When suicidal Jane boards the plane heading from her residential mental health facility to her mother's home for Christmas, she never intends to make it there alive. But as she prepares to swallow a handful of pills in the airplane's bathroom, the plane goes down in a blizzard in the middle of the wilderness. She and Paul, an annoying, callous older boy are the only survivors. After she saves Paul's life, the two of them set out to search for help. As they journey through the treacherous wilderness, Jane not only finds love, but the will to survive. Unfortunately, it soon becomes clear that only one of them will make it back to civilization alive.
A haunting, suspenseful, bittersweet book, this story is just as much a tale of inner growth as one of survival. Especially good for those pondering the deeper questions of life. Why did suicidal Jane live while others died? What keeps us going day to day - and why? What is our responsibility to others? Although the love between Jane and Paul is rushed and a bit contrived, and the wilderness survival premise has been used in many other books (Touching Spirit Bear, Hatchet), the female point-of-view, emotional journey, and fearless ending set it apart. Would make a good read for teen book clubs.
HS - ESSENTIAL. Reviewed by: Caryn
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