M+O 4EVR
by Tonya Cherie Hegamin

    M+O 4EVR by Tonya Cherie Hegamin
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  4/29/08
    Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin
    Reviewed by:  Jaglvr
    Rating:  4 Stars


    Marianne and Opal have always had a special connection. Home schooled for a time, when they were separated their
    first day in a real school, neither girl was the same. They screamed and only relaxed when they were together in the
    same room holding hands. As they grew up, there was always the unique bond. But Marianne often wanted to test her
    wings and try to fit in with the popular crowd. She tried to join the cheerleading team. And she made up her mind to
    go for the Homecoming crown.

    Opal was happy with the way things were, and would've been perfectly content had her world consisted of only her
    and Marianne. But one night, the entire world changed. The two girls ventured out towards the ravine where they had
    their own world. Marianne brought drugs with her and proceeded to get high. Opal, wanting nothing to do with the
    drugs, and having obligations back home with her grandma, left Marianne at the ravine.

    The next morning, Opal is awakened by her grandma. Marianne was dead. Found at the bottom of the ravine.
    Hearing the news, Opal is in shock. And it brings back the ghost stories of Hannah that the girls were told growing up.

    M+O 4EVR tells the story of Opal getting past her grief. Opal remembers bits and pieces of her life with Marianne.
    As she recalls their history, a second story of the ghost, Hannah, is revealed. Hannah was a young slave girl that
    attempts to escape the horrible life that awaits her as she grows out of her young years.

    M+O 4EVR is not an easy story to read. The grief and sadness is evident throughout the entire story. But even with
    the bleak outlook Opal has, there is a hint of hope throughout. Reading about Hannah's dream of a better life as well
    as Opal's struggles to decide upon a future leaves the reader feeling stronger by the end.