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A dying teen learns to live in this heart-wrenching debut, perfect for fans of If I Stay
Campbell Cooper has never been in love. And if the doctors are right, she'll never have the chance. So when she's told she needs a miracle, her family moves 1,500 miles north to Promise, Maine—a place where amazing, unexplainable events are said to occur—like it or not. And when a mysterious envelope arrives, containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies, she finally learns to believe—in love, in herself, and maybe even in miracles, as improbable as they may seem.
Dandelions, flamingoes, and a town named Promise? Everything about The Probability Of Miracles sounds too good to be true. Improbably so. And yet. somehow Wendy Wunder pulls you into this story with main character whose doubts outnumber her dreams and leaves you wanting to believe that wishes can come true.
THE GOOD BITS
{Cam's humor with the perfect dash of sarcasm.} Without a doubt, this story would be way different if there had been any less snark - or if there had been too much. Maybe more melancholy, maybe more tragic, but definitely a lot less enjoyable. Cam and I share the same sort of humor - the same reflex to crack a joke, even during the worst of times - the same need to guard ourselves from heartbreak and disappointment, even when happiness seems possible. Which made it a lot easier for me to sink into The Probability Of Miracles and follow Cam as her shields start to melt.
{The bucket list.} What an ambitious to-do list! Delectably realistic that ranges from the simple to silly to emotionally-fragile. Life is all about risks, and living is all about taking them - or choosing not to. Cam makes a list of experiences that she considers "normal" for a teenager which involves breaking both hearts and rules. I loved how you never quite knew how certain items would play out.
{Little sister Perry.} I loved this little cupcake of a girl! Not too young to fade into the background, not too old to make the drama into a catfight. She provided some comic relief when Cam turned into a regular Grumpy. I also have to admire Perry's cheerful-but-tough exterior. She reminds me a little of Scrappy Doo: tiny, adorable, and wise beyond her years.
THE BAD BITS
{Almost too perfect?} I honestly cannot complain too much about The Probability Of Miracles being too perfect - because I wouldn't want it any other way. Wendy Wunder dished out the right balance between good and bad news, and while sometimes the good news felt too good to be true, I think it reflects how life can sometimes hand you lemonade when hope seems like a big joke.
THE OVERALL
If I learned anything from The Probability Of Miracles, it is that hope can be persistent, especially when you have loved ones. Quirky, unexpected, sarcastic, bittersweet, and altogether full of life, this story will steal your breath away - from laughing, from crying, and from sheer wonder when Promise, Maine, lives up to its name.
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Jul 20 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Its beautiful like a summer sunset
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.First of all, I really enjoy that the author's name is Wendy Wunder. I can't help but think of how well it coincides with what her book is about, miracles and believing in them.
The main character, Cam, has been dealing with cancer for seven long years. When the story starts, she has just received news that her cancer is still spreading.
Her mother and younger sister refuse to give up on her, even though Cam has pretty much given up, and they move her to Promise, Maine which has been deemed a miraculous place because of all the events that occur there.
Oh goodness, I'm starting to cry while I'm typing this...
Cam is already starting to think about how her family will have to move on without her and how life will have go on. I understood her dry humor, because it was her way of dealing with her impending death. I can't imagine have to deal with the horrors of cancer as a young person.
As someone who stood on the sidelines and never gave up hope even though cancer took my grandmother 8 years ago, I can't help but feel for Cam's mother and sister. They never stopped believing or giving up hope. I know just how hard it is to accept that a beloved family member is going to die and have to watch them slowly deteriorate.
I also completely empathized with Cam's younger sister for having to take the backseat and make a lot of sacrifices for the health of her older sister. I dearly understood her anger with Cam when she wouldn't believe that miracles could happen.
I loved watching Cam grow emotionally throughout this book. I will say the only drawback was that the romance between her and Asher started out slow, but then suddenly felt rushed. I had a hard time accepting that in the story.
This is a tough story, but well worth the read.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Dec 27 00:00:00 EST 2011
A really truely awesome book . Not your average cheesey teen book. You'll laugh , you'll cry .... you'll be inspired. Love , love , love! Read it!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Dec 09 00:00:00 EST 2011
A fantastic novel. Heartfelt without being sappy, hilarious without being silly. And the writing is so good...it's obvious the author clearly cares not just about her characters, but about every word.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Dec 29 00:00:00 EST 2011
Reasons to read The Probability of Miracles. . .
Having fought a serious illness for most of her childhood, the protagonist, Cam, finds that she was so busy fighting for her life that she has forgotten how to live. The Probability of Miracles is the story of Cam¿s realization that there is more to living than dying. Cam has one more shot at youth: a summer in a beautiful, magical town called Promise surrounded by people who love her and new friends she never expected to make.
