Notice: This is an independent companion to If I Stay, meant to enhance your experience of the novel. If you have not yet bought If I Stay, make sure to purchase it before buying this unofficial Sidekick.

If you’re a fan of Gayle Forman’s work, or just someone who loves a good novel, you are sure to find tons of entertaining, eye-opening content in this Sidekick.

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7:09 AM.

Mia, an aspiring Julliard musician wakes up in a hospital, with hardly any recollection of what has transpired.

There was a car crash… But what happened to her? Did her family make it out of the accident OK? Will she herself survive?

As the magnitude of the tragedy becomes apparent, Mia, the protagonist of If I Came, realizes that her life will never be the same. The question that comes to define her life, and the novel, is: “stay or go, live or die.”

Taking place over the course of just 24 hours, the story of If I Stay caught readers’ attention, not just because of the redeeming message of hope, but also the innovative narrative structure, recounted minute-by-minute in almost real-time. Throughout the story, Forman leaves key questions open, inviting the reader to put herself in Mia’s shoes and ask what she would do if she lost everything.

This Sidekick to If I Stay explores the novel’s key questions, with in-depth chapter analyses, character profiles, and insightful commentary you won’t find anywhere else. Lauren Krouse delves deep into Forman’s complex literary fabric, highlighting the symbolic touches and literary flourishes that make If I Stay such an unforgettable novel.

In this Sidekick, you will find:

• Chapter synopses. Detailed breakdowns of the events of each chapter, as seen through Mia’s eyes. If you find Forman’s narrative style confusing, the synopses in this section will make everything crystal clear and easy to understand. Each summary also comes with an analysis, putting the chapter into perspective and bringing out its significance.

• Exploration of Alternate Endings. If I Stay is above all a story about possibilities. If just one little thing had gone differently early in the story, the entire outcome would have been completely different. In the alternate ending section you will discover alternate possibilities Forman could have explored, which will provide plenty of food for thought for weeks to come.

• Themes and symbols. How much do we need to sacrifice to truly make a change in our lives? What role does love have to play in the brutal trials and tribulations Mia faces? These and other questions are explored in the themes and symbols section.

• Character analysis. Why does Mia struggle between life and death? What makes Adam “the perfect boyfriend”? Why did Kim and Mia become so close after initially hating each other? In the character analysis section you’ll discover the subtle and brilliant touches Forman has used to make her characters complex, interesting, and ultimately lovable.

• The Backstory. Learn more about what motivated Forman to write If I Stay, and how the novel relates to a profound tragedy in her own life.

If I Stay is a beautiful, touching novel with a profoundly innovative storytelling method. This Sidekick to If I Stay helps you get the most out of Forman’s brilliant novel, illuminating its subtler points for a more fun and impactful overall experience.