In a Heartbeat

In a Heartbeat

By Loretta Ellsworth

20 ratings 16 reviews 63 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 6 - 8Grades 2 - 4n/a451188

For fans of Gabrielle Zevin and Lurlene McDaniel, In a Heartbeat explores the ties of family and the weight of regret when a mistake costs Eagan her life during a figure-skating competition. Left in the afterlife, reflecting on what she could have done differently, Eagan's still-beating heart is given to Amelia who has been waiting patiently for a transplant. When their thought, feelings, and dreams begin to mysteriously overlap, Amelia knows she must search for Eagan's family and find a way to give them all the closure they need move on.

Praise for In a Heartbeat:

"[A] dramatic story of loss and second chances. . . a highly satisfying read." -Booklist

"Readers will likely come away teary-eyed and inspired." -Publishers Weekly

Publisher: Walker Childrens
Published on 2/15/2011
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 224

Book Reviews (16)

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Oh my gosh! This book is so dang good! I want to read it over, and over again!

This tearjerker is about a girl named Amelia who needs a heart transplant and Eagen who died. In the book you see both sides of these 2 girls about why Eagen died and what happens when Amelia gets her new heart. Eagen was Amelia's donor. I highly recommend this book!!

Great book. I have always wondered if people who received organs from another person felt different. Made me cry and laugh all at the same time.

best book ever

Yazmin:) Yazmin:)

This Book. . . Makes You Cry :( Though Teaches The Most Important Things. LOVED IT! <3

jamie jamie

Do you guys know if this is a nonfiction or fiction? Btw, i loved this book, i was just wondering if it were nonfiction so i could use it for my proj.!!

jasmine jasmine

i think it is a really good book and i almost cryed during the book

I love this book it felt like it was so good and it had me crying because it was soo sad.

i have it but I haven't read it yet. I hope it's good :) it looks a little bit sad though

When a small mistake costs sixteen-year-old Eagan her life during a figure-skating competition, she leaves many things unreconciled, including her troubled relationship with her mother. From her vantage point in the afterlife, Eagan reflects back on her memories, and what she could have done differently, through her still-beating heart. When fourteen-year-old Amelia learns she will be getting a heart transplant, her fear and guilt battle with her joy at this new chance at life. And afterwards when she starts to feel different—dreaming about figure skating, craving grape candy—her need to learn about her donor leads her to discover and explore Eagan’s life, meeting her grieving loved ones and trying to bring the closure they all need to move on.

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