Robyns Book: A True Diary

Miller was 21 when she died last summer, after living all her life with cystic fibrosis. But in her own way, she managed to cram a lot of feelings into that short life, and this book is her legacy. Perhaps the strongest impression her story creates is how hard she fought to reach out from the prison of her illness and help others understand her. It was an isolated life, with her loneliest moments coming when a friend, suffering from the same disease, withdraws her friendship and later dies. Miller wrote, ""I know that caring for me as you do, you must leave me now, even before you go, but that does not stop a part of me from wishing you could stay.'' Parts of this book were first published in Scholastic's Voice magazine; readers of the magazine wrote her letters, which she answered, and some are included here. Her tone is that of a friendly comrade, thanking students for their letters and giving, when asked, gentle advice. In this diary, Miller doesn't sound like a normal teenager; she sounds much wiser. Those who discover Robyn's Book will take much away with them. (12up)