Scan barcode
A review by ckausch
Forever Changes by Brendan Halpin
3.0
Brianna is very aware that her time in this world is quickly running out, especially after watching her friend, Molly, die from CF. As everyone around her can focus on nothing but getting in to college, she can’t help but wonder if it is worth her effort to apply if she might not be alive in a year. I liked the character of Brianna. I liked that she could allow herself to enjoy being a teenager, but was never shallow and silly about her time in this life and was realistic about her illness. I really appreciated that she did not cling to the stereotypical teen dreams of attending prom or dating the perfect guy. Not every teenager has those types of goals and I love seeing one of those represented at such a serious point in life.
Brianna is aware of the social hierarchy in high school and the importance of appearances, but that does not stop her from embracing her love of math. At times, math is actually what can help her cope; figuring out equations in her head centers her. She develops a friendship with her math teacher, Mr. Eccles, who helps her begin to understand the importance of every number/being, no matter how small, or short their life might be. I really liked the way Halpin ties life and math together in this novel. I was never a math whiz, and I wish I had a teacher like Mr. Eccles who might have given me a different approach to math in my head. Mr. Eccles is also who helps Brianna see a reason to hope to go to college.
The other characters in the novel are less developed, but this was not much of an issue to me as they exist to support Brianna, not provide side stories or anything. I did enjoy the plot of the book, the way Brianna juggles a wide variety of issues – break-ups, divorce, college applications, while facing the knowledge that her body can only take so more. I especially appreciated the fact that I did not know where the book would end. There were several potential ending I felt were being set up by Halpin, and I always enjoy it more when I cannot exactly predict how a book will conclude. That being said, I never found myself completely absorbed into the novel.
If you liked this novel, I would also recommend Frank Deford’s Alex: The Life of a Child, a true story.
Brianna is aware of the social hierarchy in high school and the importance of appearances, but that does not stop her from embracing her love of math. At times, math is actually what can help her cope; figuring out equations in her head centers her. She develops a friendship with her math teacher, Mr. Eccles, who helps her begin to understand the importance of every number/being, no matter how small, or short their life might be. I really liked the way Halpin ties life and math together in this novel. I was never a math whiz, and I wish I had a teacher like Mr. Eccles who might have given me a different approach to math in my head. Mr. Eccles is also who helps Brianna see a reason to hope to go to college.
The other characters in the novel are less developed, but this was not much of an issue to me as they exist to support Brianna, not provide side stories or anything. I did enjoy the plot of the book, the way Brianna juggles a wide variety of issues – break-ups, divorce, college applications, while facing the knowledge that her body can only take so more. I especially appreciated the fact that I did not know where the book would end. There were several potential ending I felt were being set up by Halpin, and I always enjoy it more when I cannot exactly predict how a book will conclude. That being said, I never found myself completely absorbed into the novel.
If you liked this novel, I would also recommend Frank Deford’s Alex: The Life of a Child, a true story.