Overview

A teen grapples with ALS and his decision to die in this ""deeply moving"" (Booklist, starred review) debut novel infused with the haunting grace of Japanese poetry and the noble importance of friendship. Sora is going to die, and he's only seventeen years old. Diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), he's already lost the use of his legs, which means he can no longer attend school. Seeking a sense of normality, Sora visits teen chat rooms online and finally finds what he's been longing for: friendship without pity. As much as he loves his new friends, he can't ignore what's ahead. He's beginning to lose the function of his hands, and soon he'll become even more of a burden to his mother. Inspired by the death poems of the legendary Japanese warriors known as samurai, Sora makes the decision to leave life on his own terms. And he needs his friends to help him.

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9781481430661

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Reviews

*An exquisite debut YA novel that serves as a guide to living a meaningful life, and the importance of family, friendship and self-knowledge.-- ""Shelf Awareness, starred review"" *Benwell's deeply moving story is visceral...and psychologically acute in its portrayal of a dying teen and his loyal friends. Its shattering ending is sure to engender discussion among readers.-- ""Booklist, starred review"" *Benwell's story is remarkably unsentimental, and her setting--contemporary urban Japan--adds a unique appeal...[T]he haiku Sora reads, and writes, are a perfect symbol for his life: brief in length but full of strength and subtlety.-- ""Horn Book, starred review"" *It's a memorable and haunting story of a boy's determination to seize control of the limited time he has left.-- ""Publishers Weekly, starred review"" *This is more a tale of friendship than of romance and one of living life to the fullest for as long as possible...this thought-provoking read offers teens a different perspective on living and loving life.-- ""School Library Journal, starred review"" Benwell's gentle treatment of friendship and death with dignity will touch fans of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars.-- ""Kirkus""

I've just finished your book and thought it was AMAZING!: ) I read it in two days, and I was at school both of them, so I read it pretty quickly, I just couldn't put it down. I loved the little descriptions all the way through, they were so nicely done! I think mum said to you that I loved the scene with the Grandpa when they're looking at the stars. It was beautiful and made me cry, as did the ending! I really connected with the story and I really have no criticism at all, it was just perfect! I loved it so much. All the way through I kept thinking, wow this is so good. It's actually probably one of my favourite books now, it was just my kind of story line. Quite unusual as well, with the online parts which I thought were really clever and added something a bit different to the story. Any particular questions you want to ask me, I will be more than happy to answer! Reading your book was time well spent: ) --Teen Reader 1 I'm about 10 - 12 chapters into your book now, and... IT'S AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! --Teen Reader 3 Awwwwwwwwwww. That is sooo sad! How could you?! ... its great! Sad, but great. I especially like the bit with ice cream... ( + ) --Teen Reader 3, when finished I ve just finished your book and thought it was AMAZING!: ) I read it in two days, and I was at school both of them, so I read it pretty quickly, I just couldn t put it down. I loved the little descriptions all the way through, they were so nicely done! I think mum said to you that I loved the scene with the Grandpa when they re looking at the stars. It was beautiful and made me cry, as did the ending! I really connected with the story and I really have no criticism at all, it was just perfect! I loved it so much. All the way through I kept thinking, wow this is so good. It s actually probably one of my favourite books now, it was just my kind of story line. Quite unusual as well, with the online parts which I thought were really clever and added something a bit different to the story. Any particular questions you want to ask me, I will be more than happy to answer! Reading your book was time well spent: ) --Teen Reader 1 She and her mum both read it and thought it was beautiful. And they loved it so much that they bought me a present: a bonsai tree, which they d tied a wish to. --Teen Reader 2 Awwwwwwwwwww. That is sooo sad! How could you?! its great! Sad, but great. I especially like the bit with ice cream... ( + ) --Teen Reader 3, when finished

*An exquisite debut YA novel that serves as a guide to living a meaningful life, and the importance of family, friendship and self-knowledge.-- Shelf Awareness, starred review *Benwell's deeply moving story is visceral...and psychologically acute in its portrayal of a dying teen and his loyal friends. Its shattering ending is sure to engender discussion among readers.-- Booklist, starred review *Benwell's story is remarkably unsentimental, and her setting--contemporary urban Japan--adds a unique appeal...[T]he haiku Sora reads, and writes, are a perfect symbol for his life: brief in length but full of strength and subtlety.-- Horn Book, starred review *It's a memorable and haunting story of a boy's determination to seize control of the limited time he has left.-- Publishers Weekly, starred review *This is more a tale of friendship than of romance and one of living life to the fullest for as long as possible...this thought-provoking read offers teens a different perspective on living and loving life.-- School Library Journal, starred review Benwell's gentle treatment of friendship and death with dignity will touch fans of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars.-- Kirkus

Awwwwwwwwwww. That is sooo sad! How could you?! its great! Sad, but great. I especially like the bit with ice cream... ( + ) --Teen Reader 3, when finished

Author Information

Sarah Benwell lives in the picturesque English city of Bath, where she studied for an MA in Writing For Young People. Now she writes, runs creative writing workshops for teens and adults, such as the Young Writers Squad at Trowbridge Library where she's also a writer in residence, and works retail at unsociable hours. Having seen a good chunk of the world, Sarah is a keen advocate for diversity in life and on bookshelves, and she loves nothing more than acquainting herself with both. As such, she co-runs DiversifYA.com: an online space that highlights diverse experience and promotes inclusion in YA fiction.

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