Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Setting
Even if the book didn't explicitly say that Mia was airlifted to a hospital in Portland, which it does, with all the references to hipsters, vegans, and vintage clothing stores, you'd know it was P...
What's Up With the Title?
Mia's main choice in the book is whether or not to die or to stay alive. What will life be like if she stays? She'll have to live without her parents and her beloved younger brother, which is sad,...
What's Up With the Ending?
The book is called If I Stay, and everyone wants Mia to stay, including Adam, who explicitly says "Stay" (17.8) at Mia's bedside. Perhaps his band should cover the classic Lisa Loeb hit?Lisa Loeb w...
Tough-o-Meter
Unless you're listening to classic Avril Lavigne—yes, we just put "classic" and "Avril Lavigne" in the same sentence—song lyrics usually aren't complicated. Mia loves music, and she includes ma...