A friend of Samantha’s recommended a bunch of books for her to read. She wasn’t sure about The Fault in
Our Stars (http://www.amazon.com/The-Fault-Stars-John-Green/dp/0525478817/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345999839&sr=8-1&keywords=the+fault+in+our+stars) since he mentioned that it had to do with cancer. I told her I would read it first and then tell her if I thought she should read it. It was a quick read and well written, I thought. Cancer is the prominent theme, and I was struck by how well the author conveyed the emotions that permeate your life when cancer is a part of it. He did a great job expressing the uncertainty and fear that a run of the mill twinge or pain might not be run of the mill. He accurately described how each scan can make you catch your breath and send your heart racing 100 miles an hour. He painted a grim portrait of an end of life scenario which I hope to never experience. It reads like young adult literature and is a quick read. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. I have no idea if my 17 year old should read it.
xoxo
Robyn
embracingtherollercoaster 
Hmmm… the lender of that book and I have had a short chat and we both think that perhaps you should give it back instead of passing it to other family members…. Just for now. You’re welcome to borrow it back any time, though.
thanks, valerie for figuring this out for me. i wasn’t sure if she should read it, and it helps to know that you and ben think no.
Good Call…maybe at another time but maybe never!
I read that book and couldn’t stop crying for days. I lost my mother to colon cancer when I was 12 so to read a story about cancer from a teen’s perspective hit hard. As hard as it is to read I think it is an important book for teens AND adults to read, if for nothing else to understand a little more about those that live with cancer.