FICTION

Cellular

by Ellen SCHWARTZ
978-1-55469-297-2.
COPY ISBN
Gr 9 Up—People are diagnosed with leukemia every day, but Brendan Halleran, 17, never thought it would happen to him. At first, he felt as if he had the flu, but then things started to get worse: bruises, weight loss, etc. Now, he has to have intense chemotherapy and just feels like giving up. He meets Lark, 16, in the hospital—she's there for a "last chance" bone-marrow transplant. Lark teaches Brendan how to live in spite of his diagnosis. Schwartz packs a lot of intensity into this slim novel, touching on the reality of what having cancer is like for teens, physically and emotionally.—Sherry Rampey, Independent Youth Services Library Consultant, Gaston, SC
Brendan is popular and respected--he's generally fortunate in life until he is devastatingly diagnosed with leukemia. In treatment he meets Lark, a fellow patient who not only understands him but also teaches him to love life in the direst of times. One goes into remission while things turn tragic for the other--an ending that readers will unfortunately see coming from a mile away.
Reviewed by Sherry Rampey , Apr 01, 2011

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BOOKS

Telephone of the Tree
by McGhee, Alison
BOOKS

From the Farm, to Our Table
by Rowe, Sarah
BOOKS

The Great Gatsby
by Fitzgerald, F. Scott
BOOKS

Clovis Suspects a Sneak
by Aronson, Katelyn
BOOKS

Of Mice and Men
by Steinbeck, John
BOOKS

Prunella
by Ferry, Beth
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?