Special Sub-Topic: The Characters of "Change of Heart" Click Here To Play: The Characters of "Change of Heart"

What was the name of the character that was dying of a heart condition?

Claire Nealon. Claire Nealon was June and Kurt's daughter. For the majority of the book she was eleven. She had had a heart condition for most of her life. Her father and older half-sister, Elizabeth, were killed. In the end of the book she received a heart from Shay. The heart just happened to be a perfect match for her.

Which of these characters wanted to donate his heart after he died?

Shay Bourne. Shay Bourne was on death row for killing Kurt and Elizabeth Nealon. While in prison he performs events that some people believe are miracles, such as curing an AIDS patient and bringing a bird back to life. People began to think that he was the Messiah. He decided that he wanted to donate his heart to Claire Nealon. He won his trial, was killed by hanging, and was able to give Claire his heart.

What was the name of Shay's lawyer?

Maggie Bloom. Maggie Bloom was an ACLU lawyer. She was overweight and did not think that she was pretty in any way. She had a pet rabbit named Oliver. Her dad was a rabbi, but she considered herself an atheist.

Which of these characters was a priest?

Michael Wright. Michael Wright was on the jury that sent Shay to jail and made him a death row prisoner. Soon after condemning Shay to death, he became a priest. He also happened to become Shay's spiritual adviser.

Which of these characters was in prison for killing his boyfriend?

Lucius DuFresne. Lucius DuFresne lived in the cell next to Shay at the prison. He was an artist. He killed his boyfriend, Adam, when he found out that he was cheating on him. He had had AIDS for a while and was dying. It was believed that Shay cured his AIDS. At the end of the book, he died of AIDS-related pneumonia.

What was the first name of Elizabeth and Claire's mom?

June. June Nealon was the wife of Kurt and mother of Elizabeth and Claire. She fights to help keep Claire alive with her heart condition. She has been married twice.

What was the name of the doctor that was present at Shay's execution?

Christian Gallagher. Christian Gallagher was a doctor at the local hospital. He answered questions for Maggie Bloom. He also testified at Shay's trial to donate his heart. He and Maggie started to date.

What was the name of the girl Shay Bourne was accused of murdering?

Elizabeth Nealon. Elizabeth Nealon was seven when she was killed on accident by Shay Bourne. When Shay and Kurt were struggling over the gun, it went off and hit Elizabeth. She and Kurt were buried together.

What was the name of the prison's nurse?

Alma. Alma was a African American. She gave the prisoners their medicine if they need it. She was nice to Shay and Lucius.

Which of these characters was a police officer?

Kurt Nealon. Kurt Nealon first met June when he told her that her husband had died in a car crash. Eventually, they fell in love and got married. He and his step-daughter, Elizabeth, died. Towards the end of the book, it was revealed that he had been sexually abusing Elizabeth.