Mortality's not just a theme of If Only; it's the theme. Sophie is already dead when the book opens, but we get to know her through the memories of her thirteen-year-old daughter, Corinna. As if eighth grade wasn't already bad enough, what with the friend cliques and boys, Corinna has to navigate it all while desperately missing her mom. Sophie was diagnosed with cancer in April and gone by August, and now her grieving husband and only child have to figure out how to live without her. And it ain't easy.
Questions About Mortality
- Why does Corinna feel uncomfortable talking to her friends about Sophie's death? Why do her friends (particularly Joci) feel uncomfortable talking to her?
- Why doesn't Corinna feel she can ask Max about the details of his dad's suicide?
- If you dislike the family member who died—like Robert does with his stepdad—do you still grieve? Was Robert was right to leave Ms. DuBoise's group, or should he have stayed?
- Corinna doesn't say whether or not she and her dad brought her mom's ashes back from Japan. Do you think they sprinkled them somewhere? Do you think Sophie would have wanted them to?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
The most important part of Corinna's grieving process is realizing that other kids have lost parents, too.
When Corinna learns the Japanese tradition of summoning ancestors, she feels more connected to Sophie and less alone.