Review: The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

Title: The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

Published: December 8th 2011 by Razorbill

Source: Library

Challenge(s): Support your Local Library

Grade rate: A+

Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.

My Review

The Probability of Miracles is an AMAZING novel.  I was a little hesitant to read it since it has to do with cancer and therefore I prepared myself for a heartbreaking story. Instead I got so much more.

Cam is a unique character. She is snarky, brutally honest, realistic, funny and lacking in faith.  She is very loving (deep, deep inside!) but hides her feelings with sarcasm, irony and by acting up. Cam is in no way perfect, in fact she is quite the opposite, and makes it hard for others to love her or even like her, but in spite it all, we can't help but fall in love with her.

On the other hand, Asher tries very hard to be perfect, but he doesn't need to be. He is so loving and at the same time starving for affection. He has a twisted view of reality and fate and I am so glad that Cam and Asher found each other and were able to grow, at least for the time they had, together. There are many unforgettable characters: Cam's mother Alicia and her utter faith that Cam would beat her disease, her sister Perry and her understanding of it all, her grandma (she is hilarious!), even Sunny and Lily. 

The plot is incredibly well played. The story is well paced, even if it seemed slow at the beginning and the writing is amazing. Ms. Wunder is a character builder and she creates situations that gives us insight as to the nature of her characters and at the same time allows them to grow. The story is laugh-out-loud hilarious at points, but needless to say I cry at the very end. A note of caution: I would recommend the book to older readers since it has a bit of bad language, shoplifting and some sexual content.

I am eager to see what Ms. Wunder has in store for us next, as I think she has gained a new fan.

About the cover: There is so much in this cover. The background of the blue sky, the girl seems to be reflecting. The feathers and the pink color have to do with flamingos (you have to read it to know why) and the different meanings this has throughout the book.