What a book- devastating, suspenseful, heart-warming, hopeful- all in one! I liked the format of the story with alternating chapters of present day and the airplane crash. I felt such a sense of panic during the scenes of the plane crash. I love the overall message of healing and grief. Edward learned that he did not need to carry the weight of fulfilling everyone else’s dream as long as he lived his own life to the fullest. I’m glad that the author chose to tell Edward’s story across several years so the readers can experience his healing process. Highly recommend this book!

An understated, quiet and powerful novel about loss, grief and discovery. An uplifting tribute to life and friendship.

**I received an electronic ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review of this book.

I enjoyed reading this book but felt underwhelmed. I really didn't connect with any of the characters and I really wanted to. More emotion, more connection, more grief. Flashbacks from present to past were clunky and I don't think they served the purpose the author intended. I just didn't feel anything for any of the characters, except maybe Shay. Edward seemed devoid of emotion which was frustrating. Aside from all its shortcomings, I did enjoy the read and it did contain some gems. Felt the ending was a quick wrap up, and left me wanting more. Overall, it was a decent read.

Flight 2977 from New York to California carried 192 souls: a wounded soldier, a mathematician, a dying magnate, a runaway hippie, a screenwriter, and so many more. Twelve-year-old Edward was the sole survivor of its crash. Napolitano poignantly details Edward's slog back to personhood and the others who help him recover: his feisty neighbor, his methodical uncle, his aunt who never expected her wish for a child to be answered like this. Alternating chapters cover the hours leading up the crash, as his fellow passengers lay out plans for lives they will never see. Messy and moving.

Dear Edward is exactly what I was expecting. But better. It goes beyond the typical coming of age story. Edward is growing up and trying to figure out who he is in the face of profound tragedy. This story explores what it means to be defined by something that very few other human beings have experienced and still come out of it as yourself.

I truly loved this book. I really liked how it was told not just through Edward’s point of view after the plane crash, but also in vignettes of other passengers on the plane, including his parents and brother. Getting to know some of those who died in the crash made it feel more real, and more tragic. But what makes this book special is that, yes, it was sad. But I came out of it with a smile on my face instead of wanting to cry. It was difficult to read at times, but it was also hopeful. I think that feeling is what I enjoyed the most.

Ann Napolitano’s writing is really beautiful, and I appreciate the way she told this story. As much as I wanted to fly through this book to get my planned review up (it’s a bad book blogger habit), I couldn’t help but slow down and savor the words. I also couldn’t put it down, so it ended up being a fairly fast read.

If you enjoy family dramas that (probably) won’t destroy you, I would highly recommend Dear Edward. I think fans of Celeste Ng in particular will really like this book.

Edward, a young boy, is the sole survivor of a horrific plane crash. On their way to relocating from NY to LA, his entire family as well as over a hundred other passengers are wiped out in a moment when a pilot makes a tragic mistake. This sad, but uplifting novel follows Edward as he grieves the loss of everything he knows though his eventual acceptance of his life and his place in the world. The book is told in two timelines, one during the flight where the reader learns about certain passengers and the days and years that follow the crash. The book is beautifully written with memorable characters, expert timing,. The author perfectly captures the atmosphere of a coast to coast flight. It's a novel I won't soon forget.

I found this heartwrenching to read, verging on emotionally manipulative. I did love the writing style, if not the story. I'm looking forward to reading more from Napolitano, but am hopeful the next book won't be so grim.

Twelve-year old Edward is the sole survivor of a commercial plane crash that has killed his family. The story of his before and after splits into two extremely compelling threads. The first is pre-crash where the reader learns about Edward’s family and introduces other passengers, sharing their stories and perspectives leading up to the fateful flight. The second focuses on Edward post-crash, his struggles, influences and healing path to a new normal with supportive people by his side. Edward’s journey is realistic and thoughtfully captured by Napolitano.

