This book has wayyyyyyy too many plotholes for it to keep my interest. It also very forgettable. The characters are meh, the plot meh. I really don't know where the writer was going with this but even the ~twist~ at the ending couldn't keep my interest. Unfortunately, awful. ( )

After his parents and sister are killed in a car accident, Mike, the only survivor must come to terms with losing his family and his legs. Bitter and angry, Mike lashes out against the world; however, with the help of his aunt, his best friend Robbie, and a mysterious girl named Sarah, he begins to realize that life may be worth living afterall. When he begins to question Sarah's identity, Mike discovers that she has a secret that will change the way he looks at life forever. Eventhough adults may clue into Sarah's secret before it is actually revealed, I strongly recommend reading this book. The characters are well-developed and believable, and there is enough suspense to keep a younger reader intrigued. ( )

My daughter liked the book even though it made her cry at the beginning. http://www.canadianauthors.net/h/heneghan_james/waiting_for_sarah.php

Michael was in an accident he lost his legs, parents, and little sister. He was really grouchy, but then he met Sara and she made him happy. Then he found out that she was just a sprit/ghost that he waited for so she could get older and now she has to wait for him. ( )

SETTING/TIME
Vancouver, B.C. Late 1990s (but pre- “9/11”) Contemporary; many refs to local landmarks

Elements: recovery from loss / injury, paranormal, murder mystery

CHARACTERS
Mike Scott, high school sr. who has lost his legs and family in car accident
Classic ‘wounded hero’ appeal; smart, surly, injured loner

Sarah Francis; murdered in the ‘80s
Single plot; linear with a few well-delineated flashbacks

PLOT BASICS
Mike returns to Gr. 12 and, while writing a history of the school for the yearbook, meets Sarah who he initially thinks is his helper; realizes she is harbouring a secret (she was murdered on the way home from school in the ‘80s)

PACING
Medium-paced; quite a bit of internal dialogue as Mike wrestles with his feelings of anger, despair, loneliness. Picks up as he begins to change focus to helping Sarah

TONE & STYLE
Bleak and bitter in the beginning; tragic flashbacks; evolves into a hopeful ending, though style remains edgy (doesn’t get “gooey)

READING LEVEL/
Upper Jr. high reading level; moderately descriptive.

Provides oblique info about rehab process after traumatic injury

THEME/BIG PICTURE
A “coming – to – terms” novel; Mike overcomes his bitterness and grief by helping to resolve a ‘cold case’ murder

From bleak and bitter to wised-up and hopeful about his future ( )