Change of Heart by Shari Maurer

“Deep breath. How did I look omiGod! I was unbelievably sweaty, and my hair…”-Emmi Miller

Page 10

This quote is when Emmi looks up to see her dream boyfriend Sam. This refelects how guys and girls alike are so concerned with their looks in and out of school. Instead of being so worrisome about her vanity she should me more concerned about her health.

“We’re going to keep you out of school for the time being said Dr.Leavens” -Dr Leavens Page 67

Emmi has just been diagnosed with viral mydiocardis a rare heart disorder.. Upon reading this no school seems like the best thing that could ever happen to a kid our age.  However I began to question myself, school or heart failure.

“Finally Dr.Leavens breaks the silence “Emmi you’re gonna need a new heart”- Narrator and Dr.Leavens

Page 68

Emmis’ condition has worsened to where she will need a new heart. It’s tough for a girl at 16 to have to wait for someone to die and then take their heart.  This makes me wish that they’re alternate ways of getting organs so people won’t have to be put through such tough times.

“Since I basically sit home all day doing nothing but waiting for some other kid to die I thought I’d write letters in case something happens to me and I don’t make it.”- Emmi Miller

Page  126

What strikes me about this is at such a young age Emmi is doing this. Although Emmi was a wreck for most of the book (rightfully so)  its parts like these that show how strong she actually was. At 16 it’s hard to believe how mature she was through parts like this.

“It’s not good news from Albany: the heart was enlarged we had to turn it down we don’t want anything less than perfect.- Dr.Harrison Page

At this point Emmi just rushed to hospital with hopes that she would recieve her new heart which did not work out.  It is terrible how she had her hopes up to know she’ll be able to live a normal life which was just a tease.  I could only imagine how she must’ve felt when they told he the news on the operating table

“She was one of those super-prissy cheerleader types with her tiny nose and tiny legs and super straight hair that she liked to toss around for emphasis”.- Emmi Miller

Page 130

Emmi is attending her boyfriend Sams’ baseball game when this girl approaches her. They’re always girls like this, and I know this is how other schools think of all girls in North are which wouldn’t be admirable if I were a girl.  When I asked my cousin what she thinks of CHSN she gave that exact description.

“There is no way you’re going”-April Miller Page 138

Emmi just brought up the idea of going to junior ball to her parents.  It’s parts like this that make me think this girl is crazy I get that junior ball is a part that you shouldn’t miss but with Emmi on priority list 1B which is one down from 1A which is the top of the list, she should’ve known that. Her mother is right on this matter.

“Everything was getting foggy and I found myself panting, then I heard someone say call an ambulance, and someone else said I was ruining the prom- which hurt the most”- Emmi Miller

Page 156

Moms are always right as much as I hate to admit it. What surprises me is that the doctor even allowed her to go to the junior ball.  I get that Emmi wants to lead a normal life,however she needs to know she has a serious medical condition in which she can’t overexert herself as she did by dancing at the ball.

“ The beeper!” I exclaimed, running over to the counter where the hospital beeper sat.”- Emmi Miller

Page 181

Emmis’ hospital beeper just went off indicating that a new heart was availible. When the beeper went off the first time they were in such a rush, I get that it was a tease the first time however it is no reason to be any slower for a new chance at life which they were.  If I were in her shoes, any time that beeper goes off I would be going 90 down the parkway to get to that hospital.

“Abe, It’s me Emmi. I’m here, and I love you”.- Emmi MIller

Page 274

Emmi met a guy her age in the waiting room of the hospital she goes to. His name is Abe, and he is now on his death bed. This is where I disagree with how this part of the book was written. The author made such a big deal about Sam, however she always said Abe was just a friend and nothing more. Now Emmi had a secret love for Abe and the parts with Sam are irrelevant.