Who Would Like This Book:
This novel delivers a raw, emotional journey of healing and perseverance after trauma, following Annabelle as she literally runs across the country to process pain she can hardly name. Deb Caletti’s writing shines with empathy, honesty, and insight into how young women navigate a world that demands so much of them. Readers who appreciate deeply character-driven stories, contemporary YA, and books that tackle big issues like grief, guilt, and the resilience of the human spirit will definitely connect with Annabelle’s race toward self-acceptance. If you enjoy authors like Laurie Halse Anderson or Gayle Forman, this is absolutely worth picking up.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers struggled with the slow reveal of Annabelle’s trauma, finding the story’s pacing and emotional ambiguity frustrating at times. The frequent flashbacks and sometimes choppy structure can feel a bit disorienting, and the heavy themes may be too intense for those looking for a lighter read. If you prefer fast-moving plots or more straightforward storytelling, or you’re sensitive to topics like gun violence or trauma, this might not be the easiest book to dive into.
About:
Annabelle Agnelli, a high school senior who survives a tragedy, decides to run across the country from Seattle to Washington D.C. to cope with her trauma. Along the way, she gains supporters and learns about the impact of her actions on others. The book delves into themes of trauma, resilience, and the journey towards healing, all while exploring the complexities of societal attitudes and personal struggles. The writing style includes flashbacks that gradually reveal the backstory, creating a captivating and emotional narrative that blends high school drama with poignant reflections on personal growth.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include sexual assault, gun violence, and themes of trauma and mental health challenges.
From The Publisher:
"This is one for the ages." -Gayle Forman, author of the #1 bestseller If I Stay
"A book everyone should read right now." -The New York Times Book Review
"A vital and heartbreaking story that brings together the #MeToo movement, the effects of gun violence, and the struggle of building oneself up again after crisis." -Elle
"Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful." -BookPage
A Printz Honor Book
Each step on Annabelle's 2,700 mile cross-country run brings her closer to facing a trauma from her past in National Book Award finalist Deb Caletti's novel about the heart, all the ways it breaks, and its journey to healing. Because sometimes against our will, against all odds, we go forward.
Then…
Annabelle's life wasn't perfect, but it was full-full of friends, family, love. And a boy…whose attention Annabelle found flattering and unsettling all at once.
Until that attention intensified.
Now…
Annabelle is running. Running from the pain and the tragedy from the past year. With only Grandpa Ed and the journal she fills with words she can't speak out loud, Annabelle runs from Seattle to Washington, DC, and toward a destination she doesn't understand but is determined to reach. With every beat of her heart, every stride of her feet, Annabelle steps closer to healing-and the strength she discovers within herself to let love and hope back into her life.
Annabelle's journey is the ultimate testament to the human heart, and how it goes on after being broken.
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What can you read after
A Heart in a Body in the World?
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