I wish I could give Dear Edward 10 stars. The plot summary immediately caught my interest. A plane from New York to LA crashes in Colorado and 191 passengers and crew die. There is one survivor, a 12 year old boy. When I began the book I had no idea in what direction the story would go. Was it to be a mystery, a tale of the supernatural or a psychological drama? I was onboard no matter where it took us, but I was not expecting to be so totally and completely captivated by young Edward and his journey.
The author created a format with two distinct threads. In one we follow Edward as he attempts to rebuild his life. In the other, which alternates chapters through the book, we follow the flight of the doomed plane minute by minute to its inevitable tragic conclusion. As a result of this technique, the reader is filled with building tension while in the air and then deals with the emotional tragedy on the ground over and over again. It is a powerful strategy.
Rarely have I read a book with greater sensitivity and awareness of the elements that make us human.. We ache for Edward as he navigates a world without his mother, father and big brother, but we also come to love the people who are struggling to support him. His aunt and uncle who had been trying unsuccessfully to have a baby of their own, the school principal who reaches out tenderly with his collection of ferns, and the girl next door, an equally complex and wounded soul.
This book was the saddest and most triumphant I have read in a long time. I am in awe of Ann Napolitano’s craftsmanship and insights and look forward to reading more by her.

I received a complimentary digital galley of DEAR EDWARD by Ann Napolitano in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Dial Press / Random House Publishing and Netgalley for the chance to read and review!

DEAR EDWARD follows Edward Adler. As a twelve year old Eddie is moving with his family to Los Angeles, leaving on a full flight out of Newark. Some hours later the plane crashes and Edward is the only survivor. Still recovering from his injuries and dealing with the trauma of the crash and the loss of his parents and his older brother, Edward goes to live with his aunt and uncle. People around the world are caught up in his miraculous story, including those who lost loved ones on the downed plane.

The book is told in alternating sections. Edward’s story from the time he wakes up in the hospital is played out over the next several years. He befriends the neighbor girl and works with a therapist to deal with everything he has been through. In the alternating sections the author gives us the hours spent on the plane with rapidly shifting points of view between different passengers. We hear more about why they’re on board and what is waiting for them in California.

This book was so heartbreaking, but so beautifully done at the same time! Edward is a character who will absolutely tug at your heartstrings. The trauma he experienced and the ways in which he deals with it feel very real. I love that the author gave us his story spread out over years because this is the type of experience that of course would stay with you. It isn’t about getting over it, is more about finding a way to continue on.

Though I was drawn more into the chapters that gave us Edward’s story, I did like seeing the stories of those people on board the plane. Of course knowing that none of them made it to their destination to fulfill their dreams and plans was again heartbreaking. I wasn’t quite as drawn into all of their stories, but getting the point of view of Edward’s parents and his brother definitely added to the story for me!

This was a quick read, though not always an easy one. If you happen to be looking for a coming of age story for a 2020 reading challenge, this is one I would highly recommend!

DEAR EDWARD will be out on Monday January 6, 2020 and it was also a Book of the Month pick for December, so keep your eyes out for this one!

I will update with Blog and Instagram post links once they go live.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book!

I was going to wait until a little closer to the publication day to share my thoughts on this one but I can’t wait. Dear Edward was a beautiful meditation on loss and overcoming grief. Edward is the soles survivor of a commercial plane crash. The story alternates between Edward’s own story, as he adjusts to his new life with his aunt and uncle and the different characters on the plane in the time leading up to the crash. I loved both storylines but honestly felt that, until the middle of the book, the plane crash victims POVs were much more compelling. I wanted to know more about the people on the plane, which I think is an interesting reflection of how many people react in the wake of a tragedy. Edward’s story was a lot quieter and more introspective. The other characters around Edward felt more one-dimensional as the focus is really on how he deals with the tragedy as he gets older.

This book is perfect if you like slower, more character-driven books, or ones that provide meditations on the human experience.

After being the sole survivor of a plane crash, we follow the life of a young boy, as he comes to terms with the now. As someone whose ultimate fear is dying in a crash, parts of this book were hard to read. But I read them anyway. The feelings of loss and fear and anxiety were perpendicular with me as I dealt with Edward's tragedy. Even though this is a work of fiction, it has been a long time since I've experienced emotions like I did with Dear Edward. This is such an amazing book.

Please take this time to read this when it comes out 1.6.2020.