The Probability of Miracles has a lot going for it. . . some of which follows:
The Probability of Miracles¿ Cam is a powerful protagonist: She is smart, funny and oh-so-real. She¿s the kind of girl who names her car and adopts a lobster. Cam will quickly become someone you really like, and you can easily get behind the decisions that she makes. When you close the book you will wish you had her cell phone number so you can keep in touch.
It¿s a story with a bit of magic. (key phrase- a bit): In the tradition of magical realism, Wunder¿s use of magic is subtle. The action doesn¿t stop whenever a bit of magic appears; it is accepted as part of life in Promise and the characters work with it. Wunder also thankfully keeps mythical creatures to a minimum: no vampires and no wizards, just one messed-up donkey.
It¿s a redemption story: For years Cam and her family¿s focus has been on Cam and her illness. Unintentionally and understandably, Cam became centered on. . . herself. As Cam starts to enjoy and live her life in Promise, she realizes her wrongs: impatient with her sister¿s belief in unicorns, unsupportive of her friend¿s relationship, dismissive of the man who loves her mom. Cam sets out to right these wrongs: she stops thinking of herself and instead finds ways (really funny and clever ways) to show her loved ones that she cares about them. It¿s a book that leaves you feeling good. Sounds simple, but isn¿t that the goal of a good read?
Most importantly, The Probability of Miracles will make you laugh! Wunder is so funny: Cam¿s witty observations, the characters¿ dialogue, and the action of the story come together to make this really well-written book a place to get happy.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Mar 06 00:00:00 EST 2013
Hi everybody! I am twelve now and I read this book when i was eleven. I love this book and there are so many reasons why! The top two being that my sister has a rare disease that eats away her bones, therefore making it relatable, and this book is amazibgly written and never lets you get bored. TEN MILLION STARS!
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Posted Tue Jan 08 00:00:00 EST 2013
The Probability of Miracles written by author Wendy Wunder is a hard hitting look at what a person goes through when dealing with cancer. Wendy Wunder shows this not only from the patients, Campbell Cooper, view, but from family and friends as well. Campbell shows a strength beyond her years to those around her when dealing with her cancer, but down inside she is scared of the unknown. Wendy Wunder will captivate readers with the realistic portrayal of her characters as the story moves along from the state of Florida to settle in the state of Maine. From Cam who is emotionally strong, stubborn, sarcastic, brutally honest, overall hard outer shell yet cares more for those around her then herself. To Perry, Cam's half sister, who is quiet, very optimistic, willing to go along with anything that Cam wants to do. To a mother, single, trying to divide her time between her daughters and work, full of love and faith that God will make everything work out. The Probability of Miracles a book that will tug your heart stings pull in every direction. You will laugh and cry with the characters, hope and pray along side them, you will be shocked and want to reprimand them when they go astray or feel their lack in faith. The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder is a must read for anyone who loves a book that with bring you to an emotional cliff and back again.
Anonymous
Posted Sat Aug 25 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I hated it.
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Posted Thu Jul 12 00:00:00 EDT 2012
One of the best books I have ever read. I was definitely not disappointed at all with book. It makes you look at the things that are important in life. I recommend this book to everyone I know. It definitely made me cry a couple times ,but it showed me that it's important to embrace the life you live no matter how short or long.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.An Emotional Rollercoaster
Review brought to you by OBS staff member Autumn
I can’t remember the last time that I read a book that made me so emotional right from the start. The Probability of Miracles is one such book.
Campbell Cooper is a very young sixteen years old and is fighting incurable cancer. She hides her real feelings behind sharp sarcasm and logic, which I found both exasperating and endearing. Her eccentric mother, Alicia, tries to get Cam to believe in hope again by taking her and her younger sister, Perry, on a trip to a city in Maine that is rumored to be the center of some unexplained activity.
Promise has seen some incredible miracles. People have been inexplicably cured, animals have suddenly appeared where they shouldn’t and flowers bloom in strange colors. It is here that Cam meets a beautiful boy by the name of Asher.
Asher is one of my favorite characters in the book. His free spirit turns out to be just the thing to help Cam embrace her life just as it is. He makes a pact to help her check off all of the things that are on her “Flamingo” list and in the process they fall deeply in love. Under the wide blue sky of Promise, Cam seems to finally get well – until she isn’t.
I related to Cam on so many levels. I grew up in the same area as she did and that added another subtle nuance for me to experience it once again through her eyes.
I felt as if I was on a wild emotional rollercoaster while reading this book and would recommend reading it in a place where you aren’t afraid to break into an ugly cry because it is just that brilliantly haunting.
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coolpooh
Posted Tue Jun 26 00:00:00 EDT 2012
This book is beautifully written. The characters and setting seem to pop off the page. Definitely one of my favorite books. You won't be disappointed.
