Breathing by Cheryl Renee Herbsman

June 1, 2009

Savannah would be happy to spend the summer in her coastal Carolina town lying in a hammock reading her beloved romance novels and working at the library. But then she meets Jackson. Once they lock eyes, she's convinced he's the one - her true love, her soul mate, a boy different from all the rest. And at first it looks like Savannah is right, Jackson abides her mama's strict rules, and he stays by her side during a hospitalization for severe asthma, which Savannah becomes convinced is only improving because Jackson is there. But when he's called away to help his family - and seems uncertain about returning - Savannah has to learn to breathe on her own, both literally and figuratively.

This is a wonderful, refreshing debut novel about first love and growing up. Savannah (named after the first thing her mama heard on the radio after she was born which was a tornado in Savannah, Georgia) is a sweet likable leading lady whose first person narration is dosed heavily with southern Carolina twang. I found myself chuckling out loud at some her southern says: "My face must be as red as a hornet's hairy behind." Her brother Dog typifies the annoying little brother in so many ways and whose standard reply to Savannah's pleas to clean his room or do his chores is "Calm yourself woman!" Head of household Mama is a strong woman who holds a couple of jobs at a time and is consistently losing them after missing shifts due to Savannah's frequent hospital visits.

Each of the characters and relationships are well written with details and history that play out effortlessly. I was enchanted until the very end and found myself smiling and happy for Savannah as if she someone I really knew! I recommend this book for middle school and beyond for anyone who loves an old fashioned romance story.

Score 4.5 points