It may be one that a guy would rather watch alone to enjoy this, however, its well worth anybody's time. I also like the fact that I can watch it with my teens in the room without the embarrassment of nudity, and sexual situations that keep parents and their teens from enjoying a movie together. Bring out the popcorn, but don't forget the tissues! DISCLAIMER:This trailer is unofficial. I don't even know if they will film this second movie. I only read the book and was inspired to edit this video.
- Where Can I Watch If I Stay online, free
- If I Stay 123
- If I Stay Movie Online
- Watch If I Stay 2014
- Watch If I Stay Online
It’s hard out there. And, in this time of uncertainty, USA TODAY is working to find answers to your money questions – anything from stimulus checks or unemployment benefits to your 401(k) or retirement plans. You can submit your questions here and read earlier answers below.
We will be updating the Q&A, so check back often. But, also look to these places:
My husband is in the national guard and might get called to active duty. If he gets called and I have to stay home with our child, do I still qualify for unemployment?
… I wont lose my job because I’m an essential employee, but I will have to step away or lose hours due to our child being out of school.
The CARES Act allows people who must stay home because their child’s school or day has been closed due to the coronavirus to receive some financial assistance. You can apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for your state.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
My boss is hiring people to replace those of us who were laid off. He also ordered existing employees hours to be reduced by half! Is that legal?
… How can we find out if he applied for the paycheck loan? He said he was but we don’t trust him.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) does not require businesses to rehire the same people that were laid off. It only requires that the loan will be forgiven if at least 75% of the total amount is spent on personnel with the remainder on work-related costs, such as rent, mortgage or utilities. If you believe your boss has acted improperly or illegally, you could contact your local or state labor agency to file a complaint.
— Ledyard King
Follow Ledyard on Twitter @LedgeKing
Can still receive unemployment if I owe an over payment of unemployment?
Different states may handle this situation differently. But it’s generally not the state’s desire to be punitive. In Kentucky, for example, the state is offering individuals who find themselves in this situation the opportunity to negotiate the amount that is withheld from their current benefits until the debt is paid back.
— Alfred Miller
Follow Alfred on Twitter @alfredfmiller
I was hired, but the company said it couldn’t bring me onboard because of COVID-19. Am I eligible for any benefits under the CARES Act?
Yes, under the CARES Act, people who lost jobs due to the coronavirus before they could start them can get financial assistance.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
I’m a new immigrant who got here at the end of 2019 and have not found a job yet. I haven’t filed my 2019 taxes, am I eligible for the stimulus check?
If you are a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident or a qualified resident alien, you are eligible for the payment. You do not need to have a job or other income to qualify. However, you first must provide the IRS with some payment information. You can do that by filling out the form for non-filers here.
— Michael Collins
Follow Michael on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS.
Can we receive money or food? My husband lay-off at restaurant in California and I also can’t work as a massage therapist.
… I applied for unemployment benefits on March 16 and still don’t receive any response or money. How can we can survive?
Various organizations are offering more immediate assistance, including some specific to restaurant workers like chef Edward Lee’s Restaurant Workers Relief Program. That particular organization is distributing food and supplies from locations across the country, including Sqirl in Los Angeles. Food bank Second Harvest also provides search tool for people seeking aid near them: https://www.shfb.org/get-food/.
Additionally, Feeding America helps people identify local food banks across the nation.
— Alfred Miller
Follow Alfred on Twitter @alfredfmiller
Would I be eligible for unemployment if I haven’t had a job in 7 months? I had to quit to care for my mother. I’m currently looking for work.
How unemployment benefits are calculated varies by state, but even those who don’t qualify for unemployment are automatically considered for the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that was created as part of the CARES Act. PUA aids people who are unable to work due to the coronavirus pandemic but do not qualify for traditional unemployment insurance. The PUA benefit rate is based on recent earnings, with recipients also getting the additional $600 per week.
— Alfred Miller
Follow Alfred on Twitter @alfredfmiller
I am the director of a small business whose employees were furloughed. With the extra $600 a week plus state unemployment benefits, several people will be earning more on unemployment than working.
