Book Description Review “The novel is extraordinary for its unflinching look at both depression and chronic illness. Without sugarcoating, sentimentalizing, or trivializing either, it never slips into pathos. The depiction of mental health struggles is profoundly accurate and understanding. A gift to readers.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review))”The shifting perspectives add nice depth. McGovern skillfully imbues her characters with realistic voices. With a plot that moves swiftly, ratcheting up the tension until the crisis, this brilliant, nuanced, and hopeful title will have wide appeal, particularly from fans of authors such as John Green or Sarah Dessen.” (Booklist (starred review))”Approach[es] difficult topics from sensitive, age-appropriate perspectives. The resolution, like the teens’ relationship, unfolds carefully, without sugarcoating, and feels genuinely earned.” (Horn Book Magazine)”McGovern deftly handles the classic sickbed romance elements of her story, but what makes the tale especially rich is the alternating narration. Thoughtful romance fans will appreciate the dimensionality of the characters and the lack of inevitability about the protagonists’ final resolution; non-romance readers will also find the authenticity of the human dynamics here a rewarding read.” (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)”McGovern skillfully raises the dramatic tension. David’s surreal out-of-body episodes [are] reminiscent of those in Gayle Forman’s If I Stay. Sobering in its exploration of mental and physical illness, McGovern’s sensitive, well-crafted novel leads readers to an optimistic outcome.” (Publishers Weekly) Read more About the Author Cammie McGovern is the author of Say What You Will as well as the adult novels Neighborhood Watch, Eye Contact, and The Art of Seeing. Cammie is also one of the founders of Whole Children, a resource center that runs after-school classes and programs for children with special needs. She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, with her husband and three children. Read more Customers Review: Just the situation both Jamie and David are in at the start of this story would make it riveting, but the author keeps digging while slowly feeding readers more details about what life was like for each of them before they met. You start to appreciate just how determined these teens are to try going beyond the physical and emotional constraints placed upon them. In David’s case, it’s his failing lungs that also threaten to bring down other vital organs, not to mention his parents’ ‘just get better and you’ll be off to college’ mantra. For Jamie, it’s the pitfall-strewn road back from depression and a suicidal episode, coupled with her painful awareness that her former friends are, at best tolerating her, and at worst are using her to make themselves feel better. Kudos for David’s sister Eileen. She’s appealing all the way through the story, no matter what she wears or does. What really struck me was what happened after their third trip from the hospital. I don’t want to give anything away, but that whole part of the story was lights-out the way it was written. This is a truly rich and emotional story of illness, recovery and perseverance. It’s an excellent choice for all school and public libraries.
David has fought with cystic fibrosis all of his life, and now, during his senior year of high school, he just might be dying. No one seems to understand him and his desire to slow down, to pause all of the high expectations his parents and his girlfriend Sharon have for him. One day, when a sophomore volunteer named Jamie shows up to his hospital room, David’s life changes forever. Though Jamie struggles with depression and has no genuine friends, she finds a friend in David as they enjoy spending time together. They will both have to learn how to take risks and open up to each other, though some risks might be too dangerous to take.I enjoyed this book very much, even though at times the subjects covered were very sad. Reading about David’s daily struggle to survive and Jamie’s ongoing battle with depression was heartbreaking, and yet it was life-affirming as both of them achieved small victories. The descriptive, realistic writing and hopeful tone of the book invested me in the characters’ welfare and the outcome of their story. I didn’t care for the profanity used, but overall I believe this is a book that everyone should read.I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss and purchased a copy from Amazon. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
