Read + Review — I Was Here by Gayle Forman

I Was Here enters the world of Cody Reynolds, an eighteen year old living in eastern Washington. Her best friend, Meg, recently committed suicide, and as Cody packs up Meg’s belongings, Cody doesn’t know what’s in store for her. Cody begins a journey of self discovery, trying to discover the reason why Meg took her own life, but got more than she bargained for. Cody’s understanding of life, love, death, and forgiveness changes completely as she discovers the shocking reason why Meg died.

I was moved by I Was Here. It had a strong plot with very descriptive words to describe the emotions running through Cody as she grieves for Meg and falling for a mysterious boy connected to Meg’s death. It had everything, grief, romance, mystery, suspense, depression, and a journey that changes everything for Cody. The journey that Cody takes throws the friendship Meg and Cody had, and everything else that Meg never could tell Cody.

A memorable thing about I Was Here was the flashbacks that Cody kept having about Meg. She remembered everything about Meg, Meg’s free spirited personality, Meg’s actions, and how Meg always could accept Cody, the way that almost no one could. Yet, there were so many things that Meg chose, the path she took, the life she lived, that Cody once could not understand, finally comes to Cody’s understanding.

Reviewed by Reenie, Grade 6, Twin Hickory Library