Bringing staff back at their regular wage through the Paycheck Protection Program will result in them earning less than they are getting on unemployment. This doesn’t seem right. Why would they return?
Several Republican senators brought up the very same issue during the debate on the first stimulus bill passed in March, saying it would encourage some people to collect unemployment rather than work. But both the Trump administration and most Democrats argued the $600 boost was necessary because unemployment benefits alone in many states would not restore their full pay before the crisis. They don’t believe most workers, such as front-line health care responders, would choose staying home over staying on the job.
— Ledyard King
Follow Ledyard on Twitter @LedgeKing
If you did not qualify for unemployment in your state because you haven’t worked long enough, can you still get the $600?
Yes, the federal government has created the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. It aids people who are unable to work due to the coronavirus pandemic but do not qualify for traditional unemployment insurance. People who don’t qualify for unemployment are automatically considered for PUA. The PUA benefit rate is based on recent earnings, with recipients also getting the additional $600 per week.
— Alfred Miller
Follow Alfred on Twitter @alfredfmiller
Will parents of college students get the $500 in stimulus money?
No, people aged 17 and older who can be claimed as someone else’s dependent are left out of the plan. In other words, many college students won’t receive the $1,200 and their status won’t entitle their parents to receive an additional $500.
— Alfred Miller
Follow Alfred on Twitter @alfredfmiller
I got divorced in February. But I filed jointly for taxes in 2019 with my former spouse and our combined income was $170,000. Do I qualify for assistance?
An individual can go to the IRS and attempt to pursue a matter like this at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.
— Alfred Miller
Follow Alfred on Twitter @alfredfmiller
Will my stimulus check be taxed?
No. Stimulus checks aren’t taxable income. The checks are refundable tax credits, according to the Tax Foundation, a tax policy think tank. The credits will be applied to 2020 tax returns, but are advanced to taxpayers now based on their 2019 or 2018 adjusted gross income.
— Jessica Menton
Follow Jessica on Twitter @JessicaMenton.
My stimulus check was sent to an account I don’t recognize. Where’s my stimulus check?
While many people received their stimulus deposit, other payments may have gotten inadvertently sent to temporary accounts created during the tax filing process. The IRS said it is moving to provide additional information and resolve any issues as soon as possible.
After you file your taxes with a tax professional, transfer banks such as MetaBank, Republic Bank and Santa Barbara Tax Product Group set up temporary accounts for taxpayers who want a refund advance or to deduct tax preparation fees from a refund.
“Those last four digits on the Get My Payment portal match the transfer provider’s information that has been submitted to the IRS,” said Natalie Parchment, a tax preparation consultant.
— Dalvin Brown and Jessica Menton
Follow Dalvin on Twitter @dalvin_brown and Jessica on @JessicaMenton.
Will the additional $600 unemployment payment be taxable?
Yes. Unemployment benefits are considered taxable income, according to the IRS. Those benefits typically last for 26 weeks, but Congress added 13 additional weeks on top of that for a total of 39 weeks. Unemployed workers will get an extra $600 per week of unemployment benefits on top of their unemployment checks, which will be paid retroactively to March 29 or when you became unemployed.
— Jessica Menton
Follow Jessica on Twitter @JessicaMenton.
If my income is higher in 2020, will I have to pay back my stimulus check?
No. If the amount of the credit a taxpayer qualifies for in 2020 is less than it was based on their 2019 return, it doesn’t have to be paid back, according to the Tax Foundation.
If your income is less in 2020, you will receive the difference of the credit if it is in your favor. If your income drops this year, for instance, you’ll be eligible for any remaining credit that you weren’t able to claim using your 2019 or 2018 return.
— Jessica Menton
Follow Jessica on Twitter @JessicaMenton.
How do you file for unemployment if you were supposed to start a job but it fell through because of the coronavirus?
… I was supposed to start a job in New York State but I live in Pennsylvania, with which state do I apply for unemployment insurance?
