only by recognizing that change is inevitable does the girl come to understand the nature of loss and her parents' reactions. Sam becomes more open about her feelings, forgives her mother for the tragic accident and accepts her father's emotional withdrawal and eventual departure. While it explores the pain of grief, this first novel's focus is on recovery. Pershall's down-to-earth style is tempered by poetic moments of insight; she treats the subjects of birth and death with extraordinary grace. As Samantha's life is touched by her brother's brief existence, readers will be touched by the truths revealed throughout this book. Ages 12-up. (Apr.)