If I Stay
by Gayle Forman
Mia:
The Plot:
The book takes place in a small town in Oregon on a snowy day. This advances the plot of the story because the snow is why Mia wasn't in school and was able to be in the car with her family, it was also why the other car swerved and hit them. For example, the text says, "Everyone thinks it was because of the snow. And in a way, I suppose that's true," (Forman 3) The setting is what puts Mia in the situation that she's in.
The theme of the story is love. This advances the plot because Mia loves her parents and brother, who died in the car accident, but she also loves her boyfriend, her best friend, and her grandparents, who are all still alive. It is who she loves more that will influence her decision. The text says, "How am I supposed to decide this? How could I possibly stay without Mom and Dad? How could I leave without Teddy? Or Adam?" (Forman 88) In the end, love makes Mia's decision for her. After all, "Love can make you immortal," (Forman 243)