Edward is a twelve year old boy who's live has been forever altered by the events of the flight that killed 191 individuals, including his family, leaving him the sole survivor of the crash. He goes on to live with his aunt and uncle outside of NYC where they're trying to handle their own grief not only from the crash but their inability to start their own family. The story alternates between the time on the plane prior to the crash and the next six years in Edward's life as he comes to terms with his new "normal".

I was expecting something of a heavier read based on the synopsis of this book but I didn't find it that heavy. Yes it deals with death and recovery along with a horrific plane crash but even with that it was a very hopeful book. I think having the story told primarily through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy helped with this. The snippets you get of the people on the plane provided an additional layer to the book helping with the journey Edward will go on in his recovery. This is a very quick read and one that can be easily read in the winter when you're stuck inside the house for a day or two. I look forward to seeing what Ann Napolitano has coming up in the future.

Thank you Random House for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Imagine being a sole survivor in a plane crash and you are only twelve years old?
Survivor guilt that is heartbreaking for this young boy. How can he move forward when all of his family has perished?
This is a beautiful novel of his years to learn to take "baby" steps forward each day. Painful and uncomfortable for me to read at times, but excellent.
We also learn exactly how and why this plane crash occurred and the 191 people on board who did not survive felt as they were sitting in those seats on their own last journey.
An amazingly detailed story that really is a book of hope, love, grief and resilience!

I didn't know much about this book before I requested it from Netgalley. And I'm so glad that I did. And I'm so glad that I read it. It is such a terrific story of loss and rebuilding. The characters are well written and even though the story flops back and forth, I had no trouble following. I highly recommend this book; it might have earned the top place in everything I've read so far this year!

Went into this expecting an emotional gut-punch...left somewhat underwhelmed. I’m not even entirely sure what was missing for me, but I just didn’t connect to the story the way I was expecting.

If you’ve read any blurb or review about Dear Edward so far, you probably are aware of the premise. A boy survives a plane crash that kills everyone else on board, then deals with the effects after the fact. It’s very sad, and I was expecting a lot of grief, but I didn’t really feel much of that overall. I think where Ann Napolitano succeeded was in the writing of a 12-year-old survivor’s trauma. Edward is a well constructed main character who is convincingly suffering from PTSD and depression, among other things. He feels disconnected from a good portion of the events of the book, which is a realistic depiction of someone going through this type of tragedy.

That said, I really think she dropped the ball on the flashbacks. It felt like Napolitano was trying to replicate those types of scenes from Lost where they’d flash into random characters’ lives, but it just did not translate here. I don’t know how to fix it, exactly. Maybe if they were condensed and combined near the end? Or if we had gotten more information about the other passengers in the ‘present day’ story? But as it was just jumps to a half a dozen strangers, who were all stereotypes or caricatures, that had no relevance to Edward and his family/friends....besides that they should be remembered? I guess? I think without those parts, the narrative would have been stronger.

I guess I didn’t know how disappointed I was until now. I appreciate that it wasn’t just tragedy porn, which something like this could easily fall into, but I don’t think the plot or characters carried the weight like those from Celeste Ng or Ann Patchett, which this has been compared to. There wasn’t much of a...story? It was just a tragic circumstance and not much beyond that. Napolitano is a talented writer, though, so I’m not put off from reading more by her going forward.

I knew I was going to love this book from the moment I started reading it, despite the fact that I was already a nervous flyer, and learned more about piloting a plane and the potential for air disaster (even with experienced commercial pilots) than I'd ever want to know...

Dear Edward tells the story of twelve-year old Eddie Adler who is the sole survivor of a plane crash that kills 191 people including his parents and older brother.

Alternating chapters tell the story of some of the passengers on the plane and Eddie's interaction with them before the crash, and then Eddie's harsh reality and recovery after the crash. Napolitano does a great job of taking us through Eddie's stages of grief and the complicated relationships with his aunt and uncle, and his next door neighbor Shay.

I think it was intended for an adult audience, but I think that it would be appropriate for young adults too. Although, word of caution, there is one mile-high encounter, but it is brief and not described in graphic detail.

This story was beautifully written and a quick read. It had me hooked from the first page. I was anxious to find out what happened, but also didn't want the story to end. It was my first time reading Ann Napolitano, and will definitely look for some of her earlier works to read.

Edward is the 12-year old sole survivor of a plane crash that kills his parents and his brother. The book alternates between Edward’s life in the aftermath of the crash and vignettes about his family and some of the passengers on the ill-fated flight. It is a coming-of-age story and a story of dealing with grief. The characters are well-developed and the writing is usually good. However, I found it terribly maddening and depressing to read about the people who I knew were going to die in the plane crash. I was much more interested in Edward’s story and how he reacted to and eventually came to accept his new life and new reality of living with his aunt and uncle. Many of the airplane victims were kind of caricatures forced into rather one-dimensional roles. I think it would have been more of a successful book if it just concentrated on Edward's story..

