It's a Wonderful Death

(Paperback)

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Description

Age range 12 to 17

Seventeen-year-old RJ always gets what she wants. So when her soul is accidentally collected by a distracted Grim Reaper, somebody in the afterlife better figure out a way to send her back from the dead or heads will roll. But in her quest for mortality, she becomes a pawn in a power struggle between an overzealous archangel and Death Himself. The tribunal presents her with two options: she can remain in the lobby, where souls wait to be processed, until her original lifeline expires, or she can replay three moments in her life in an effort to make choices that will result in a future deemed worthy of being saved. It sounds like a no-brainer. She'll take a walk down memory lane. How hard can changing her future be
But with each changing moment, RJ's life begins to unravel, until this self-proclaimed queen bee is a social pariah. She begins to wonder if walking among the living is worth it if she has to spend the next sixty years as an outcast. Too quickly, RJ finds herself back in limbo, her time on Earth once again up for debate.
RJ is a snarky, unapologetic, almost unredeemable, very real girl. Her story is funny and moving, and teens will easily connect with her plight. Prepare to meet the Grim Reaper, who's cuter than you'd expect; Hawaiian shirtwearing Death Himself; Saint Peter (who likes to play Cornhole); and Al, the handler for the three-headed hound that guards the gates of Hell. This cast of characters accompanies RJ through her time in the afterlife and will do their best to gently shove her in the right direction.

Reviews

"Fun, funny, and full of life." Kirkus

"Schmitt's smart, funny novel will keep readers entertained as they follow R.J. on her redemptive path from 'self-absorbed princess' to someone more capable of kindness, while perhaps contemplating their own actions and choices. R.J.'s sarcastic sense of humor sharply counterbalances touching moments as she learns how to live more generously." Publishers Weekly

"Told in RJs snarky voice, this delightful debut encompasses elements of A Christmas Carol, Its a Wonderful Life, and Gayle Foremans If I Stay (2009), while still being unique. . . . The message of standing up to oppositionwhether for yourself or for othersis an important life lesson that readers learn alongside RJ. Her story compellingly demonstrates that significance comes from the quality (not quantity) of ones life." Booklist

"Full of snark and morality, RJ is a teen girl that many readers will relate to and enjoy getting to know. It is a story of the ultimate takedown of a popular mean girl, but it is then incredibly encouraging. Readers will love RJs sarcasm and will laugh out loud at some of the depictions of the afterworld. (Who knew Death Himself would be kind of cute) A book that could have easily become preachy gives just the right amount of redemption. Even though most readers will be dissatisfied with the ending, it is a great addition to any library serving teens." VOYA

"A snarky joyride of a book with a deep moral core; long after you've finished laughing, you'll still be thinking about RJ's journey and perhaps asking yourself: What defines a life well lived" Mike Mullin, author of the Ashfall trilogy

"A great mix of mirth, myth and metaphysics." Daniel Waters, author of Generation Dead

"Just the kind of story I lovefull of snark, heart, and contemplation about the meaning of life! It's a Wonderful Death will get you thinking about what you want to leave behind and how you want to live until then." Kristen Lippert-Martin, author of Tabula Rasa

"A wonderful gem. Both snarky and uplifting, it sneaks inside you and makes you smile and cry at the same time." Sarah Beth Durst, author of Vessel and Drink, Slay, Love

"Smart, sassy, and humorously original with clever world-building and a host of interesting characters, It's a Wonderful Death will have you laughing out loud and rooting for RJ from the first page!" Amalie Howard, best-selling author of Bloodspell and Alpha Goddess

"RJ's witty narrative had me both laughing out loud and weeping into the pages. It's a Wonderful Death is a delightful read that questions the butterfly effect of choices made...and unmade." Danielle L. Jensen, author of Stolen Songbird

You know a storys going to be good when Death shows up as a surfer! I loved every bit of this funny and heartwarming tale of second chances. Lisa Maxwell, author of Sweet Unrest

"For everyone whos wished for a do-over, for the chance to take back a mean word or an unkind deed, youll be rooting for sassy RJ to succeed in this satisfying tale of redemption." Yvonne Ventresca, award-winning author of Pandemic
"Fun, funny, and full of life." Kirkus

"Schmitt's smart, funny novel will keep readers entertained as they follow R.J. on her redemptive path from 'self-absorbed princess' to someone more capable of kindness, while perhaps contemplating their own actions and choices. R.J.'s sarcastic sense of humor sharply counterbalances touching moments as she learns how to live more generously." Publishers Weekly

"Told in RJs snarky voice, this delightful debut encompasses elements of A Christmas Carol, Its a Wonderful Life, and Gayle Foremans If I Stay (2009), while still being unique. . . . The message of standing up to oppositionwhether for yourself or for othersis an important life lesson that readers learn alongside RJ. Her story compellingly demonstrates that significance comes from the quality (not quantity) of ones life." Booklist

"Full of snark and morality, RJ is a teen girl that many readers will relate to and enjoy getting to know. It is a story of the ultimate takedown of a popular mean girl, but it is then incredibly encouraging. Readers will love RJs sarcasm and will laugh out loud at some of the depictions of the afterworld. (Who knew Death Himself would be kind of cute) A book that could have easily become preachy gives just the right amount of redemption. Even though most readers will be dissatisfied with the ending, it is a great addition to any library serving teens." VOYA

"A snarky joyride of a book with a deep moral core; long after you've finished laughing, you'll still be thinking about RJ's journey and perhaps asking yourself: What defines a life well lived" Mike Mullin, author of the Ashfall trilogy

"A great mix of mirth, myth and metaphysics." Daniel Waters, author of Generation Dead

"Just the kind of story I lovefull of snark, heart, and contemplation about the meaning of life! It's a Wonderful Death will get you thinking about what you want to leave behind and how you want to live until then." Kristen Lippert-Martin, author of Tabula Rasa

"A wonderful gem. Both snarky and uplifting, it sneaks inside you and makes you smile and cry at the same time." Sarah Beth Durst, author of Vessel and Drink, Slay, Love

"Smart, sassy, and humorously original with clever world-building and a host of interesting characters, It's a Wonderful Death will have you laughing out loud and rooting for RJ from the first page!" Amalie Howard, best-selling author of Bloodspell and Alpha Goddess

"RJ's witty narrative had me both laughing out loud and weeping into the pages. It's a Wonderful Death is a delightful read that questions the butterfly effect of choices made...and unmade." Danielle L. Jensen, author of Stolen Songbird

You know a storys going to be good when Death shows up as a surfer! I loved every bit of this funny and heartwarming tale of second chances. Lisa Maxwell, author of Sweet Unrest

"For everyone whos wished for a do-over, for the chance to take back a mean word or an unkind deed, youll be rooting for sassy RJ to succeed in this satisfying tale of redemption." Yvonne Ventresca, award-winning author of Pandemic

Author Bio

Sarah J. Schmitt is a former K-8 school librarian and youth service professional for teens at a public library who enjoys opening up the world of books to reluctant readers. She ran a teen writing program that combines Skype visits from well-known authors and screenwriters and group-style feedback. She earned her masters of science in higher education administration and student affairs from Indiana University. She is an active member of SCBWI, ALA, and the Indiana Library Federation and is a regular participant at the Midwest Writer's Workshop. Sarah lives outside of Indianapolis with her husband, two kidlets and a cat who might actually be a secret agent.