All We Know of Heaven

Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

I have read and reviewed many books over the past two years that have impressed me. I have read only a handful, however, that have touched me as deeply as ALL WE KNOW OF HEAVEN. This is a book that's hard to describe in detail, due mainly to the fact that I don't want to give too much of the story away. Suffice it to say, however, that it's a story that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Two girls, Bridget and Maureen, who are so similar and yet so different at the same time. They have nearly identical body shapes, have the same colored hair and eyes, and even share many of the same mannerisms and characteristics. They've been best friends for several years, and yet there's a show more part of Maureen that understands that Bridget considers her to be her friend out of convenience, and for what she can provide for her.

Then there is an accident, a deadly one, and the lives of two girls and their families are forever changed. One girl dies, one girl lives. One family buries their daughter, one rejoices and yet fears over the fact that their daughter, now forever changed, lies unconscious and unknowing in a hospitable bed. Yet through it all, interspersed throughout the pages of the story, are the tangled thoughts of a young woman, who is unable to grasp even the simplest words and put them to the images she sees, yet who understands the concept that she's not the girl everyone seems to think she is.

The wrong daughter buried, the wrong family rejoicing. Fear, regret, heartbreak, happiness, hope -- and with it all, through it all, tinged by it all, lies guilt. Guilt that one girl survived, and one didn't. Guilt that one mother once hoped her daughter might die, to spare them all the pain of a long recovery. Guilt that one family's prayers seemed to be answered, and another's joy was cut short.

Guilt that one girl is not the other, could never be the other, and yet seems to be stepping into the life that girl left behind.

Jacquelyn Mitchard can write. She writes so well, in fact, that the reader is unable to step outside of the story of Maureen and Bridget once they've begun reading it. You can feel the pain, the happiness, the sorrow. You understand, and you grieve, and you rejoice, right along with the characters of ALL WE KNOW OF HEAVEN. This is a story you won't soon forget -- nor will you want to. show less

Jacquelyn Mitchard has created another beautifully written, heartbreaking story. Maureen and Bridget are practically sisters, having grown up together and being best friends. When a car accident kills one of them and leaves the other in a coma, everyone mourns Maureen and prays for Bridget's recovery. Until they find out that Bridget is the one who died and Maureen is in the coma.

More than once, this book had me in tears. Maureen's story (and it's Bridget's too) is heartbreaking, but hopeful.

I thought this was a good book, but it had one major problem--believability. Okay, I know this situation of a bad accident and thinking it was one person who died but it was actually the other has happened in the past, and I'm fine with that. I'm fine that they made a book about it. What I'm not fine with is how unbelievable everything else is. Like the girl who survived happened to be the nicer of the two. The girl who survived's family is more religious than the other family. They also didn't react so violently when they thought it was their girl who had died. The boyfriend happened to realize he always loved the girl who survived more than his actual girlfriend who was the one who died. Then there's the fact that she recovered so show more quickly. In the book there was a scene where the nurse told the mother not to expect too much and that it wasn't like a movie where in one scene the girl is lying there helpless and in the next she's taking her first unassisted steps.... and yet, that's what the book was like. She was in a coma forever and then it seemed like in no time at all she was out of the hospital and back to school. If you look past all of that, though, I liked this book. I don't know anything about people with brain injuries, but I thought the girl's speech and actions were realistic. show less

The author has created a spell-binding, captivating story. While some may be familiar with the story, for those of us who don't watch morning TV, it was all new ... and more fascinating. I found myself sneaking ahead (more than once). This is an ensemble cast of characters, each with their own perspective and depth. The author does a masterful job helping you see the world from each of their perspectives.

To read our full review (complete with the kids' opinions!) go to The Reading Tub®.

Very average. I felt disconnected from the story. Characters were introduced in a rapid flood, almost all being unmemorable. Interesting premise, just poor execution.

I was really bored after the initial suspense wore off (aka. they found out they made a mistake at the hospital, etc.).

Two girls, best friends who look alike are in a car accident. One dies - and the other is so severely injured she is unrecognizable. Which one is dead? And who is the brain injured girl lying in a coma?