49 pages • 1 hour read
Matt de la PeñaI Will Save You
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2010A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
I Will Save You by Matt de la Peña follows Kidd, a resident of a halfway house for troubled youths who spends the summer at a beach resort in California. There, Kidd becomes involved in a love triangle with his new girlfriend Olivia and his erratic former best friend Devon, leading to a conflict that makes Kidd confront his past and his mental health challenges related to depression and PTSD. The novel deals with themes of depression, violence, and trauma.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
<I Will Save You> by Matt de la Peña has garnered praise for its compelling, emotionally charged narrative and complex character development. Readers appreciated the authentic portrayal of teen struggles and the engaging writing style. Some critics noted that the story's pacing could be uneven, and a few found the plot twists predictable. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read I Will Save You?
Ideal for readers aged 12-17 who enjoy gripping, contemporary YA fiction that explores themes of mental health, trauma, and redemption. Fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and Looking for Alaska by John Green would particularly connect with this emotionally intense narrative.
RecommendedReading Age
12-18yearsLexile Level
770L