You should apply in the state where you were supposed to work. You might be able to get documentation from your prospective employer stating that the job was impacted by the virus.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
Is the $600 from the federal government retroactive?
… I have been out of work since March 17 and my wife applied for unemployment on March 18, before the CARES act.
Answer: Depending on when your state entered into its agreement with the federal government, the $600 payment could be retroactive back to March 28.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
Will I get a stimulus check if I defaulted on my student loans?
Under the CARES Act, the government won’t withhold the money you owe for defaulted federal student loans out of your payment. It blocks the IRS from garnishing your tax refund for those late loan payments. Also, the government won’t ding your wages or withhold social security payments for six months under the relief package.
… What if my tax refund was already garnished?
If your tax refund was withheld because you defaulted on a federal student loan on or after March 13, which was the day President Donald Trump declared a national emergency, it will be returned to you, according to the Department of Education. That also applies to garnished wages and withheld Social Security benefits.
… Does it apply to private loans?
No. Private debt collectors could still garnish student loan debts.
If you have trouble paying, contact your lender for options.
— Jessica Menton
Follow Jessica on Twitter @JessicaMenton.
Will my stimulus check be affected if I owe taxes?
… or child support?
… or overdue on student loan payments?
While the CARES Act suspends debts like overdue student loans or back taxes that typically lead to the garnishment of tax refunds, it doesn’t apply to delinquent child support payments. That means the government’s relief checks will still be garnished if you’re overdue. And some spouses who are filing joint tax returns with their late-paying partners are upset their stimulus money is being trimmed or withheld, even if they typically qualify for relief in situations like tax refunds.
Even if your spouse is solely responsible for the debt, a shared tax refund or stimulus check could be at risk.
…. If I owe child support, does the stimulus money go to my ex?
The stimulus payment that is reduced or withheld by the child support owed will go to the appropriate collecting office for the taxpayer’s state. From there, that collecting office will issue the money to the custodial parent, the person due the child support.
— Jessica Menton
Follow Jessica on Twitter @JessicaMenton.
When will I get my stimulus check?
The Internal Revenue Service is expected to launch an online tool as soon as Wednesday to get a better clue on when you’ll see your Economic Impact Payment via IRS.gov/eip. The IRS said the tool will let you go online to check the status of a payment, including the date it’s scheduled to be deposited or mailed.
If you do not see the money in your bank account in two weeks, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said you can go to IRS.gov to see “Get My Payment.” If you filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return and did not receive a stimulus payment, he said, make sure to have your tax return information available to use at the “Get My Payment” tool later this week.
— Susan Tompor
Follow Susan on Twitter: @tompor.
Is that money in my account my stimulus check?
Taxpayers are telling their friends, and yes, posting news on social media, that they’re already seeing stimulus cash arrive in their bank accounts.
Some consumers spotted the first direct deposits as early as Saturday; others started seeing more information as of Monday. The IRS even tweeted Saturday evening that the agency deposited the first Economic Impact Payments into bank accounts on Saturday.
Some people in Michigan who checked their bank accounts online in the past few days spotted that $1,200 or more will be available in their bank accounts as of April 15.
Interestingly: The wording being used is “IRS Treas 310” (cut-in Michigan) so don’t expect to see words like “stimulus checks” or “recovery rebate” or “economic impact payment” on your bank statement.
— Susan Tompor
Follow Susan on Twitter: @tompor.
Will Social Security recipients receive a stimulus check?
Social Security beneficiaries and other Americans who haven’t filed income taxes for the past two years won’t have to take any extra steps to receive one-time checks.
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the IRS will use Social Security data to generate payments to recipients who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019.
— Michael Collins
Follow Michael on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS.
Will people in retirement get a stimulus check?
As long as your adjusted gross income in 2019 was no more than $99,000 (if you file separately) or $198,000 (if you file jointly), you will receive some money. The law does not make a distinction between those who are working and those who are retired.
— Ledyard King
Follow Ledyard on Twitter @LedgeKing.
One of my workers is asking if they can go on unemployment and not work because he is living with two elderly people. Can he do this?
