49 pages 1 hour read

Matt de la Peña

I Will Save You

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2010

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

I Will Save You by Matt de la Peña follows Kidd, a resident of a halfway house for troubled youths who spends the summer at a beach resort in California. There, Kidd becomes involved in a love triangle with his new girlfriend Olivia and his erratic former best friend Devon, leading to a conflict that makes Kidd confront his past and his mental health challenges related to depression and PTSD. The novel deals with themes of depression, violence, and trauma.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

<I Will Save You> by Matt de la Peña has garnered praise for its compelling, emotionally charged narrative and complex character development. Readers appreciated the authentic portrayal of teen struggles and the engaging writing style. Some critics noted that the story's pacing could be uneven, and a few found the plot twists predictable. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read I Will Save You?

Ideal for readers aged 12-17 who enjoy gripping, contemporary YA fiction that explores themes of mental health, trauma, and redemption. Fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and Looking for Alaska by John Green would particularly connect with this emotionally intense narrative.

Recommended

Reading Age

12-18years

Lexile Level

770L

Book Details

Topics

Depression / Suicide

Mental Illness

Education

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Education

Modern Classic Fiction

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Emotions/Behavior: Fear

Identity: Mental Health