Mia is gearing up for the best senior year ever. She's got cheerleader BFFs, the captain of the soccer team on her arm and her pick of Ivy League schools. When her overall tiredness and tendency to bruise lead to a diagnosis of leukemia, she's stopped in her tracks. Send Me a Sign follows Mia's treatment, recovery and constant pursuit of a definite answer to the question, “What should I do?” When everything around you is a potential message from the universe, it's easy to get confused.
Author Tiffany Schmidt is smart to tell the story from Mia's point of view. When her mother advises her to hide the cancer from her friends, we know Mia doesn't want to hurt them but is afraid of hurting her mother even more. Her best friend Gyver and boyfriend Ryan are supportive at different times in her treatment, leading to a complex triangle of emotions and affection. She spends so much time monitoring the states of everyone around her that her own health is further compromised, leading to another hospitalization. “I slept eighteen hours and woke up feeling betterish and also worse.” When she drops her guard and finally admits to being scared, the healing can begin.
To finally enjoy life again, Mia comes to believe she's not going to make it, then realizes she has a chance and relaxes her superstitions somewhat. By that time, we care enough to root for her health and happiness—and pray her mother will take a yoga class and chill out. Send Me a Sign is a story of serious illness, but it’s also a love story and a fresh look at the nature of belief. Check it out.