5/5 Stars

It’s been a long time since I read a book where the story and the characters took hold of my heart and wouldn’t let go. Anyone who has followed my reviews for any amount of time knows that I don’t typically like child narrators. This is the exception. It’s a stunning piece of storytelling. I love a story that delves into psychological issues, and how one heals from unbearable tragedy is the ultimate psychological challenge.

Edward, his brother, and his parents board a plane to start a new life in California. They don’t make it, as the plane crashes midflight. 191 die while Edward is miraculously the only survivor.
Edward’s emotional struggles with the loss of his beloved family, the burden of survivor’s guilt, as well as his sudden notoriety as the “miracle boy”, is dealt with in such a compassionate and authentic way that I wondered more than once as I read if the author has experience with grief. She knows you never get over a loss, and there is no timeline or “closure”. But there is life after loss, although it’s a different life.

After Edward heals from his physical injuries he goes to live with his aunt and uncle, and does the hard work of learning how to live again. How do you move forward when you’ve lost everything, including yourself, the person you were before the loss? He befriends Shay, the 12 year old girl next door, and it is one of the most delightful friendships I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

All of the adults in Edward’s life, from his aunt and uncle, to the school personnel, and his therapist have a part to play in his recovery and all were incredibly knowledgeable and insightful, even when dealing with their own struggles. They were all terrific characters that felt realistic. But Edward still struggles until he makes a discovery that, along with Shay’s help, serves as the catalyst for his healing.

The story alternates between Edward’s chapters and chapters that highlights the other passengers on the flight, from the quirky to the serious. Learning their backstories put the losses into perspective but thankfully the author doesn’t manipulate the reader into an emotional response. They simply add interest and depth to the story.

This sounds unbearably sad but it is a beautiful, heartfelt story that is never maudlin or manipulative. The ending brought tears through my smiles. This is a book that is ultimately hopeful, a story that restores faith in the human spirit, and one that will stay with me a long time to come. Highly recommended!

“And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again” (Bee Gees)

Tragedy and death has confronted all of us. There has been loss in our lives be it a parent, grandparent, spouse, child, family, or friends. It touches everyone, but perhaps never as much as it touches a person who has been left alive after all others have perished. Why me? Why am I still here?

“I can still feel the breeze that rustles through the trees
And misty memories of days gone by
We could never see tomorrow, no one said a word about the sorrow” (Bee Gees)

Young Edward, his family and one hundred eighty three others, board a plane thinking to arrive at their destination hours later. No one thought of not getting to their destination, never seeing those they cared for again, of having their life end in tragedy and a fiery crash. However, Edward knows. He knows that he is the only survivor, the only one left of these many souls, the only one left to carry within him the nightmare of what he went through and how his life was irreversibly changed.

After recovering from his wounds, Edward goes to live with his aunt and uncle, a kindly couple who themselves are suffering the loss of a sister and the loss of the dream of having their own child. Edward meets and forms a strong attachment to the girl across the street, Shay, who offers him hard won comfort and seems to be exactly the person he needs. There are also other wonderful characters. The principal of Edward’s school, whose love for plants nurtures Edward as well, allowing Edward to grow while giving him solace and a sense of peace in the ferns he keeps. There is Dr Mike, who so understands how to draw Edward out, how to allay his guilt, how to make him know that he has the ability to heal and only needs to discover the way to find that road to inner peace.

And then there are the letters, written to Edward from the families of survivors, the people who know loss, the people who want him to go forward almost as if Edward is living their loved one’s lives for them.

Sadness and melancholy pervade this story and certainly we understand why. Though sadness often does lead to times of happiness, times when you begin to understand yourself, and times that make for a way ahead that is filled with promise. This is what Edward needs to know and strives to learn.

This wonderful story, loosely based on a real event, will have you realizing what many of us know, that the joy and love of family can sustain you through the worst that life can dole out. Edward, only thirteen at the time, will progress down a road filled with thorns and brambles to come to a road that, while not always filled with sunshine, will always offer days that are.

“Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again” (Bee Gees)

I most heartily recommend this story as Ms Napolitano has given us a detailed look at loss, survivor guilt, and grief. The depth of this story is truly amazing. We all have been there. We all know what it’s like to lose someone, we all know a portion of what Edward feels. We all are on his side wishing life’s very best for a young man who has experienced ultimate loss.

