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Ice

A Novel for Ages 12-16

Jenna Clooney has suffered a tragic loss: seven months ago, her sister Frannie died in a car accident. Seth Sumner, too, has suffered a loss: Frannie was his girlfriend. This shared tragedy might seem an event that would forge a bond between the two high school seniors, but it has driven them far apart instead. The reason is that Seth, driving too fast on a winter night, is responsible for causing the accident that took Frannie's life. Now he struggles with fierce guilt at the same time that Jenna struggles with fierce anger. These former best friends are now the worst of enemies.

Seth struggles with a heavy burden of sadness and grief. How can he compensate for an action which, though accidental, had such horrible consequences? Or, as Seth asks at one point, "How good do I have to be to undo what I've done that's bad?" He doesn't know. In his effort to make sense of the situation, however, Seth joins a volunteer ambulance squad and goes on duty two nights a week as an emergency medical technician (EMT). His hope: that somehow he can make up for the tragic mistake he's made.

Meanwhile, Jenna undertakes her own quest by following Seth, observing him, and trying to make sense of his actions. Her goal is to understand how such a good person could have done such a terrible deed. Ultimately this quest prompts her to become an EMT like Seth, which allows her to pursue him into the local first aid squad—his refuge. In doing so, Jenna sets up both teenagers for a collision of wills that will either further damage their lives—or else lead to the forgiveness and reconciliation that both of them crave but that neither has been able to attain.