The Question of Miracles
Elana K. Arnold, Author
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Fiction, 2015
Suitable for Ages: 9-12
Themes: Miracles, Grief, Moving, Friendship, Oregon
Book Jacket Synopsis: Iris Abernathy hates life in Corvallis, Oregon, where her family has just moved. It’s always raining, and everything is so wet. Besides, nothing has felt right since Iris’s best friend, Sarah, died. There’s nothing Iris wants more than to see Sarah again.
When Iris meets Boris, a mouth breather with a know-it-all personality, she’s not looking to make a new friend, but it beats eating lunch alone. Then Iris learns that Boris’s very existence is a medical mystery — maybe even a miracle — and she starts to wonder why some people get miracles and other don’t. And if one miracle is possible, can another one be too? Can Iris possibly communicate with Sarah again?
Why I like The Question of Miracles:
- Arnold has written a compelling and emotionally deep story about how 11-year-old Iris deals with the tragic death of her best friend. Although Sarah’s death is the sad story, the book is also about friendships and embracing life. It is charming, funny and thought-provoking.
- The subject of loss and grief is realistically tackled with honesty and sensitivity. Sometimes Iris feels Sarah’s essence around her. She hears noises in a downstairs closet and wants to believe it’s Sarah. Iris wants to know if her friend is out there somewhere. Is she okay? Is she scared? Is she alone? Did it hurt to die? Iris asks many universal questions in her search for answers. She wonders why bad things happen to good people. Why do miracles happen for some people like Boris, and not for others?
- The story is character-driven and the characters are memorable. Iris is searching to understand her friend’s death so that she can find joy in life again. Boris is intelligent, a bit socially inept and a die-hard Magic player. Boris eagerly helps Iris search for answers –even if it is means visiting a psychic and talking with priests. Iris’s mother is a genetic researcher who is busy with her work. Her father is a stay-at-home dad, who calls her “Pigeon,” bakes bread, plants a huge garden and raises baby chicks in an incubator. He adds stability and quirky humor to the story.
- This is a very unique offering on grieving for teens. It is a refreshingly quiet book that doesn’t provide answers, but gives readers time to ponder big questions and their beliefs. This would make an excellent classroom discussion book.
Elana K. Arnold: The Question of Miracles is her debut for younger readers. She is working on another middle grade novel, A Long Way from Home. She is the author of young adult novels, Sacred, Burning, Splendor and Infandous. Visit Elana Arnold at her website.
Check other Middle Grade review links on author Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.
Children's Books Heal 
Pat, This sounds like a very special book. I guess everyone can hope for miracles.
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It is such a unique and touching book. Iris’ character was interesting, but Boris’ character really jumped off the pages. Excellent read.
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Thanks for the recommendation.
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You are welcome! 🙂
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Very rich and detailed review of this special sounding story. Thanks for sharing as I’ve put in high on my list of books to read before summer. I love a book that makes for a good discussion starter.
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Thank you! I really enjoyed this story. It does make for a great discussion book for teens about life, death and miracles. Boris was such a great character. Hope you read the book.
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Most people, but especially kids and teens, are searching for answers to many incomprehensible things in life, like death, and this sounds like a terrific book that examines these mysteries *with* a reader.
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Thank you for your comment “with a reader.” The book really challenges the reader to think about what they believe.
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A thought provoking book. Tweens have a tough time with the death of a friend. The idea of miracles appeals to me. It sounds like the characters are varied and interesting in this book.
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I love thought provoking books too! Iris and Boris are very different characters and that makes the story even more interesting. You’re right, teens have a difficult time with the death of a friend or sibling. This book shows that.
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I’ve often wondered the same thing. – Why do some people get miracles and others don’t? A question for the ages….
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It is a question for the ages. And, then sometimes there are miracles right before us and we fail to see them. I love to ponder subjects like this.
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Although I think the unhappy-in-new-town trope gets overused, this book wsounds like it would provide a great jumping off point for some good discussions.
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It is a great jumping off point for meaningful discussions about life and death.
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I tend to never get around to the sad books, but this sounds like one I’ll make happen. Savvy was like that, too. Thanks for slipping it on to my TBR pile!
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This isn’t a sad story. The friend’s death has already happened and Iris is on a quest to make sense of everything in her life. I need to read Savvy. I have a copy.
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Wow. This book sounds fantastic!
Sigh. Will I ever get to the bottom of my To Read Pile?
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It is a thought-provoking book. Thanks for stopping.
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I actually have a copy of this in my TBR pile which, unfortunately, is packed right now. You make me want to find that box and get to it. Thanks for the review.
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I’ll be interested in what you think. I enjoy your thorough reviews.
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This sounds really interesting, Pat!
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Thanks Catherine — it is a good read.
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Thanks for sharing this I’ve just added it to my must read list.
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I am pleased you enjoyed the book!
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This sounds like an interesting story – a very unusual premise. Sounds like one that will make you think!
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It is an interesting story. It’s hard for a teen to lose a friend or sibling. It prompts so many questions that are good questions to think and talk about. And there is some humor in the book. I love Boris.
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