Young Adult Book Reading Challenges discussion

Did you think Ava really see Jackson's ghost? Or is his ghost is a metaphor for the guilt Ava feels over his death. She obviously feels responsible for Jackson's death. Is this feeling justified? Why or why not?

Hard to say, as no one really knows what happens beyond death. I'm leaning towards the metaphor side of the house and feel as though Jackson's ghost is not only a metaphor for Ava's guilt, but for her inability to let go of the love she has lost. I understand why Ava blames herself, and were I in her shoes, I would be wracked with guilt as well. However, I don't think that she should feel guilt and would have told her so. Jackson was a thrill seeker, he didn't need Ava's encouragement. He was also in posession of free will. Once he climbed to the top of the cliff, he should have had the good sense to realise he was taking the dare too far, especially knowing that Ava wasn't daring him in earnest, but rather in light hearted fun. He chose to jump. But back to Ava, I think her guilt in Jackson's death is justified for the simple reason that she planted that particular idea in his head, and ultimately, he died for it.

The whole book I wasn't really sure if Jackson was a ghost or just something conjured up by Ava's mind. Either way, I feel like he was more a product of grief than guilt. Having him still be there, even as a ghost, was better than having lost him completely.

I don't remember if she told his ghost she was sorry for daring him to jump or not, but I feel like if he was brought on buy guilt, that would have been the first thing she did.

I agree with Heather, though, that her guilt is justified. If Jackson had come up with the idea to jump on his own, it would have been way different for Ava. She may still have felt guilty for not getting him to stop, but it's still different then her actually saying the words "I dare you to do it."

Hard to say. It's almost 50/50 with me. You can turn on the radio and almost any song could have deep meaning for your relationship depending on the station. Lots of love songs out there some with great loss. With a lot of guilt in you, I'm sure you can think your loved ones are talking to you.

Part of me also thinks she may have been sleepwalking- do to all the sleeping pills- and had done it herself, like her clothes thrown all around her bedroom. But you have the radio going on and off, the TV, cupboard doors all open and suddenly all closed at once. The author makes it hard to know what exactly is really going on. Making a point to all the inner turmoil Ava is going through.

I think she really saw Jackson's ghost (I also LOVE the Ghost Whisperer, so keep that in mind). At the end, when she decided to let her guilt go, he showed himself to her as he had been in life. Then, he disappeared. His unfinished business was seeing her through the grief of his loss. When she made the step toward recover, he moved on.

It wouldn't be a love story if it was all in her head. The romantic part is that even death can't seperate them or destroy their love.