You are worth it Building a life worth fighting for

Carpenter was a U.S. Marine stationed in Afghanistan in 2010 when he covered a live grenade with his body to shield a fellow soldier from the blast. Astonishingly, the 21-year-old hero survived the explosion but suffered multiple serious injuries, including loss of his right eye, burns, a skull fracture, and a broken arm. He recalls the confusion and panic when he realized part of his face was gone: the only thing I could feel was my tongue searching for my lower jaw no cheeks, no teeth, no jaw. His memoir describes growing up, wartime experiences, treatment of his injuries, recovery, and lessons learned. Resilience and integrity figure prominently in his story. So too do grief, pain, and survivor's guilt. Medical personnel performed a miracle "" on Carpenter's damaged body. He underwent more than two-dozen surgeries, spent about three months in hospitals, and required a feeding tube for nearly one month. He has gone on to graduate from college, run a marathon, and ultimately receive the Medal of Honor from President Obama. Carpenter encourages everyone to ""Be part of someone else's miracle.""--Tony Miksanek Copyright 2010 Booklist