Borrowed

Gr 9 Up—A year after her heart transplant, Linnea is trying her best to stay present and grateful. Then she starts having memories that aren't her own. A year after her sister dies, Maxine is having trouble keeping her grieving family together, and can't shake the idea that Harper's drowning wasn't an accident. Maxine and Linnea have never met, but they're connected because Harper's heart is in Linnea's chest, beating stronger every day. Maxine is looking for answers. Together they may be able to cobble together what happened the night Harper died. DiStefano's character development is outstanding; all three girls are complex and nuanced. Maxine's attempt to take the helm of her crumbling family is heartbreaking, as are her relationships with a boy who helps her remember Harper, and one who helps her forget. The gusto with which Linnea pursues her dream of being a pastry chef, and her burgeoning romance with the boy next door are full of joy, as well as the weight of only recently acknowledging that she has a future to look forward to. The slightly clichéd plot works its way toward a truly twisty third act, but by that time, readers are invested in the characters enough to take the leap.