If I Stay Friendship

People form lifelong friendships during childhood, so it's no surprise that young adult novels often feature iconic pairs of BFFs. Harry and Ron. Tom and Huck. Bella and… Okay, Bella didn't really have any friends.

If I Stay's Mia and Kim aren't going to be joining the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but they are good friends, even if Mia sometimes veers into Bella's territory of choosing her man above anything else. Kim gives Mia something else to live for. At least that's what Kim tells herself.

Questions About Friendship

1. Why do Mia and Kim hate each other when they first meet? What prompts them to do a 180 and become friends?
2. Why is it so important to Mia that Kim like Adam, and vice-versa?
3. How does Dad's friendship with Henry mirror Mia's friendship with Kim? How are these friendships different?

Chew on This

Kim is an important foil for Mia. She is spiritual, while Mia isn't. She puts Mia's relationship with Adam in perspective. She enables Mia to make informed decisions.

Mia doesn't place as high a value on her friendship with Kim as she does her relationship with Adam. She never wonders about Kim's post-high-school plans, so Mia will likely go off on her own path without considering Kim at all.