I received an email from a reader today and I am hoping some of you can help her!
Hi,
Could you steer me towards a middle grade novel in which a child deals with a mom who has breast cancer? I don’t want one in which the mom dies.
I can find a few picture books about this topic, but the girls in need are eight and good readers.
Thank you so much.
Any suggestions for Betsy? Please leave them in the comments!
Filed under: cancer | Tagged: books about breast cancer |
The Reading Zone 
The closest I could come off the top of my head is Ida B: . . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World by Katherine Hannigan.
Mom develops cancer, but I don’t remember if it is specifically identified as breast cancer. Mom is still sick at the end, but readers are left with hope that her sickness won’t end in death.
It’s been a while since I’ve read it, so forgive me if my memory hasn’t served me well.
Brian
The only book that immediately comes to mind is Ida B by Katherine Hannigan, but I’m not sure how much of the book is really Ida dealing with her mom’s cancer. Ida’s homeschooled and has to be sent to public school because of her mom’s illness. It’s been several years since I read it…
If I think of any more I’ll let you know!
Gary Paulsen has a new book called Notes from the Dog…which deals with a couple of boys who develop a relationship with their neighbor who has breast cancer. For middle school and high school kids.
I was also going to recommend Ida B. Many of my 9 year old girls read it last year. The book basically deals with all Ida B has to go through because of her mom’s diagnosis…basically everything about her life changes and she is not happy about it. Over the course of the book she comes to accept the changes around her.
What about Notes from a Dog? Gary Paulsen’s new book. The character that has breast cancer is a friend of the narrator, not the mom, but it is a beautiful book. I don’t know if it would be appropriate, but I suggest trying it! Good luck.
Boyds Mills Press has a new novel coming out on Sept. 28 titled Brushing Mom’s Hair, targeted toward the 10-12 range, but it might work as a read together. I’ve received a copy for review but haven’t yet read it… The description is:
When your mom has breast cancer, how do you cope? Ann is just short of 15 when Mom is diagnosed with breast cancer. How can she tell the girls in her class that her mom had her breasts cut off? Her matter-of-fact sister Jane, takes charge at home, her brother Nick calls from California, Dad helps when he can, as do friends, teachers and relatives. Still, Ann is consumed with worry. Who will make sure Mom drinks enough water, like the doctor said? Unless she is dancing or making poetry, Ann feels completely alone. She has a book that says, “Don’t sweat the small stuff. And it’s all small stuff.” Even cancer?
I just saw on Teri Lesesne’s blog a recommendation for Andrea Cheng’s BRUSHING MOM’S HAIR, a novel in verse. http://professornana.livejournal.com/