Dear Edward is a novel which made my heart ache. A lot. On June 12, 2013, twelve-year old Eddie Albert boards flight 2977 from Newark to Los Angeles. The family is moving west for a new job for his father, Bruce, and a new life for all of them. The plane crashes in a small town in Colorado. Of 187 passengers, and the crew, Eddie is the sole survivor.

The reader follows Edward as he both mourns the unthinkable losses of his 15 year old brother Jordan and his parents, and tries to make sense of being the only one to live. It is a heavy burden for young shoulders. No longer a child, and yet not mature enough to be considered an adult, Edward doesn't know where he fits in anymore, or even if he wants to.

When well enough to leave the hospital, Edward is given into the care of his aunt Lacey and uncle John Curtis who live in New Jersey. Edward is lost in himself, rarely talks, or eats, doesn't react to much. The only comfort he finds is sleeping on the bedroom floor of Shay, the girl who lives next door to his aunt and uncle. She is close to Edward's age, only two months older, and he feels a connection with her. She gives him his space, yet talks to him and tells it like it is, much in contrast to the wall of silence he receives from people who don't know what to say.

The novel follows the passengers and crew as calamity approaches, letting us know them in various vignettes. It also follows Edward as he grows and, with Shay at his side, lets himself find out more about what happened the day of the crash, more about his fellow passengers, and through literally thousands of letters sent to him after the crash and kept by his uncle for him, more about those who survived them.

The letters, media coverage, and internet sites devoted to the crash and to the "miracle boy" who survived, stun Edward. Everyone seems to have a message for him, a thought on what he must do, on how he should live his life to fulfill the hopes and dreams of the people who died beside him. It is a troubling time. What does he owe them? What should he do? How can he satisfy them all? Should he even try? How does he get past the point in time that changed so many lives forever?

Author Ann Napolitano writes the novel which was based on a true story with much empathy and finesse. Her characters are complete and rich in every way and they will stay with me for a long time.

Dear Edward is a book about an occurrence that changed time forever into "Before" and "After" for many families. It is also about finding your way back to living, to wanting to take part in life again with all the joy, sorrow and emotions that brings, to opening yourself to what was, what is, and what will be. Edward finds the human spirit is mighty strong, loving, undeniable.

I highly recommend this read to all.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and The Dial Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Edward is the lone survivor of a horrific plane crash. He struggles with the loss of his family and survivor's guilt.

This is a moving story of loss and restoration. I loved it.

I am not and have never been a 12-year-old boy surviving the tragic deaths of his entire family in an airplane crash killing 191 people. As the sole survivor, Edward is believed miraculous, special, broken, and gifted, depending on who is viewing him and knowing his story. While I have never been this person, I had the great, good opportunity to inhabit his thoughts, his heart, and his making his way in a world that does not make sense and doesn't feel like it ever will. Through his aunt and uncle, a school principal, a friend, and her mother, Edward slowly comes back to life, to his own life, growing into his own story. I loved this book, was captivated by the dual storylines of before and after. The characters are complex and fascinating - so vividly drawn that I feel as I know them. A wonderful accomplishment by a talented writer. I appreciate deeply the opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel from the author, the publisher, and NetGalley.

Imagine being on a plane with your entire family and knowing a crash is imminent. Now imagine you are the sole survivor of that plane crash, while 191 other passengers died. How do you go on carrying that weight, the plaguing thought of why you survived when so many others didn’t? How do you learn to live without your family?

This is exactly was has happened to Edward (Eddie is a name he can’t bear to be called after the crash). Edward has lost everything- his mother, his father and his older brother. They were flying from New York to California to relocate and start fresh, when their plane fell out of the sky.

Edward is now living with his aunt and uncle in New Jersey. He is struggling to make sense of this unexpected turn of events and the only comfort he finds is in his friendship with the neighbor girl, Shay. Sometimes tragedies bring people into our lives that will change our lives forever.

Needless to say, this book is heavy and depressing. However, the way Edward handles the aftermath of this crash shows how resilient we are and how unique grief can be. This book is sad, but also heartwarming and fills you with hope.

I loved how the story is told in present day with Edward and then moves back in time to the day of the flight. We meet many characters and hear their stories of why they were on this flight- many of them truly special people. This book moved me to tears, and is one I will remember.

Thank you Netgalley and Dial Press for this advance reading copy. This book will be published January 6, 2020.

Wow, this was a good book! Once I picked it up I had a hard time putting it down. Ann Napolitano did a wonderful job of crafting this devastating yet heartwarming story of a boy who must learn the impossible task of going on with his life after being the lone survivor of a plane crash that kills 191 people including his family. As a reader, I was expecting to be left feeling depressed but ultimately the author wrote this story so beautifully that I was uplifted many times throughout. My favorite kinds of books are ones that center around family drama and are told from multiple points of view of strong characters. Dear Edward more than delivered on that for me. The publishers blurb recommended this book for fans of Celeste Ng and Ann Patchett and I would agree with that. I also got Fredrik Backman vibes too, as this book gave me a lot of the same feelings that Beartown did. I felt so invested in Edward and for so many of the supporting characters and I love the sense of community that came from the people who come into his life following the crash. Put Dear Edward on your TBR list!

