Review: Unusual
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 03 6, 2012
This is a very touching story obviously aimed at a younger audience but also able to be enjoyed by seniors. It tells the story of a popular girl who does the usual mean acts to remain popular among her peers being forced to do community service. Her punishment for cheating is to read to a teen in a coma after an accident. During the process she discovers strengths and a depth of character she never knew she had.All in all an interesting topic and one close my heart but I found it unrealistic given Zach's high dependency he would be cared for at home.In the whole book there wasn't another carer in sight except this medically inept teen. Really Strange. Surely given Zach's wholly dependant state, he would have been in a clinic at the very least, even in America. Such patients need constant monitoring. So not at all convincing from a medical standpoint.Another area that wasn't explored and would have added more depth to the story would be a greater interaction between the heroine and Zach's parents especally more interation with Zach's father. The one brief glimpse given of this pivotal character didn't satisfy this reader. I wanted so much more.And I found the mother totally uncomvincing. But my view may be coloured by having been in exactly that position with one of my sons. And yes we had to make the life support decision.This book, while cute, had the potential to be so much more. In this sense it disappointed this reader. It is a glib attempt at a deeply emotional topic and just too superficial to satisfy.