Foster, Stewart. Bubble.

Foster, Stewart. Bubble. Simon & Schuster  2017  352p  $16.99     Uncorrected proof  ISBN 978-1-4814-8742-9   elem/ms  Realistic fiction  VG-BN     

In this heartwarming story, eleven-year-old Joe of London is suffering from Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). He has been confined to a sterile, air- and temperature-controlled hospital room -- his "bubble", for as long as he can remember. He is supported by his sister Beth, primary doctors, and his favorite nurse Greg, who are basically his only human contacts. He also Skypes with Henry in Philadelphia, who is also suffering from SCID. NASA is working with Henry and plans to take him outside in a special suit. Joe only wishes he had that opportunity, and then he meets his new nurse Amir, who promises to make Joe a suit and take him on an outdoor adventure.

This well-written novel reminds readers of the 1976 made-for-TV movie, "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble," starring John Travolta. The movie was based on the true life story of Tod Lubich, who suffered from a “deficient immune system,” and a “bubble” was developed to take the boy outside safely.
    

Bubble by Stewart Foster is a story that is equally sensitive, suspenseful and heartbreaking at times, and will leave readers on the edge of their seats. The characters are very well developed and believable. Additionally, the medical references and terminology are spot-on correct and well researched. This is a fine read that will engage, educate and entertain young readers at a deep emotional level. It is recommended for any elementary or middle-school library as a Book of Note, with the caveat that the plot and text remain unchanged from the advanced readers’ copy that was reviewed and the actual publication.

Summary: Suffering from SCID in London, eleven-year-old Joe has been in a sterile hospital room, known as his "bubble", for as long as he can remember.  He converses with his friend Henry, who has the same condition in Philadelphia, via Skype, and finds support from his sister, the doctors, and the nurses, one of whom is determined to take Joe outside for the first time ever.

Illness-Fiction                                             --Virginia McGarvey

Telgemeier, Raina . Ghosts.

Telgemeier, Raina .  Ghosts.  Scholastic/Graphix  2016  239p  $10.99    ISBN 978-0-545-54062-9  Paperback  elem/ms      VG-BN

Upper-elementary and middle-school students who are fans of Raina Telgemeier will appreciate her new title Ghosts. Written in a graphic-novel format, the novel introduces Catrina (Cat) and her little sister Maya, who is sick as she suffers from cystic fibrosis.  When the family moves to the northern coastal town of Baha de la Luna from southern California so that the weather will be more favorable to Maya’s health, Cat is not happy. She misses her old friends, as it is hard for her to make new ones, but she knows that moving would be best for Maya. The girls learn about their new town and its famous yearly Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, as the town embraces ghost sightings and tours. Cat is terrified of ghosts, while Maya is intrigued. Maya’s disease brings her in touch with death, and the issue of dying is presented in a respectful manner by the author. Students will cheer for Maya as she battles her sickness. Even Cat comes to terms with the ghosts and her new friendship with Carlos, and puts her fears aside.

The author includes colorful illustrations, sketches, and factual information about Dia De Los Muertos and cystic fibrosis.

For schools who participate in Accelerated Reader, a test is available for students to take (AR Quiz # 184470).  The title would make an excellent addition to an elementary or middle-school collection for casual reading.    

Summary: “Catrina and her family have moved to the coast of northern California for the sake of her little sister, Maya, who has cystic fibrosis. Cat is even less happy about the move when she is told that her new town is inhabited by ghosts.” 

Moving house-Fiction, Illness-Fiction                 —Charleen Forba-MacCain

A Death-Struck Year.

Lucier, Makiia.  A Death-Struck Year.  Houghton Mifflin     2014  279p  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-544-16450-5      ms/hs  Historical fiction      VG-BN

From the security of her privileged private school, Cleo Berry reads about people dying of Spanish influenza in faraway cities like Philadelphia and New York.  It seems inconceivable that the pandemic will reach Portland, Oregon.  Then cases start being reported, and schools, churches, and theaters are shut down.  Cleo escapes to her home, only to find her guardians away.  She is on her own for the duration.

Unable to stand by and do nothing, seventeen-year-old Cleo volunteers to become a driver/nurse for the Red Cross.  She finds herself reaching out to care for strangers, and also falling in love with Edmund, a medic and war veteran.  Although Cleo has been lucky so far, her luck cannot last forever, and it is only a matter of time before she contracts the flu.  Will she live or die?  Portland will be very different with the many deaths caused by the Spanish influenza.  If she lives, what kind of changes will Cleo face in the aftermath of the disease?

Summary: Cleo Barry rides out the Spanish influenza pandemic in Portland, Oregon, where she assists the Red Cross as a driver and nurse.  Solid research is evident in Lucier’s A Death-Struck Year, a story of the deadly Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. 
           

Illness-Fiction                                             --Hilary Welliver

F-It List.

Halpern, Julie.  F-It List.   Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends    2013  247  $16.99  ISBN 978-1-250-02565-4 hs   Realistic fiction   VG           

Alex has had a rough summer dealing with her dad’s death in a traffic accident.  As she returns to her senior year in high school, she finds out her best friend since childhood has cancer. The book presents a hopeful, but realistic, view of Becca’s cancer treatment and its emotional and physical toll on both Becca and Alex.  Becca has decided that Alex should complete the bucket list (renamed the “Fuck-It List” to keep from sounding like a list written by a dying person) Becca has been compiling for many years. Some of the items are sexual, some revenge motivated, some relate to food, and some relate to the girls’ shared interest in horror films. Levity is abundant, keeping the story of dealing with a friend’s serious illness from becoming too sad and serious.  As Alex goes about completing the bucket list, there are graphic scenes of sexual acts, including masturbation, fondling of opposite-sex partners, and ultimately intercourse, some of which occurs without protection.  This book becomes a tutorial about horror films, which may irritate those who do not like the genre.  Like many of Halpern’s books, this novel provides insight into how to help friends through serious illness and survive the grief process within the larger plot of finding true love. Crude language appears frequently, sometimes unnecessarily.

Summary: Alex’s dad has just recently died, and to make matters worse, her best friend Becca has cancer.  Becca writes a bucket list and asks Alex to complete it.  Notes of levity keep this book interesting and far from maudlin.  Explicit sexual content. Gr. 10-12.                

Illness-Fiction, Grief-Fiction, Humor                       --Lois McNicol