… We have work for him, however, he does not want to work due to the chances of infection towards his elderly roommates.
If your employee has a specific reason to worry he may have been exposed to the virus and needs to stop work, he could be eligible for benefits. If not, quitting and filing for such benefits without cause can be deemed fraud by federal officials.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
I have a military pension, am I still eligible for unemployment from a civilian job?
… If so, will my benefits be reduced due to the pension?
Yes, you should be eligible for unemployment and a military pension should not offset it.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
I just started my job and have not received any commission. How do I file for unemployment with no proof of income?
You may qualify for state benefits if the reason you haven’t been able to get your new business off the ground is because of the coronavirus crisis, such as a government-ordered shut down or the need to care for a child whose school has closed, says Andrew Stettner, a senior fellow with the Century Foundation, a nonprofit think tank. She can apply for relief under the CARES Act and should prepare to demonstrate what she did in regard to her business and how COVID-19 affected it.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
How do I apply for the new small business loan to pay my rent and my employees?
Small businesses (those with 500 and fewer employees) can apply for a loan under the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program that will cover eight weeks of operations and be fully forgiven if at least 75% of the money is used for payroll and the rest is for other other business-related expenses (such as rent/mortgage and utilities). You’ll have to download this form and then find an eligible lender, such as an SBA-certified local bank or commercial lender. You can still borrow the money if you don’t meet the 75% payroll requirement but you’ll have to pay it back with 1% interest within two years.
— Ledyard King
Follow Ledyard on Twitter @LedgeKing.
If I am afraid to go to work but haven’t been laid off due to coronavirus, can I quit and collect unemployment?
No. Not unless you can show you were possibly exposed to the virus. Guidance in regard to the federal relief act specifically states that quitting a job without cause to get benefits would be deemed fraud.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
Do I need to apply for the $600 extra federal unemployment?
You do not have to apply separately for the $600 federal unemployment check.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
Where Can I Watch If I Stay online, free
Thinking about a small business loan to pay our employees, could that impact their unemployment claims?
At least 75% of the Paycheck Protection Program loan must be spent on payroll in order for it to be completely forgiven. If workers file for unemployment, that could compromise the small business or nonprofit organization’s ability to meet the requirement.
— Ledyard King
Follow Ledyard on Twitter @LedgeKing.
I got unemployment but my employer now wants to cover our salaries with the CARE stimulus, do I have to cancel unemployment?
If you are getting your full pay, you are not eligible for unemployment benefits. Typically, you have to check in every week to let the state know you remain unemployed in order to continue getting assistance.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
My employer reduced my salary, can I apply for partial unemployment?
Yes. If the pay cut is related to the COVID-19 pandemic, you should be able to get some financial assistance.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
Should I withdraw money from my 401 (k)?
Pulling funds from retirement accounts out of fear isn’t the best immediate course of action, wealth advisors say. It’s a case-by-case basis. Do you have emergency savings? Are there opportunities to refinance student loan debt, mortgage or car payments? Investors should take advantage of lower rates first before they tap into their retirement funds, experts say.
More information on 401 (k) and the CARES Act here.
— Jessica Menton
Follow Jessica on Twitter @JessicaMenton.
If I Stay 123
I was furloughed and after applying for unemployment benefits, got two part-time temporary jobs. Am I now disqualified from any benefits?
You are not automatically disqualified from receiving benefits. However, the amount you would receive will be reduced due to the part-time income, and in some states, you may be earning too much, according to Andrew Stettner with The Century Foundation. You need to check with your state. And a word of caution: You cannot quit working without cause to boost your benefits. You would lose your financial assistance, and could be determined to have committed fraud.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
Will homeowners get relief with mortgages?
The CARES Act gives homeowners with federally backed loans two types of relief. First, it prevents lenders from beginning foreclosure proceedings on federally backed loans for at least 60 days after March 18. Second, homeowners who experienced financial hardship from the pandemic can request a forbearance for up to 180 days, which may be extended for an additional period of up to six months if borrowers are still under financial duress.
… How can I postpone my mortgage payments?
