Waves

WAVES is a suspenseful, emotional book. I had just suffered a death in my own life, and this book about grieving was kind of empowering. The ending was very good, so I won't spoil it. The story is told from a male point of view, but would be entertaining for male/female teens. WARNING: You may cry while reading this book! Good for when you just want something to keep your attention (or are PMS-ing).

There are few things harder in life than moving on from tragedy. There's the time spent wondering how life can ever be normal again and dwelling on how it once was. But no time is ever wasted; it's all a part of that final goal: healing. But being trapped in those moments --- living in that seemingly hopeless time --- can be a potent and unforgettable experience for all those involved, as demonstrated in WAVES, the remarkable debut novel from Sharon Dogar. WAVES tells the story of the Dittons, a family in England struggling to come to terms with the events of a tragic accident that took place one summer at their beach house. Sixteen-year-old Charley, the oldest daughter, was left in a coma following what was believed to be a surfing mishap. The book starts with the family preparing to go back to the beach house for the first time since Charley's accident. The narrative shifts from its primary protagonist --- Hal, Charley's 14-year-old brother --- who feigns indifference at Charley's situation when he really, desperately wants his sister back, and Charley, trapped in a body that no longer responds to her commands. Both teens sojourn back and forth in time, their present day minds touching one another on occasion, leaving Hal convinced that someone witnessed Charley's accident --- someone who could have helped her but didn't. Both Hal and Charley search their memories for answers, but at the same time seem incapable of transcending the unfolding events of the present. Complicating matters for Hal is Jack, a girl his age whose family also owns a beach house nearby. Hal gets his first taste of romance with Jack, which distracts him from his quest to learn the truth about what happened to Charley. To make matters worse, Jack is the sister of Pete, the "surfing god" Charley was hanging around before the accident --- making him a prime suspect, in Hal's mind. The mystery slowly unfolds, and Hal, with "help" from Charley, moves closer to understanding what happened that fateful night. Dogar's masterful use of language makes this a truly beautiful book, painfully realistic in its depiction of loss as felt by each member of the Ditton clan and mesmerizing in its suspenseful energy. There is something very real in how Hal teases his unconscious sister, hoping that something familiar will somehow prompt her to awaken. As Hal's and Charley's minds intersect throughout the book, you're drawn into an investigation neither immediately understands is happening. Brother and sister possess a recognizable vulnerability in how they interact, both in flashback when they are together and in the nebulous subconscious level in which they currently communicate. Readers will enjoy the rich characters and the skill with which Dogar allows her mystery to blossom. WAVES will have you hooked from the first page and keep you guessing until the very last. Every year sees hundreds of debut young adult novelists, but in 2007 few will be able to pull off such a stunning coup a

Every year the whole family goes to Cornwall, to the beach house, for vacation. Mum, Dad, Charley, Hal, Sara -- one big happy family, every year. Until this year. This year Charley won't be there. This year they won't be much of a happy family anymore. And it's all because of Charley. Charley's staying at home, in a hospital bed, in a coma. Caught somewhere between life and death. She's been that way since Hal found her last summer, washed up on the rocks by the water. Ever since that day, nothing seems right, or even okay anymore. Mum and Dad have been fighting, Mum's unpredictable and distant, Hal is confused and angry, and even Sara asks questions that no one can answer and says things no one can understand. The one thing Hal knows for sure is that his sister is not in the body that lies in that hospital bed. He can't stand to go there. He can't stand to see his vibrant, lively sister colorless and wasted. He can't stand to hear people talk to her like she's a sick child, like the world is still normal. Vacation seems like an escape to Hal. At the beach house, Hal finds he's more trapped than ever. Charley is everywhere: in pictures, in memories, in the secret places they used to explore, in the memories of the new friends he's making, even in his head. Hal is starting to think that there's more to the story than any of them realize. The closer he gets to it, the more he can feel and hear his sister. Maybe he can find the answers that they both need. But, time is running short, and things are starting to seem dangerous. Every answer brings more questions, and Hal doesn't know if he's prepared to do what needs to be done. He only knows that he has to find a way, for Charley, for his family, for himself. While some readers may find it hard to accept the clairvoyant relationship between Hal and Charley, it's not really hard to believe. When you're a kid no one understands you better than your family. Especially a brother or sister that's very close to you in age, and is your best friend. Who else would know you thoughts, and hear you when no one else is listening? Not just a touching story (yes I cried) but beautiful. Yes, it's heartwarming, and heartbreaking. Sure, it's a coming of age story. It's also mysterious and surprisingly suspenseful. The characters are full, whole people. They surprise you, and make you angry, and make you feel what they feel. And the ending is the kind of ending that's so right that it makes you mad. It may not be what you expected, or what you wanted, but it's right and it's real. Just like this book. Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman