Digital Book Club Kit

I Will Save You

By Matt De La Pena

Reading Level

Lexile: 770

Length

320 pages

Representation

The main character of I Will Save You is a homeless Mexican American teenager suffering from mental health issues. He is portrayed as a complex individual, as is his love interest, a wealthy, white girl. 

Appropriate Content

I Will Save You deals with mental illness and domestic abuse. Neither the publisher (Penguin Random House), nor Common Sense Media provides an age recommendation for this book. 

Engagement

I Will Save You begins with a literal cliffhanger and moves quickly with plenty of plot twists. Some readers may have trouble with the fact that the story is not told in a linear format. It might be helpful for these readers to have a timeline of the events in the book that they can fill in and refer back to as they read (see below). You can read an excerpt from the book on the publisher's website.

Substance

I Will Save You is a complex and thoughtful book. It touches on issues of mental illness and trauma and the ways that people can care for each other.

Summary

Summary provided by the author:

Kidd is running from his past and his future. No mom, no dad, and there’s nothing for him at the group home but therapy. He doesn’t belong at the beach where he works either, unless he finds a reason to stay.

Olivia is blond hair, blue eyes, rich dad. The prettiest girl in Cardiff. She’s hiding something from Kidd—but could they ever be together anyway?

Devon is mean, mysterious, and driven by a death wish. A best friend and worst enemy. He followed Kidd all the way to the beach and he’s not leaving until he teaches him a few lessons about life. And Olivia.

I Will Save You: Book Club Agenda

I Will Save You: Promotional Poster

I Will Save You: Timeline

I Will Save You: Discussion Questions