Everything I Thought I Knew by Shannon Takaoka
Published by Candlewick Press on October 13, 2020
ISBN: 1536207764
Pages: 320
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Senior, Chloe Russell, is in the beginning of what is to be a fulfilling year with AP courses, track and extracurricular activities that would look good on a college resume. Then she passes out a track practice only to find that her heart is failing and the only chance is a new heart. Which only means that someone else has to die in order for her to survive.

After being whisked away in the middle of the night, when the phone call came in to say her new heart is on the way to the hospital, Chloe awakes to realize that she is breathing better, she can feel her hands and feet and that she is thankful to be alive. Then the dreams start coming of blood, and crashing, seeing people that she thinks she knows, but not sure how and the places she remembers even though she has never been there before.

An outstanding book  on a topic that isn’t discussed often — organ transplants and the questions that are asked about how life is fragile, the aspects of death and the possibilities of memories/experiences that might be carried on from donor to recipient.

Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.