June 2, 2020
By Emma Ferschweiler
Editor
At 12-years-old, Edward Adler thought he would have a normal childhood, riding bikes, going to school and playing video games. However, he suffered an unexpected 37,500-foot drop that changed his life forever. Criers beware, “Dear Edward” by Ann Napolitano will tug at every reader’s heartstrings.
When Edward gets on Flight 2977, he is filled with both anticipation and fear about his cross-country move from New York to Los Angeles, but with his 15-year-old brother Jordan by his side, Edward feels comforted. Then suddenly, the pilot makes a minuscule mistake that results in a whirlwind of chaos.
The plane crash kills 191 people, and Edward is left as the sole survivor. Emerging from the tragedy without his parents and brother, Edward ends up moving to New Jersey to live with his aunt and uncle who rarely understand his thoughts and emotions.
Edward also feels misunderstood by members of his community. Some regard him as a religious prophet, and most refer to him by the nickname “miracle boy” because he defied the odds by surviving the crash. There is also a small group of people who feel malice toward Edward because they do not believe he deserves the fame he receives.
In addition to facing interpersonal challenges, Edward is plagued by terrors. At random moments, Edward envisions himself back on Flight 2977 and thinks about his last few moments with his family. He wrestles with survivor’s guilt, wondering why he is still alive when everyone else on board perished. He also asks himself what he can do to keep the memory of his fellow passengers alive. These difficult questions require Edward to respond with optimism and determination.
With every other chapter presented as a flashback, readers become even more emotionally invested in Edward’s story as well as those of the other passengers.
Edward is assisted in his post-tragedy recovery by his newfound friend Shay. She sticks with him through thick and thin as they experience the struggles of adolescence. Their bond gives Edward the strength to begin healing.
As readers follow Edward in his efforts to achieve peace and normalcy, they also learn more about the horrific day that forever changed him. With every other chapter presented as a flashback, readers become even more emotionally invested in Edward’s story as well as those of the other passengers.
Ultimately, Edward must decide whether to let his survivor’s guilt overtake him or choose to embrace the gift of life and carry on the legacy of the deceased.
As improbable as the plot of “Dear Edward” may seem, Napolitano actually based her novel on the events of an actual plane crash that occurred on May 12, 2010. In this horrific accident, 104 passengers aboard Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771 perished, but nine-year-old Ruben van Assouw survived without any life-threatening injuries.
In an interview with the Library Journal, Napolitano explains that she was deeply affected by Assouw’s experiences and wanted to tell the story of a boy who perseveres after a tragic loss.
After reading “Dear Edward,” readers will experience a newfound motivation to take on the world and live life to its fullest. The novel also reminds readers to maintain a positive outlook even in the darkest of times.
These takeaways are especially useful right now as people around the world confront the coronavirus pandemic. Just as Edward learns, it is when people are facing the greatest hardships that it is most important to come together as a community, feel gratitude and embrace life’s blessings.
