Map of the Known World by Lisa Sandell

Poignant and heartbreakingly sweet.....

This story of a teenage girl whose brother died in a car crash is a touching memorial to the spirits of all those who have lost a loved one far too early, and who are searching for answers that might provide relief of that type of heartache and pain.

Cora's brother Nate was a rebel -- always in trouble at school, arguing against expectations and resentful of his parents and the limits that life placed on him. After he dies in The Accident, his family disintegrates -- dad heads to the study with his gin and tonic and mom to the sewing room -- both shutting themselves away from facing further pain and unable to love and continue to raise their daughter Cora. Both are so paralyzed with grief that they do not notice as Cora begins to develop a life for herself - resentful of the rules and bonds they have insisted upon in an attempt to keep her safe -- all the while ignoring her emotional needs as they are locked in their memories and sunk deep into the quicksand of emotional pain.

Cora discovers her talents as an artist and finds that her wild and crazy brother hid a secret from them all -- he too was artistically gifted and had hidden that from everyone except for his best friend Damian.

Cora and Damian begin a fragile relationship -- a bit odd considering that she's a freshman and he's a senior in high school (the only piece that seems out of place - the author should have made Cora older to make some of the plot more believable) -- but they do have Nate and art in common and both are emotionally fragile and in need of support and motivation.

All in all a very sweet story about the redemptive power of love. A reminder that life goes on despite horrific tragedy. An achingly beautiful and hopeful story that gives credence to the hope we all have to find the meaning of life -- our purpose in it, and our way through it.