To receive forbearance through the CARES Act, you must contact your loan servicer. There won’t be any additional fees, penalties or interest added to your account through this deferment, but regular interest will still accrue.
— Jessica Menton
Follow Jessica on Twitter @JessicaMenton.
Will adults with disabilities, who are dependents on a caregivers’ tax returns, receive a stimulus check?
No. The new law that set up the stimulus check program says that individuals who are claimed as dependents by someone else are not eligible for a stimulus check.
— Michael Collins
Follow Michael on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS.
Can I apply for unemployment benefits for a second, part-time job?
If I Stay Movie Online
Losing a second job makes you eligible for partial unemployment insurance. States have different rules regarding part-time positions, but the federal CARES Act does say part-time workers who are affected by the ramifications of COVID-19 can get assistance. Check with your state, but you should be able to get some aid.
… I work 2 part time jobs, one of which I had my hours cut way back. I am still working about 20 hours a week in one job. Can I collect unemployment insurance on a part time job?
It depends on the state whether part-time workers can receive unemployment benefits. California for instance does pay out such funds. The federal CARES Act also says part-time workers are entitled to assistance if their hours are cut for reasons out of their control. So you may be able to get the $600 federal benefit as well, but again, it’s best to check with your state unemployment office
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
When will the $600 federal unemployment check be paid?
… I got my first unemployment check but not the $600.
The pipeline for these payments is still unclear.
… I’ve been unemployed since January 2020. Is the $600 weekly benefit retroactive from then or just from the date it was announced?
Depending on when your state entered into an agreement with the federal government, the $600 weekly benefit could be retroactive back to March 28. It ends July 31.
… Are furloughs eligible for the federal $600?
Yes. If the person isn’t being paid, they are considered unemployed and can receive that federal assistance.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
My pay is based on commission, can I file for unemployment?
Specifically, if your hours have been cut or your office is closed for reasons related to COVID-19, you should be able to receive unemployment benefits. You would file in the state you work.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
My unemployment expired already. Will I be eligible for any benefits now?
Yes. If you are still out of work, you should be eligible for the 13 weeks of unemployment benefits that the federal government will pay, along with the extra $600 federal payment per week.
… I’ve recently exhausted my unemployment about a month ago, but I’m not able to file online due to my initial claim.
A lot of websites are unfortunately still catching up with the additional benefits offered by the CARES Act. Reach out to your phone company to tell them your situation. You may be able to get a reprieve on your payment. And continue to call. The log jam will hopefully lessen as more staff is brought in.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
Does a moratorium on rent mean I never have to pay rent for that month?
No, it just means the rent is deferred. That can leave tenants with several months of back payments due when the emergency is over.
— Paul Davidson
Follow Paul on Twitter @PDavidsonusat
What is unemployment insurance and how do I get it?
Unemployment insurance is a joint program between the federal government and the states set up to provide some money to people who are trying to get a job but can’t find one. The benefit has been expanded by a $2.2 trillion relief package – called the CARES Act – passed by the federal government last week to help soften the blow of the coronavirus pandemic, which shutting down businesses across the country and forcing layoffs of millions of people.
“Every one of the 50 states has an online application system,” says Michele Evermore, senior researcher and policy analyst for the National Employment Law Project.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
How much unemployment will I get?
The maximum weekly benefit varies by state. For instance, in Florida, it tops out at $275, while in New York the maximum is $504. But under the federal relief law, everyone will get an additional $600 a week until July 31.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
How long do unemployment benefits last?
Some states offer fewer weeks of benefits than others. But with unemployment now expanded, anyone who is still out of work when their state benefit period runs out will be able to get payments for an additional 13 weeks from the federal government.
Those who worked in states like Florida where the initial period is only 12 weeks, would be eligible for the unemployment insurance specifically pegged to the pandemic which tacks on another 14 weeks.
Through these various steps, all those who are out of work will be able to get assistance for up to 39 weeks.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
Can I file a jobless claim if I work for myself or in the gig economy?
