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Description
When her older sister is diagnosed with leukemia, twelve-year-old Lily must navigate the difficult emotions and challenges that come with watching a sibling face a serious illness. As she copes with fear, grief, and the changing dynamics of her family, Lily discovers inner strength she didn't know she had. This middle grade novel explores themes of loss, resilience, and the complicated love between sisters.
Quick Summary
If your family has ever faced the scary reality of serious illness, this is the book that actually gets it. Murphy tells the whole story through Lily's eyes, so you feel like you're right there with her worrying, hoping, and sometimes just trying to act normal when everything feels upside down. It's not all sad, though; there are moments of real humor and warmth that make the characters feel like actual people you might know. The book is pretty short for the age range, which makes it a good choice if you or your kid tends to shy away from heavy topics in novels but is ready to explore them with some support. Parents should know it's a honest look at what it's like to watch a sibling go through treatment, and it might bring up questions or feelings that are worth talking about together afterward. If you've ever read Bridge to Terabithia, this has that same emotional punch but focuses on the sibling perspective instead. It's a quiet, powerful story that sticks with you.