If You Like ... The Fault in Our Stars

Reclusive Bilbiophile's "If You Like" theme for the week is: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. That was an AMAZING book. If you missed my review, it's here.

When I saw that this book was the topic for this week's "If You Like," all I could think about was what Hazel, one of the main characters in The Fault in Our Stars, said. Here are her exact words:

"Cancer books suck. Like, in cancer books, the cancer person starts a charity that raises money to fight cancer, right? And this commitment to charity reminds the cancer person of the essential goodness of humanity and makes him/her feel loved because s/he will leave a cancer curing legacy."

Hazel's a pretty tough chick. But here are my recommendations of three great books about kids facing life-threatening illnesses. I think even Hazel would agree that they don't suck!


The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner
Nick's friend Scooter is dying of a freak disease. His Dad, who's very overweight, has left on a cross-country walk across America. After Scooter dies, Nick and his friend Jaycee go on a road trip to return a first edition copy of Of Mice and Men to Scooter's father, who hasn't been heard from in years. This book isn't the least bit sappy or sentimental. I think Hazel would approve.

Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork
I think I've discussed my love for Marcelo in the Real World on the blog. Death Warriors is the second book by author Francisco X. Stork. Pancho, a ward of the state after his sister's unexpected death, is sent to St. Anthony's Home in Las Cruces. There he meets DQ, who has brain cancer. DQ wants Pancho to accompany him to Albequerque, where he's scheduled to participate in an experimental treatment. Pancho also wants to find the person responsible for his sister's death.  An original and moving book about coming to terms with tragedy and misfortune.

Before I Die by Jenny Downham
Jenny Downham has the ability to take topics that, handled by a less skilled writer, could come off as very movie-of-the-week. Sixteen year-old Tessa has had leukemia for four years. Now with just months to live, she makes a "Before I Die" list. Tessa isn't the noble cancer patient in the sucky books that Hazel hates. She can be angry and bitter. Some of the things on her list are funny and outrageous: have sex, do drugs, break the law. I think Tessa and Hazel would get along just fine.

This can be a tough kind of book to read -- do you have any favorites?