The Fault in Our Stars

Green, J. (2012). The Fault In Our Stars. NY: Dutton Books.
YA Fiction / Realistic Fiction

Wow.  This was a phenomenal book with characters so real and familiar that I was immediately drawn into them and the story.  It felt like I was a fly on the wall and experiencing everything that was happening. I laughed, I cried, I got angry, I felt smitten, I grieved. Oh, did I grieve. . .

I didn't know anything about this book (this SIGNED COPY I own, yes indeedy, thanks TLA 2012), but it had come highly recommended by everyone who read it, young and old, so I decided to dig-in and read my SIGNED COPY (did I mention that already??)

Having just read A Monster Calls, (which I also didn't know anything about when I started it) I didn't realize I was again taking on a heavy-duty story about the agony of cancer, or I probably would have given it a breather. Having said that, this story isn't really about the disease but about the bonds and relationships that are formed and lost because of the disease.  The perspectives are different than you would expect, and the story has so much to offer the readers.  In the middle of all the drama of disease and remission and recurrence, there is also a story of every teen in Augustus and Hazel.  They are going through the growing pains of becoming young adults, of becoming independent from their parents, of becoming themselves and not who others think they may be.  At times they are incredibly mature, and other times they are just regular teens, struggling with reality.

The undercurrent story of Hazel's (and subsequently Augustus's) fascination with a book written by a reclusive author adds an extra element of interest -- and yet another perspective on the ways in which cancer impacts lives.

Watch the Penguin book trailer here:

A Monster Calls

Ness, P. (2011). A Monster Calls. Somerville, Mass: Candlewick Press.
YA Fiction / Paranormal
Awards: Galaxy British Book Awards for Children's Book of the Year (2011), Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Young Adult Literature (2011), Red House Children's Book Award (2012), ALA Teens' Top Ten Nominee (2012), Carnegie Medal, Kate Greenaway Medal

WOW. Did I say WOW already?  Two times is not enough. I didn't really know what I was getting into when I decided to read this (on my iPad, by the way. I am becoming so techy).  I knew it had won lots of awards and had many recommendations, but that was about it.

This story was very powerful and so well written that I pretty much read it in one sitting.  I was absolutely drawn-in to thirteen-year-old Conor's life; he is dealing with divorce, dying, bullying, isolation, fear, anxiety, and so much more, but he deals with it.  He is a reminder of what kids can deal with when they have to, and how strong and also fragile they are when they are so burdened.  I am not a bit embarrassed to say that I had myself a good cry at the end. I cried for loss and for love and for letting go and who knows what else. Heart-breaking, but definitely worth the tears to read a book so well-done.

At times, this book reminded me of another favorite, the graphic novel, The Savage, where a boy has to deal with many of the same issues.  Ness apparently wrote the book for another author, Siobhan Dowd, who created the premise but then died at a young age before being able to pen the story.  Ness did an amazing job, and accompanying the text are some awesome, dark and creepy illustrations by Jim Kay that are the icing on this very inventive story.


Here is the trailer released by Candlewick Press -- enjoy, and read this book!