Thank you to Ann Napolitano, Random House and NetGalley for a copy of this beautiful story.

The sign of a truly great story is one that makes you feel and this was the case with Dear Edward. Even with tragedy front and center, I loved this book.

Edward is the sole survivor of a plane crash on his family’s flight from New York to California, where they were planning to live. The plane went down unexpectedly in Colorado and more than 180 people died. He is only 12 years old and returns to the east coast to life with his Aunt Lacey and Uncle John, who are suffering their own losses. Edward becomes close with his next door neighbor, Shay, who is the same age as him.

The story focuses on Edward’s life, post-accident, but does include several chapters going back to the flight, detailing not only his family’s thoughts and actions, but those of some of the other passengers on board.

I cannot imagine enduring such loss - ever, but especially as a 12 year old. Edward lost his father, mother, and 15 year old brother, Jordan. He feels isolated as he tries to make sense of the world without them. I felt so much sadness on his behalf. While it’s not something to move beyond, I did enjoy Edward’s journey of healing, as he attempted to establish a new normal, develop the various relationships in his life, and search for some semblance of hope again.

There is a lot to think about in Dear Edward, a journey of grief and growth as well as a wonderful reminder to be grateful for all we have.

I really enjoyed this book. It's very well written. 4.5 stars

When I started reading, I thought it was too similar to Before We Fall with the premise and the flashbacks. But more of this story focuses on Edward and how he deals with life after the plane crash. It's about the relationships around Edward but also about the people on the plane.

I especially liked the details around flying a plane. How often to you learn what's going on in for a flight attendant or in the cockpit? And the ending was just lovely.

It's a coming of age story but doesn't feel like a "YA" story to me. It's just a really well written book that happens to have a 12 year old main character.

Highly recommend.

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.*

This novel is solid all the way through. Since it starts with the plane crash premise, I was really curious to see how she'd pull it together, and I'm so glad she avoided gimmicks and let the strength of her character development tell the story. This is the book that Before the Fall wanted to be.

Dear Edward is a deeply moving story of a young boy that is the sole survivor of a catastrophic plane crash.

The story is told in alternating timelines, now and during the flight. At first, I did not like or enjoy the narrative of the time during the flight, but as the story progressed, I began to see its relevance.

This is not a happily ever after tale, per se. It has darkness, a sense of stalling, falling, failing. Edward's unhappiness, the people around him treating him like an unexploded bomb and nobody quite knowing how to move forward feels very real. It's not overly pretty or hopeful and yet, not completely bleak and hopeless.

The story, for me, could easily have ended with the Colorado\Texas transplant volunteer as it was so moving to read that point of view in it's poignant simplicity.

I found this to be a great read. I would be surprised and probably a little saddened if this weren't turned into a movie.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow this was an emotional gut wrenching book about grief and loss and trying to move through it and survive. Beautiful writing.

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano will make you cry. I’m just warning you because I didn’t expect it. The premise is that young Edward is the only survivor of a plane crash and the book is written in such a way where you meet the people that will ultimately die and you will like them and then… you know what happens.

I cannot imagine being the sole survivor of a horrible accident like Edward. He goes to live with his aunt and uncle but of course, he struggles because his beloved parents and brother are gone. I feel like crying just thinking about it.

One summer morning, twelve-year-old Edward Adler, his beloved older brother, his parents, and 183 other passengers board a flight in Newark headed for Los Angeles. Among them are a Wall Street wunderkind, a young woman coming to terms with an unexpected pregnancy, an injured veteran returning from Afghanistan, a business tycoon, and a free-spirited woman running away from her controlling husband. Halfway across the country, the plane crashes. Edward is the sole survivor.

Edward’s story captures the attention of the nation, but he struggles to find a place in a world without his family. He continues to feel that a part of himself has been left in the sky, forever tied to the plane and all of his fellow passengers. But then he makes an unexpected discovery—one that will lead him to the answers of some of life’s most profound questions: When you’ve lost everything, how do you find the strength to put one foot in front of the other? How do you learn to feel safe again? How do you find meaning in your life?

Kudos to the author for penning such a moving novel and for wringing out the emotions of those who read Dear Edward. I predict someone will option this for a movie, it would make a great film!

Out on January 6, get it here.