As a person who is relatively healthy I enjoy reading about characters who struggle with disability. While lately I’ve dealt with various health conditions with loved ones I can’t imagine needing a new pair of lungs. Just Breathe takes us on that journey and gives us a glimpse of what that might be like through the eyes of a depressive girl dealing with her own issues.Did Just Breathe make this Fangirl’s heart ache in all the best ways?Yes! This is really about two teens who become friends because they are both dealing with the darker side of life. They are trying to cope and learn that it’s easier when you share the struggle. Recently I met a woman who had a lung transplant and is dealing with rejection struggles as mentioned in the book. It really allowed me to see how genuinely the lung transplant was represented. But what made Just Breathe so incredible to me was the combo of depression, awkward teen and friends to lovers.Jaime’s needy, depressive self made me want to hug her.I loved Jamie. She really sucked me into Just Breathe. We meet David through her volunteering at the hospital where he spends his time dealing with cystic fibrosis. She’s no longer hanging out with her friends and making new ones isn’t likely to happen. Not until David reaches out through email. I just really identified with her friendlessness, her difficulty in talking about her depression and her very real reasons to want to end her life.Through Jamie’s friendship with David we get to see how she copes and witness her healing from the past. It’s a very realistic look at dealing with depression. David didn’t cure her, she still has to struggle with depression, but she can also live her life and be happy.David’s raw journey with cystic fibrosis is harrowingly real.On the other hand I didn’t always like David, when you have a chronic illness it does tend to be all about you. Too much about you, so much so you don’t think about your loved ones as much as you should. And they think about you too much. David is dealing with parents and a girlfriend who totally resemble that dilemma. It’s hard to read at times, but I enjoyed getting an honest look at the ramifications of the disease. It’s raw, realistic and harrowing.Through David’s friendship with Jamie we see him gain perspective about his transplant situation. His life will not flow the same as other teens who don’t have to deal with his same circumstance. Jamie didn’t always support David in the most healthy of ways, but she did help give him the freedom to make a stand for the life he wants to live going forward.Just Breathe is messy, difficult teen struggles brought to life.Jamie and David aren’t the only ones struggling in Just Breathe. There’s also his sister, Eileen, who is the neglected child of parents who concentrate on their chronically ill son. I loved how we thought her struggle was about attention when it was really about secrets. It felt so genuine to me. Teens keep secrets from their parents. And they don’t always know what to do with them.We also have Jamie’s mom who has just gotten her daughter through a tough time in their lives. She doesn’t want to see this sick kid, David, pull her daughter off the rails. You can’t blame her. She was such a realistic mom that had me seeing both sides. And there’s David’s girlfriend, who is struggling to stay by his side even though that means hanging out in a hospital. She too has a secret and doesn’t handle the situation in the best way.Just Breathe explores in depth the things we keep hidden from each other. And what happens when we open up to someone who might possibly understand.It’s all in the details. From old movies and inspirational quotes to origami and art.I’ve said it in the past and I’ll probably say it again in the future… the details make the story. This time it was origami and old movies that brought these friends together. These shared activities helped them to see each other’s perspective and deepened their relationship. I liked that there was a hint of romance at the end. They understood each other and the impermanence of life, so it makes sense to me that they’d take the love of friends and transition it to something more.I also really appreciated how Jamie came across as an artist with depression. Since art was such a huge part of her life it makes sense that sometimes it was something she couldn’t handle. The use of origami then became a lifesaver. Both were such an integral part of her personal journey.The end of Just Breathe is just right for Jamie and David’s journeys, together and as individuals. The future is filled with hope even though their struggles continue.Just Breathe brings together two damaged teens who struggle together and find they can be the support the other needs. Life will still have it’s ups and downs but they can face them as a couple with whatever time they have left. It’s not just about living but living the life they want well.
I love this book because the characters are so relatable. Like all of Cammie McGovern’s characters, they drew me in and I cared so much about their fates that I read the book in two sittings. Both David and Jamie live in between life and death for two different reasons, and the old movie metaphors are perfect. Dance is also a fitting symbol of their connection to one another as well as their precarious relationship to the world. As an adult reader, I appreciate this book because it speaks to me on a much more rich, complex level than I would normally anticipate from a YA novel. Read Just Breathe; you’ll be glad you did.
Once again Cammie McGovern explores relationship among people who are disabled in various ways, both visible and invisible. David is a popular senior class president who has mostly successfully hidden his ongoing battle against cystic fibrosis; Jamie is a mousy sophomore who covers up her depression. She learns of his disease while volunteering at the hospital where he is admitted from time to time for his treatments; in conversations with him she gradually reveals the demons that have been haunting her. Their problems are dealt with in a sympathetic, engaging way which avoids cliches and easy answers. Her richest and most enjoyable YA novel to date. |
5 reviews