Yes. Independent contractors, freelancers and gig workers will be able to get the same benefits through a new pandemic assistance program established by the CARES act.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
How much stimulus money can I get?
If you’ve already filed your 2019 taxes, the Internal Revenue Service will use those returns to determine your payment. If not, your 2018 returns will be used to calculate your check.
Individuals with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less will be eligible for a one-time payment of up to $1,200 ($2,400 for joint tax returns) and $500 for each qualifying child. Those with little or no tax liability also will get $1,200 ($2,400 for joint returns).
The payments will start to phase out for Americans who earn more than $75,000, or $150,000 for a joint return. The amount you receive will be decreased by 5% of the amount your income exceeds $75,000.
You can use this calculator to estimate your check amount.
— Charisse Jones
Follow Charisse on Twitter @charissejones.
Do freelancers, gig workers qualify for unemployment?
Under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, included in the stimulus bill, freelancers and gig workers can receive half the average unemployment benefit in their state and an extra $600 per week.
— Coral Murphy-Marcos
Follow Coral on Twitter @CoralMerfi
What companies are hiring right now?
Companies in the health care industry, as well as food, grocer, convenience stores, retail and delivery companies are currently in the process of mass hiring. For a list of the employers, click here.
— Jazmin Goodwin
Follow Jazmin on Twitter @jazminkgoodwin.
Ask more questions!
| Author | Gayle Forman |
|---|---|
| Country | International |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult fiction |
| Publisher | Dutton Penguin |
| 2009 | |
| Media type | Print (hard cover, paper back), Audiobook, eBook |
| Pages | 210 |
| ISBN | 9780142415436 |
| Followed by | Where She Went |
| Website | gayleforman.com |
If I Stay is a young adult novel[1] by Gayle Forman published in 2009. The story follows 17-year-old Mia Hall as she deals with the aftermath of a catastrophic car accident involving her family. Mia is the only member of her family to survive, and she finds herself in a coma. Through this coma, however, Mia has an out-of-body experience. Through this, she is able to watch the actions around her, as close friends and family gather at the hospital where she is being treated. The book follows Mia's stories and the unfolding of her life through a series of flashbacks. Mia finds herself stuck between two worlds: the world of the living, and the world of those who have moved on. Mia realizes that she must use her past and her relationships to make a decision for her future. Her options are to stay with her grandparents and her boyfriend, Adam, or to move on and avoid the pain of living without her mother, father, and little brother. The novel received positive reviews from the young adult audience, and Summit Entertainment optioned it in December 2010, for a 2014 film adaptation.[2]
A novel continuing Mia's story, Where She Went, was published in April 2011.[3]
Plot[edit]
On a snowy day in Portland, Oregon, Mia, her mother, her father, and her little brother, Teddy, decide to go for a morning drive. The snow causes their car to swerve into another lane where a car crashes into theirs, causing serious injuries for the entire family. When Mia awakens, she finds herself detached from her body, which is barely holding on. She finds the bodies of her mother and father, who died from the crash. She also finds her own body, on the brink of death. Mia realizes that she is having an out of body experience, and follows her physical body to the hospital. She watches her extended family rushing to take care of her, while her best friend Kim and her boyfriend Adam struggle to reach the hospital. Through her stay at the hospital, Mia reflects on her life, reminiscing about the development of her relationship with Adam, the development of her passion and talent for playing the cello, and the obstacles of being a teenager who feels out of place no matter where she goes. Mia goes back and forth between deciding whether to stay with her remaining family, as well as Adam, or whether to leave, to be with her parents and Teddy, who have passed on. Her decision is almost made up to leave until Adam finally reaches the room where her body is being held. He begs her to stay, and at that moment, she sees how her whole future would go on if she was to stay. At that moment, she decides to stay alive.
