THE WONDER OF ALL THINGS
On the heels of his critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling debut novel, The Returned, Jason Mott delivers a spellbinding tale of love and sacrifice.
On an ordinary day, at an air show like that in any small town across the country, a plane crashes into a crowd of spectators. After the dust clears, a thirteen-year-old girl named Ava is found huddled beneath a pocket of rubble with her best friend, Wash. He is injured and bleeding, and when Ava places her hands over him, his wounds disappear.
Ava has an unusual gift: she can heal others of their physical ailments.
On the heels of his critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling debut novel, The Returned, Jason Mott delivers a spellbinding tale of love and sacrifice.
On an ordinary day, at an air show like that in any small town across the country, a plane crashes into a crowd of spectators. After the dust clears, a thirteen-year-old girl named Ava is found huddled beneath a pocket of rubble with her best friend, Wash. He is injured and bleeding, and when Ava places her hands over him, his wounds disappear.
Ava has an unusual gift: she can heal others of their physical ailments. Until the air show tragedy, her gift was a secret. Now the whole world knows, and suddenly people from all over the globe begin flocking to her small town, looking for healing and eager to catch a glimpse of The Miracle Child. But Ava's unique ability comes at a great cost, and as she grows weaker with each healing, she soon finds herself having to decide just how much she’s willing to give up in order to save the ones she loves most.
Elegantly written, deeply intimate and emotionally astute, The Wonder of All Things is an unforgettable story and a poignant reminder of life's extraordinary gifts.
- Harlequin MIRA
- Hardcover
- October 2014
- 304 Pages
- 9780778316527
Buy the Book
$24.95
About Jason Mott
Jason Mott is the critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author of The Returned, which was adapted for a network television drama series. A Pushcart Prize nominee, Jason was named by Entertainment Weekly as a writer poised to break big. He holds a BA in fiction and an MFA in poetry and is the author of two poetry collections. He currently lives in North Carolina.
Check here for Jason's upcoming author events throughout the country!
Praise
“Spellbinding.”
—People
“Lyrically written, thought-provoking and emotionally searing…. Another fascinating and powerful reflection from Mott on how the real world reacts when the impossible happens.”
—Kirkus
“Equal parts supernatural thriller and coming-of-age tale…. [Readers] will be captivated by this poignant story of loss and love—and rewarded with a rich cast of characters.”
—Bookpage
Discussion Questions
Many characters in the novel feel that Ava has a responsibility to heal others, regardless of the costs to her own well-being. Do you agree or disagree? To what extent do we have a responsibility to help others—both strangers as well as those we love?
Did you find Reverend Isaiah Brown to be a sympathetic character or a villain, or a little of both? Why?
Heather’s motive for committing suicide is ambiguous. Why do you think she took her own life? Do you think she’s a bad mother for doing so? Why or why not?
Ava and Wash have a special kinship that runs much deeper than the average childhood friendship. Why do you think they have such a powerful connection and how does this bond inform the ending of the novel?
Wash’s grandmother withholds crucial information from Wash, in the interest of protecting his childhood. Do you feel she is justified in doing so? Why or why not? How would you handle a similar situation in your own life?
Discuss the significance of the title, “The Wonder of All Things.”
Many in the novel feel that Ava has a responsibility to heal others, regardless of the costs to herself. Do you agree or disagree? To what extent do we have a responsibility to help others—both strangers as well as those we love?
Did you find Reverend Isaiah Brown to be a sympathetic character or a villain? Why?
Heather’s motive for committing suicide is ambiguous. Why do you think she took her own life? Do you think she’s a bad mother for doing so? Why or why not?