How to Save a Life

I am not sure what persuaded me to pick up this book.  It may have been the cover, the jacket summary, the fact that it is NOT a dystopian novel, but whatever it was I am certainly glad I read it.  How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr is all about the relationships between mothers/daughters, boyfriends/girlfriends, employers/employees and complete strangers.
Jill is a typical suburban style seventeen year old until her father is killed in a tragic accident.  The loss of her father drives a wedge between Jill and her mother, Robin.  The divide becomes even larger when Mandy, a pregnant teen from the Midwest, enters their lives.  Robin and Mandy have a verbal agreement for Robin to adopt Mandy's unborn baby.  However, as the birth date looms closer Mandy is undecided and confused.  At this point of the story I was certain that Mandy would bolt and something terrible would happen to Robin and Jill; however, I was stunned at the beautiful twist in the end.  The novel brought tears of joy to my eyes and reconfirmed the infinite power of how one person's choice can effect many.  This is a touching novel of the human spirit and guaranteed to touch your heart.     
                F ZAR