Characters[edit]
- Mia Hall: Mia is a 17-year-old girl living in Oregon. Though she cares deeply and has a great deal of love for her family, and her boyfriend Adam, the one place in which Mia feels most secure is when she is playing her cello. Her idol is Ludwig van Beethoven. Mia struggles with a sense of fitting in, especially amongst her parents and her younger brother Teddy. While her entire family shares a great passion for music, Mia stands out as the only classical music inclined member. Both of her parents were great promoters of the rock movement. Even her younger brother Teddy, while young, is already showing an interest in rock. Mia struggles between the two versions of herself, the version that fits in with her music and the version that longs to fit in and get along easily with her family and her boyfriend. Mia struggles to understand why her boyfriend, Adam, cares for her the way he does. She can’t understand how he can see past their differences. This poses problems for the two, though their relationship is inherently very strong otherwise.
- Adam Wilde: Mia Hall's boyfriend. He is very handsome and loves music. He plays guitar in the band Shooting Star, which is rapidly gaining popularity throughout Oregon. Adam’s band is on tour when Mia has her accident, and this tour sets the tone for potential issues with their relationship. Though their love for each other is very strong, they both seem to be heading in separate directions. It is their love for music that is causing the separation. Mia is considering going to Juilliard and Adam must stay in the Oregon area to continue playing guitar for his band. Adam loves Mia and would do anything to make her happy. During Mia’s time in the hospital after her accident, Adam does whatever he can to connect with her and wake her from her coma.
- Kim Schein: Mia's best friend. Although they originally despised one another when they first met, they soon become best friends. They are said to be very alike and are perceived as 'dark and studious'—assumptions that often work to their advantage. Kim is sarcastic, and obedient to her emotional mother, up until her breaking point in which she tells her mother to get her stuff together. Kim’s strength is depicted through this scene in which she pushes her own feelings aside to be a support system to her best friend. Kim has a private connection to her Jewish heritage, which she doesn’t display but relies on when Mia is injured. Despite Mia’s attempts to get them to be friends, Kim and Adam are not fond of each. Kim said that their connection is only through Mia, and this connection is clearly strengthened through their ventures to get Adam to Mia when she is in the hospital.
- Teddy Hall: Mia's younger brother. Mia is extremely fond of Teddy, saying he is like her own child. Teddy admires Mia and the two are very close. The relationship between Mia and Teddy is much closer than the average brother-sister relationship. Mia's fierce protectiveness is shown immediately after the accident. Though it's clear that her mother and father's deaths affect her a great deal, her immediate concern is over Teddy's well-being. She finds herself depending on her decision on whether to leave or to stay on Teddy's survival. His death hits her extremely hard. Teddy's innocence and the loss of this innocent life is a representative of the innocence Mia will lose should she choose to stay in the physical world.
- Kat Hall: Mia's mother, who is 'tough as nails, tender as kittens.' She loves rock music and her family, of whom she is protective and fiercely loyal. Kat struggles to understand her daughter, who is so unlike herself and the rest of the family. She loves her unconditionally, and does her best to make Mia feel accepted and loved despite the differences between the two. Although she accepts Mia's differences, she encourages Mia to step out of the box and not be afraid to try new things. She's honest and dependable. She tells Mia all of the things she needs to hear, despite whether or not she actually wants to hear them.
- Denny Hall: Mia's father. Denny also possesses a great love for music and was in a rock band of his own before he became a father. Though music was extremely important to him, his family was more so, and because of that he finds it easy to move on and 'grow up'. Mia and her father share a special relationship and find themselves connecting as artists. Mia appreciates who her father is, both as a musician and a lyricist. Though Denny has given himself over to the idea of fatherhood and settling down, he still clings to his rock and roll self, dressing in odd hipster fashions and playing rock music for his family in the car. Denny pushes Mia to be the best musician she can be, and shares a special connection with her. He buys Mia her first cello and gives her a pep talk before her first ever performance.
Themes[edit]
Choices: The conflict of making choices is a prominent theme in the book. The entire crux of the novel hinges on Mia's decision about where she will choose to go. Her choices become a reflection of her true character; whether she has the strength to go on in her life without her family, or whether the burden of losing them will be too much to bear. There is also an element of choice throughout many of Mia's flashbacks. The choices about whether to go to Juilliard or to stay with Adam. The choices about whether she stays true to her passions of classical music or whether to step outside the box and try to immerse herself in the world of rock.
