Jodi Picoult
Published 2004
432 pages
Rating: B+
Synopsis
Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate — a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister — and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.
My review
So, I'm going to make this a small review because I'm pretty sure a lot of people know what this book is about. Kate was diagnosed with leukemia when she was two, and that is why Anna was created. To be a donor for Kate. For her entire life, Anna has had surgeries for her sister. But what if she's tired of being a donor? What if she wants to live a normal life? When Anna hires a lawyer to be medically emancipated from her parents, she will no longer have to be a donor for Kate. But without a new kidney, Kate will die.... and her mom isn't going to let that happen.
Okay so I wasn't sure if I would like this book because usually I like action, romance and supernatural books. But I really liked this book! I was hooked from the first chapter. I thought the whole idea of the book was great and it teaches people to value family. This book made me laugh quite a few times but it definitely made me cry too. I also liked how each chapter of the book changed to a different character's perspective. I found myself really liking Brian, Jesse and Julia's perspectives of the story for some reason. Okay let's talk about romance because there was some romance in the book. I absolutely loved the Campbell/Julia relationship and was dying to know what actually happened between the two. I loved how alcohol and drugs were also involved in the story along with cancer. A few good twists and turns in the book too.
Now moving on to things I didn't like about the book. Sara Fitzgerald, (Anna, Kate and Jesse's mom) in my opinion, did not seem to care about Anna or Jesse. All she ever cared/talked about was Kate, Kate and more KATE! I was thinking to myself "You have other children to worry about too, you know!" I mean I understand that Kate is sick but Sara rarely paid attention to Anna and Jesse unless it involved Kate. I'm not sure if this drove anybody else crazy but it did with me. And also, the book confused me at times.
Enough of me babbling. To finish, I recommend this book to pretty much anyone. Everyone and anyone who loves a good, cute and sad read then this is the book for you.
-Marisa
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