Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

"Would you rather know what's going to happen or not know?" This is the question that starts the powerful story that is WOULD YOU.

Natalie is Claire's younger sister. Claire has just graduated from high school and she's ready to begin the next chapter of her life. She has told Natalie that she is going to break up with her boyfriend, Joe, that night.

But that night, everything changes.

Nat and her friends sit around at the Ding Dong Diner discussing "would you" questions with each other. Little does Natalie know that the opening question would hit so close to home.

As Natalie is riding her bike home one night during the summer, she passes cops putting up police tape on Devon Road. She doesn't think anything of it until she gets home. There she finds out that her sister has been in an accident. She is still alive, but the doctors aren't very optimistic.

WOULD YOU tells the story of Nat's family over the course of a week during one summer. It explores the turmoil that Nat goes through, as well as the despair and struggles of her parents. Nat feels guilty for some of the thoughts that go through her head. Her friends have a hard time with the situation as well, and constantly stop themselves from saying the wrong things.

WOULD YOU is a short story that holds a powerful punch. Long after the cover has been closed, the reader will be pondering the opening question...would you rather know or not? Would it change anything? ( )

Natalie is the younger sister of beautiful, wonderful Claire, and is the narrator of the story. I won't ruin it by describing the plot, but I will say that this book is basically a stream of consciousness from Natalie as she deals with what she has to deal with. Although I do not enjoy these kinds of books, I do have to admit that I found Natalie's character wholly and completely convincing, and imagine that is exactly how one might behave in a similar situation. I don't think I'd read another book by this author, but girls who like sad stories and are not big readers might enjoy it since the font is large, and the book can be read easily in one sitting. ( )

A heartbreaking account of loss, this story starts as a celebration of youth and family and explores what happens when one life changes dramatically. It's a heartbreaking book. Great book for all teens. ( )

First I have to say that I love the cover of this book. Once you have read the storyline, you will understand about the cover - which, in my opinion, has two meanings.

This YA book starts off with the "Would you" game. Natalie and some of her friends get together and play this game of "would you". I have to say that I had never heard of this before (I guess it was a little after my time as a YA) and that some of the questions (and answers) were pretty disgusting. Yet, I thought it was an interesting way to start a book - throughout the various answers to varied questions sprinkled in the book, you also get some insight into the minds of these teenagers.

The other interesting thing these kids do is pool-hopping, which, frankly, I don't see the point in, but it is an integral part of the story. Basically, these YA are all just doing their thing (with a surprising minimal (read: none) amount of drunks, boozing, etc.).

Yet, you know somehow, behind the under-current of the words that there is a countdown of some type going on - and when it occurs - its a biggie. Natalie is called home one night to be told that her sister (and best friend) Claire, who was weeks away from leaving for college has been hit by a car and is in a coma.

From this point, Natalie's life takes a dramatic change - gone are the joys of being young and free. Natalie is brought to her sister's bed and after some time, her family is told that there is nothing they can do for Claire - that she is brain dead and being kept alive by machines.

Natalie feels lost and cannot turn to anybody. Her mother is hysterical and her dad is being stoic "for the family". The most revealing parts of Natalie are spent when she is alone or when is alone talking to her sister.

I loved the way the author wrote about Natalie's fears (for herself, for her family and for Claire). She managed to honnestly express many feelings that needed to be surfaced - without making Natalie sound whiny or annoying. I also loved the way the author brought all of Natalie's friends in, in various ways, as a support system for Natalie.

Finally, there is the love that Natalie (and the resentment) feels for her sister. How could Claire let this happen?

Finally, a decision must be made and this was one of the saddest chapters I have ever read. I had a clear vision, in my mind, of what Claire looked like lying in that bed - it was all very, very sad.

At the same time, Natalie finds strength in the end.

This is not a "light,witty read" be warned - but it is a story that needed to be told. ( )

Natalie was all set to spend the summer pool-hopping with her friends and whispering secrets to her sister Claire. It was Claire's last summer at home. She'd be heading off to college in the fall. But when Claire is hit by a car, Natalie's whole world changes. Would you rather die or live with terrible brain damage? Would you rather your sister die or live with terrible brain damage? What if you don't get a choice?

Jocelyn's writing really puts you there. I felt like I was running right alongside Nat and her friends, exultant in the possibilities of a summer spent with great friends. Nat's tragedy became my tragedy, too. Recommended for fans of sad books. ( )