Life and Death: This is an obvious theme in the book. Mia is confronted by the idea of life versus death and is given the rare opportunity to choose which she wants to embrace. She faces death in a very abnormal way, dealing with not only the death of her family but the potential death of herself. She also must deal with the idea of life, and all the possibilities it can bring for her.
Growing Up: Mia is forced to face the reality of growing up way before her accident, although it becomes much clearer that her life will require her to grow up very quickly should she choose to stay in the physical world. Mia struggles with leaving her childhood behind as she reaches the end of her high school career and is on the brink of entering an adult world, where she will not only be in a new place but be completely alone, where she must fend for herself.
Sequel[edit]
If I Stay is followed by the sequel Where She Went, released in April 2011. The novel picks back up years after Mia’s accident. This time, however, the novel is told from the perspective of Adam, Mia's (now) ex-boyfriend. The two were going through a hard time when Mia made the decision to end her relationship with Adam and left to go to New York to attend the Juilliard School of Music. The sequel follows their reunion through one night in New York, and takes them on a wild ride that might bring the two back together.[4]
Reception[edit]
Lyn Rashid of the School Library Journal explained that the novel has 'captivating characters' that 'will cause [readers] to laugh, cry, and love' and 'question the boundaries of family and love.' Mia has a 'compelling story' said Rashid.[5]
In terms of thematic interpretations, Elle Wolterbeek of the Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy explained that '[m]usic is an extremely important aspect of the story.'[6]
According to the Thuy On, 'The title refers to the battle between fate and self-will.' The reviewer also agreed that the novel addressed 'the tug of familial and sexual love and the bonds between friends as well as the passion for music.'[7]
Film adaptation[edit]
After the book's success, Forman decided to collaborate with Summit Entertainment to bring the novel to the big screen. In December 2010, it was announced that a film was in the works and that Dakota Fanning, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Emily Browning were in talks to play Mia.[8] Chloë Grace Moretz eventually ended up securing the role on January 24, 2013. Catherine Hardwicke, director of the first Twilight film, was originally set to direct the film adaptation, but she was eventually replaced by Brazilian filmmaker Heitor Dhalia,[9] who also left the film later. On January 24, 2013, R.J. Cutler was announced as the new director of the film.[10] On January 2014, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Warner Bros. Pictures were announced to distribute the film, and it was released on August 22, 2014.[11] The film ended up bringing in about $78 million into box offices.
Watch If I Stay 2014
Bibliography[edit]
- Forman, Gayle. If I Stay: A Novel. New York: Dutton, 2009. Prit.
References[edit]
Watch If I Stay Online
- ^Siegel, Robert (3 January 2011). ''If I Stay': Trapped Between Life and Death'. All Things Considered. National Public Radio.
- ^'If I Stay reviews'. Amazon.com. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
- ^Staskiewicz, Keith (24 August 2010). 'EW Exclusive: Cover peek for 'Where She Went,' the sequel to 'If I Stay''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
- ^https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8492825-where-she-went
- ^Rashid, Lynn (May 2009). 'Forman, Gail. If I Stay. (Young Adult Review)'. School Library Journal. Marriottsville, MD: 106.
- ^Wolterbeek, Elle (10 March 2011). 'If I Stay'. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy. Tempe, AZ: Arizona State University. 53 (7): 616–617.
- ^On, Thuy (10 March 2011). 'Young adult fiction': A2, p. 28.Cite journal requires
|journal=(help) - ^Wilkinson, Amy (9 December 2010). 'Dakota Fanning Will Not Star In 'If I Stay''. Hollywood Crush. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^Kroll, Justin (20 October 2010). 'Summit asks Dakota Fanning to 'Stay''. Variety. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^'Chloe Moretz to Lead Young Adult Adaptation 'If I Stay' from R.J. Cutler'. Firstshowing.net. 24 January 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^'Warner Bros., MGM Partner on YA Pic 'If I Stay,' Set 2014 Release'. hollywoodreporter.com. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
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