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

12 year old Eddie is on a flight with his family as they move across the country. The plane crashes in a field in Colorado, killing 191 people and leaving Eddie as the sole survivor.⁣
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Eddie is now Edward, living with his aunt and uncle, attempting to heal physically from his wounds, and attempting to come to grips with this new life and the grief over losing his family. The grief and survivors guilt that threatens to drown him.⁣
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𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 is powerful, moving, and absolutely unputdownable. The story is told in dual timelines- Edward after the crash and the events leading up to the fateful event. The passengers are given names, stories, and survivors in a remarkable way. The writing is lovely and poignant. This book is utterly human and raw, and absolutely remarkable. The power of grief. The power of love. The power of hope.⁣
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All of the stars for this beautiful novel, one sure to become a top book of 2020. Add this to your TBRs and look for it early in the New Year.⁣
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Thank you @randomhouse for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.⁣
⁣

Our hero, Edward, is absolutely unforgettable as he tries to make sense of the world after the plane he is in crashes, killing all the souls on board -except for his own. The character development in this novel is superb. Loved, loved, loved it!

Loved this book. A phenomenally beautiful story about family, friendship, and trauma. Edward is an endearing- and frustrating- character. The readers gets such a unique insight while being in his mind! I love his friendship with the girl who lives across the street. The story is told in flashbacks and the present..

Dear Edward was a touching, coming-of-age story. Your heart will melt around the struggles Edward faces after being the sole survivor of plane crash that kills his family and 188 others. Taken in by his aunt and uncle Edward has to navigate an entire new life for himself. Beautifully written, heart breaking yet hopeful. A great read.

This is such a sweet book. It reminds me of The Goldfinch in regards to young boy surviving a tragedy that takes his family ... but I find this book a lot more interesting. It's not nearly as long and drawn out as The Goldfinch, and while it follows the boy and the effects of the tragedy, it also follows the plane crash and what/how it happened. This is a really unique book in that I've never seen a book told this way, and I've never seen such a young protagonist that connects with an adult reader in this way. I absolutely loved Edward and was engulfed by his story.

Oh, my goodness, what a book! This is going right on up there with Lincoln in the Bardo, Dear Evan Hansen, and Us as my favorite realistic books about relationships, grief, and the horrors and beauties of life. The writing is so beautiful and touching, and the characters so vital and real, I haven't been able to stop thinking about the book since I finished it. Definitely a tear jerker, but in the best way. The story is so unbelievably tragic that I had to put it down in places. It ends on a positive, hopeful note with such beauty and realism. Its one of those books that makes you reassess your own life, how tragedy could strike at any minute, and how ill-prepared most of us are to cope.

Edward (Eddie) is a marvelous character, and very true to life. I love that the adults in the story are kind but also fallible, making mistakes and doing their best at the same time. Edward is still facing typical kid problems along with coping with his losses. Shey is another wonderful character, facing her own challenges.

The vignettes of the other passengers on the plane are funny and poignant and serve to illustrate the fragile nature of life. We all go about making our plans, dreaming of and planning for the future, trying to overcome the past, when at any minute everything could change.

The writing is perfect for the plot - not too flowery or overdone, but with some captivating phrasing. I also appreciate the epigraphs at the beginnings of each part and how fitting they were for the subsequent plot. This is really a lovely book with characters that go straight to your heart. Highly Recommended!

3.5 stars, rounded up
This novel tracks what happens to a young man who is the sole survivor when a plane crashes in Colorado. What caught me off guard is that we are given glimpses into the lives of the other passengers on board. I wasn’t initially crazy about this aspect and wasn’t sure where it was going. As the book goes on, it becomes apparent why you have learned about them, as their loved ones interact with Edward or the brief encounters they had with Edward shape him.

Napolitano does a great job expressing the survivor’s guilt and grief that Edward feels. But we also get to see how he slowly does move forward with his life. I also felt for Edward’s aunt and uncle, attempting to deal with this unexpected wrinkle in their life. But Shay ends up being Edward’s saving grace as she’s the only one that doesn’t walk on eggshells around him.

This was a well written book, but it also was uneven. I was much more interested in Edward’s sections than the other passengers. It drags a little in the middle. But the ending was totally uplifting and a good reminder to all of us.

My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.

Edward is the lone survivor of a plane crash that killed 191 people, including his parents and his brother. While the world is dying to know the miracle boy, Edward is just trying to get by. Trying to move on after the loss of his favorite people. Lucky for Edward, he meets his aunt and uncles next door neighbors daughter Shay who quickly becomes his best friend and helps him through life.

This book was heartbreaking but also beautiful. The book goes back and forth between Edward during current day and the passengers on the plane during the flight. I will say I was more interested in Edwards chapters, but I also just wanted to know what had happened to make the plane crash. I couldn’t put this one down once I started, I just needed to know that Edward would be ok.

A great story! Loved the story telling, the rhythm, the characters and the premise. Would definitely recommend this book about the lone survivor of a plane crash and how this 12 year old re-integrates into a world without his parents and brother. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.