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Posted Fri Jun 22 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I was a little hesitant to read this at first because death is, after all, a sensitive subject. However, once I opened this book, I tore through it in a few days. What I love about it is that it's so real. There are some things said that you certainly wouldn't expect. But then you realize that these things are said in our own lives. There are even embarassing moments that seem unlikely, until you realize they're more realistic than you think.
I love the chemistry between Cam and Asher. And I love their characters, too. Cam is so fantastic. I love the way she deals with everything in her life. She doesn't always make the best decisions, but she's a confused and dying teenager trying to make sense of what remains of her life. She is perfect and I admire her and how she is able to resolve things not only for hersel but for others around her.
Asher. I wish Asher was real. He is totally crush-worthy. What's great is that unlike most young adult romances, Ahser actually has a story of his own. One equally as scarring and unpleasant as Cam's, in its own way. I love the way that wehn everything is uncertain, Asher is always able to be sure of things for him and Cam. Their relationship was beautiful and the connection remarkable.
I always love your typical, happy-ending-everything-is-perfect romance. But this has so much more substance. It's so different from anything I've ever read before, and I just love it. It's complicated and some parts won't make sense at first, but they will eventually. I was astounded at how real everything felt. I'm not usually a fan of third person, but i think that approach worked brilliantly for this novel. I felt like everything happening was real, and the people were real.
This story was so touching and perfectly imperfect and real. My new favorite. It really is a must-read.
Anonymous
Posted Sat Jun 09 00:00:00 EDT 2012
This book is more than amazing! it shows that you can live life with an illness and follow dreams fall in love and so much more! i fell in love and even cried a little because this book touched my heart so much<3 love love loved this book! highly recommended to everyone!
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Posted Mon Apr 16 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Read this book in one day. I reccomend this book if you like romance, truly inspiring.
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Posted Tue Mar 27 00:00:00 EDT 2012
this book is totally and completely uplifting. ONe of the best books i have read thi year so far. This is a must read. LOVE IT!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Wow.. just wow. This book was SO DIFFERENT from what I was expecting going into the story. Yes it is about a cancer patient, going to a 'magical' place that might cure the cancer, but I wasn't expecting the book to be dripping in sarcasm. First of, Cam was basically dragged into this supposed magical town, because she has given up. She doesn't think she'll ever be cured and just accepted it. However, by accepting her fate she didn't just lock herself in her room and treat herself as a weak cancer patient, she went all out. Half of what she did in the story, I would never have the guts to do! It definitely made me rethink my predisposed ideas of the definition of a 'sick patient'.
At the beginning I wasn't entirely comfortable with Wendy Wunder's writing. It seemed too direct and full on. However as I continued reading, I found myself enjoying the writing, and laughing along multiple times. Cam is definitely the comic relief in this story, ironic since she, herself, is the reason for the grief and sad aspect in the story. Some parts of the book had me gasping, while others just warmed my heart, especially Cam and her love for animals. This book is a perfect contemporary that warms your heart but at the same time doesn't lose sight of the reality of the situation, even with all the magical wackiness that occurs. I'm pretty sure those were there for a reason, and that is to bring back the hope and dreams of the future that Cam believes she can't have, and to let her live in the moment, because the right now is what we can guarantee. All in all this book is fantastic and you should all read it and I can't wait to read the next novel by Wendy!
Anonymous
Posted Fri Mar 09 00:00:00 EST 2012
This book is really good. First of all, Im not ome to be really into third person point of view, but the author did such a good job of tieing in Cam's sarcasm that I forgot a couple of times that it actually was third person.
I dunno, its not everyday that you find a third person POV so easy to relate to.
Second of all, the plot was simple and easy to relate to. I hate books with overdone plots and waaaay too much stuff going on. But thats not saying the book was boring. It had so many little twists in the plot and you know in the end of the book there would be only two outcomes that it makes you keep on switching predictions.
Lastly, Cam is just an awesome character. Her personallity is just so painfully real that it sets her far appart from most other protagonists Ive found myself rooting for in a book. I love her witty humor that keeps a potentially tragic book from becoming plain old depressing. Cam's love for Cumulus makes me want a VW Beetle too : )
Blondie1424
Posted Sun Jan 29 00:00:00 EST 2012
Wow. I love this book. This book is so beautifully written and Cam will stay with you long after you finish this book. I read this book in a week, it was so wonderful. I cried and I laughed at everything in this story. It's whitty, and defiantly different. I am going to recommend this book to everyone I know. I will be touched forever from this read, I suggest you read it!!!!!
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Posted Wed Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2012
This was so relatable i loved cause i have a sister named perry like one of the characters.
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Overview
A dying teen learns to live in this heart-wrenching debut, perfect for fans of If I Stay
Campbell Cooper has never been in love. And if the doctors are right, she'll never have the chance. So when she's told she needs a miracle, her family moves 1,500 miles north to Promise, Maine—a place where amazing, unexplainable events are said to occur—like it or not. And when a mysterious envelope arrives, containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies, she finally learns to ...