New Pre-teen Novels

Ways to Live Forever, by Sally Nicholls

Ages: 10-13

Sam McQueen is an 11 year old boy who is living through the last stages of leukemia. When his teacher request that he write something about himself as an assignment, Sam begins writing about the questions that nobody ever answers, and sets about finding those answers. The first one is: "How do you know that you've died?" He writes lists of facts, and a wish list of things he wants to do before he dies. His friend Felix encourages him to really try to do all those things, and a good part of the story is about the two friends trying to accomplish everything on Sam's list. The other part is the story of Sam and his family, and how they are coping with his cancer.

This is a book that is both funny and VERY sad. It isn't schmaltzy or overly dramatic. It feels like it is really from the point of view of an 11 year old, who both his illness and yet, finds it all dreadfully unfair. I felt great joy every time Sam accomplished something on his list, and I laughed at his misadventures with Felix. I also cried... a lot. I feel that a pre-teen audience would do better with this book than any parent. So, I recommend this book to anyone under 13, but would warn parents to stay away from this one at the risk of spending an entire night awake with swollen red eyes.