In Gayle Forman’s young adult fiction novel “If I Stay,” a gifted teenage cellist, Mia Hall, and her family are caught in a horrific car accident on the wintry streets of Portland, Ore. The accident kills her parents instantly, injures her younger brother and leaves Mia in a coma.

Even though she is in grave condition, lying battered and unconscious in a hospital bed, Mia’s soul is fully aware of everything around her, including her own condition. Her consciousness can move around the hospital as she pleases, but she cannot interact with any humans, and they are unaware of her presence. In her comatose, yet supernatural, state, Mia faces a major decision: does she live as an injured orphan or leave all of her living friends and family behind? If she decides to live, she will also have to choose whether to go to Juilliard and fulfill her own musical dreams or stay with her rising punk rock star boyfriend, Adam.

Forman’s prose excels in conveying Mia’s thoughts and emotions, making it easy for readers to empathize with the protagonist’s struggles. The author creates scenes involving death and grief in an exceptionally poignant manner. Readers will also love the other characters, especially Mia’s immediate family and friends. The book explores choice, sacrifice, love and the resilience of the human spirit. Mia’s story lingers long after the final words are read.

Even though the novel is beautifully written and compelling,it is far from flawless. While most scenes are well-written, some “romantic” scenes have a vaguely melodramatic feeling, and not all of the dialogue and actions seem sincere. Mia’s life comes across as almost too perfect, making her a less relatable character.

The ending was probably the least satisfying part of the book. Predictably, the falling action includes Mia listening to influential people in her life and deciding whether to live or die. But, when it is clear that Mia has made her choice, the novel ends abruptly. The author’s intent may be to write these details in the sequel or have readers imagine them, but the book still feels unfinished.

In the standard “1-5 star” book rating system, I would give “If I Stay” 4.5 stars. Teenagers who struggle through high school, care about music, or have experienced loss or injury will be especially interested in “If I Stay.” With unique characters and beautiful prose, this novel deserves its immense popularity.