Keep Holding On Summary & Key Insights

Susane Colasanti's "Keep Holding On" is a young adult novel exploring the complexities of grief, resilience, and finding hope amidst devastating loss. The story centers around Mara, a seventeen-year-old grappling with the sudden death of her older brother, Leo, in a car accident. Leo's death shatters Mara's world, leaving her feeling lost, isolated, and profoundly angry at a life that seems irrevocably unfair.

Mara’s narrative unfolds in a series of journal entries, offering intimate access to her raw emotions and the turbulent grieving process. She’s deeply affected by Leo’s absence, struggling to understand why he's gone and how to navigate a future without him. Her once close relationship with her parents feels strained as they cope with their own grief in different ways. Her father retreats into silence, while her mother tries to maintain a fragile sense of normalcy, ultimately failing to understand the depth of Mara's pain.

Adding to Mara's struggles is her complex relationship with her best friend, and a longtime crush, Ethan. While their friendship initially offers comfort, Ethan's attempts to "fix" Mara only heighten her frustration. He represents a normalcy she feels unable to access, highlighting her isolation in her grief. Their interactions oscillate between support and painful misunderstandings, mirroring the tumultuous nature of Mara's emotional state.

Throughout the book, Mara undertakes a journey of self-discovery fueled by her memories of Leo and the remnants of their shared experiences. She finds solace in unexpected places—a grief support group, a new friendship with a fellow grieving teen named Sarah, and a rediscovery of her passion for photography. These connections, albeit challenging, provide her with the necessary support to slowly begin to heal and process her loss.

The overarching theme is the exploration of different ways individuals cope with grief and loss. The novel highlights the lack of a linear or "correct" way to grieve, emphasizing the unique and often messy emotional journey involved. Mara's journey underscores the importance of allowing oneself to feel the full spectrum of emotions—anger, sadness, guilt, and ultimately, acceptance. The novel subtly argues that holding on to memories and celebrating the life of the deceased, while simultaneously moving forward, is a vital part of the healing process. It’s about finding a way to keep holding on, even when the weight of grief feels unbearable. By the end, Mara hasn't entirely overcome her grief, but she has found a path towards a future where Leo's memory remains a source of both sorrow and enduring love.