What it Takes

by Terri Thompson

Bad girl Arianna Summers thinks her life can’t get any worse. Her dad leaves without explanation, her mom is acting psycho, the school principal hates her, and her boyfriend hasn’t called in days. Nothing can ease the pain, and after a particularly bad day, she takes pills from her parents’ medicine cabinet. What happens next is total confusion. One minute she is submerged in ice and the next a tube is being shoved up her nose! Just when she thinks the nightmare has ended, she awakens to a room full of strangers. Thinking that her parents finally followed through with their threat of sending her away, Arianna decides to play along with the game. One look at her nose ring and furious scowl will show them. But her tough girl persona gets a shock when she sees her changed image in the mirror! With the help of a girl she calls ‘Red’, Arianna adapts to the strange ways of the family - dressing a chicken, washing clothes with water from the creek, cooking on a wood stove. And she meets Ray, the best-looking boy she’s ever seen, and falls in love. Despite having no communication with her parents and the need to resolve issues, Arianna comes to accept the people and their way of life. One day, however, tragedy strikes when Red mysteriously disappears, and Arianna connects it to a remembered warning from her grandmother. Unable to help her friend and overwhelmed by grief, she collapses to the floor. Upon awakening, Arianna finds herself in a hospital bed. She is told she’s been in a coma. But what about the people she left behind? What about Ray? Did Red’s disappearance really happen? Does Grandma know more than she’s telling?

294 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Lisa Deckert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arianna has been dealt some bad blows, and she's not handling it well. Her behavior is just making everything worse. But a shift back in time gives her perspective, and helps her summon her own inner strengths.

The descriptions of day to day life from almost a century ago are fascinating. The author does a great job of recreating the "good old days" without sugar-coating them. Drunkenness, evil, and sheer hard work are there, but so is the spirit of family, friendship, and community. Arianna is able to learn from this episode and apply the lessons to her less-than-ideal life.

Altogether a very enjoyable book. Highly recommended.

[Jml · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me entranced from the first page. I read it in a few hours and was totally involved the entire time. Very well written, with well-developed characters, and a plot that holds the reader.
I hope that Terri Thompson has other books in the future.
A must read.

[Carrie courts · Rating 5 out of 5]

so far it is amazinggg! good job mrs thompson!!!

[Kendall Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book Mrs. Thompson, you did a great job!!!! :)

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story. Enjoyed Arianna's trip to the past. Puts a great perspective on family and life.

[Jazlyn Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

:)

[Sharene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd give this book 10 stars!!!!!!

EDIT: I just finished it for the second time, several years after reading it the first time. It was just as wonderful.

[Toni L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a read. Present, Past, Present.
Started reading the second book. Sure hope
it is as good as the first.

[Kayla Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more times I read this book the more I fall in love with it!!

[Lisa Deckert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arianna has been dealt some bad blows, and she's not handling it well. Her behavior is just making everything worse. But a shift back in time gives her perspective, and helps her summon her own inner strengths.

The descriptions of day to day life from almost a century ago are fascinating. The author does a great job of recreating the "good old days" without sugar-coating them. Drunkenness, evil, and sheer hard work are there, but so is the spirit of family, friendship, and community. Arianna is able to learn from this episode and apply the lessons to her less-than-ideal life.

Altogether a very enjoyable book. Highly recommended.

[Tyler Swinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

it looks like a good book

[Josh Olmsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love the book it enspires me lol i wish i could be the cover of your next BOOK!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello