My Book for Kids with Cansur (i.e. Cancer

Young Jason copes with Burkitt's lymphoma by recording his thoughts for other similarly afflicted children. His aim is to say kids don't always die. He relates how his cancer was discovered, describes operations, radiation and chemotherapy, and advises what to do in the hospital. Candid and authentic, Jason is also wise, telling readers that kids who laugh at baldness are not very good friends anyway and suggesting ways parents can help. He also leaves his phone number for readers to call. The childish illustrations by his twin and older brother and squiggly beginning writing are effective, but leaving Jason's misspellings is overly cutewords like ""toomer'' are distracting. Three years later Jason is considered cured, but his dedication to another child dredges up the purgatory of living with cancer: ``We're both waiting to see if our cancer comes back.'' Readers will root for him to attain his aspiration to be an oncologist. A touching work. All ages. (August)