The Survival Kit by Donna Freitas

Release Date: October 11^th 2011

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 351 pages

Source: Borrowed

Series: Stand Alone

When Rose’s mom dies, she leaves behind a brown paper bag labeled Rose’s Survival Kit. Inside the bag, Rose finds an iPod, with a to-be-determined playlist; a picture of peonies, for growing; a crystal heart, for loving; a paper star, for making a wish; and a  paper kite, for letting go.

As Rose ponders the meaning of each item, she finds herself returning again and again to an unexpected source of comfort. Will is her family’s gardener, the school hockey star, and the only person who really understands what she’s going through. Can loss lead to love?

Do you know how much I hate it when there is a great book that doesn’t get enough attention like its brothers and sisters? The answer is obvious. It's the worst thing ever. Because if it wasn’t for my wondering self, I wouldn’t have picked up The Survival Kit. What I am trying to say is that I haven’t heard or read a review for this book, even though it was a great,sad, full of emotions book.

This book has all you want from a realistic teen fiction. Its reveals the complicated life that we all have to go through. But in this book there are the survival kit that Rose's mom makes for her to survive her mom's death. Personally, I found each thing in the survival kit symbolizes a better life, a second chance and faith.

I also liked the fact that the love story in this novel wasn’t the main thing. The main thing was how rose is living without her mom. And I think the author does a great job in doing so.

This was a great book that needs more attention and please go read it because I am officially recommending it to you.