"A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

A Heart in a Body in the World (Sept. 18, 2018) by Deb Caletti.

Can one run away from trauma, from PTSD? No, but Annabelle Agnelli is going to run cross-country across the U.S. It begins on a whim, but she makes the over 2,700-mile run from Seattle to Washington, D.C. She runs through tunnels in mountain passes and passes through specks-of-towns, suburban areas and major cities. She traverses busy highways and lonely roads surrounded by miles and miles of grain fields. Grandpa Ed (nickname: Capitano) is with her across the country, ready with exclamations in Italian and Italian food. She’s supported by her mom, Gina, and younger brother, Malcolm (logistics) and her best friends Olivia (publicity) and Zach (finances). Annabelle and Grandpa Ed meet Dawn Celeste and her grandson, Luke Messenger, from Portland, OR, and they pop up along the journey, too. And surely, Kat Klein and Will MacEvans would be two of her biggest cheerleaders. As if that isn’t enough, she gains the support of thousands thanks to social media. But all of the support is overwhelming, exacerbated by the guilt and shame that Annabelle carries. It’s The Taker who is at fault. She might’ve/could’ve/should’ve done things differently, but there isn’t an undo button for the past. The Taker is the one who took what he shouldn’t have. Things really aren’t Annabelle’s fault, but she can’t believe the truth of that. Will she be able to complete the journey without falling to shambles? Will her run be cathartic? When will she realize that most everyone has felt some form of grief, confusion and powerlessness, that she isn’t the only one?

            Through much of the story, Annabelle, who turns 18 on her run, is very broken. Her journey isn’t only physical, but psychological. Although this story was published in 2018, the theme of violence is, unfortunately, exceedingly current. The story also confronts readers with a character (The Taker) who exults in toxic masculinity. It is a complex story, and it’s sometimes difficult to read, but the story is all the more remarkable for it. The grief is deep and the rage is intense, but hope uplifts and wisdom sustains this ferocious YA novel. Caletti’s prose doesn’t seem overdone, and she maps out her story well with vivid descriptions of Annabelle’s landscapes as she pounds the pavement and the flashbacks that eventually lead to the harrowing tragedy. Although a work of fiction, this tale feels so authentic. It’s got a lot of heart.