Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Cancer

Book SynopsisWinner of the Scottish Teenage Book Prize 2019Longlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2018Quick-witted, sharp-tongued Connor Lambert won't take it any longer: the bullying, the secrets, the sympathy. He's been dying from cancer for years, but he’s not dead yet. He's going down fighting.Forming an unlikely friendship with fellow juvenile delinquent Skeates, the pair stage a break out and set off on a crazy tour across Scotland -- dodging the police, joy riding and extreme partying -- to find Connor's dad, an inmate at Shotts prison. But Connor's left two things behind -- the medication he needs to keep him alive, and the girl who makes living bearable. A fresh and bold debut novel full of heart, guts and raw emotion. Farewell Tour of a Terminal Optimist is a brilliantly funny, thrilling exploration of friendship, identity and mortality populated with witty, sharply drawn characters.Trade Review'This book draws the reader in with the ups and downs of both boys' lives -- recommended.'-- School Library Connection'Sweet , [...] incredibly funny, and tremendously exciting.'-- The Bookwitch'A bold and brilliant debut.'-- Keith Gray, author of Ostrich Boys and Creepers'I normally dislike books about dying teens, but this one had me feeling all the feels. I laughed (often), my heart raced during the get-aways, and yes, I even cried. Real tears!'-- Cindy Huskey, GoodReads'I enjoyed the writing a lot. I also loved the unique voice the main character has. His life is very tragic but he's just so inspiring. I can't wait to hold the physical copy in my hands.'-- NetGalley'Think John Green with a heavy dose of modern Scottish culture.'-- Goodreads'[The book] celebrates friendship and making the most of life. It is a really uplifting read.'-- Lisa Talks About'A fun read... I liked the characters and the unexpected bromance between Connor and Skeates.'-- My Paper Infinity'A life-affirming read and a great adventure'-- Groomsport Parish magazine'[A] very emotional story, but at the same time was absolutely hilarious! I really enjoyed reading Connor and Skeates' adventure across Scotland and all the ups and downs they faced along the way... The characters were realisitic and funny, the storyline was exciting and it was hard to put the book down. I would definitely recommend this book to teenagers looking for a quick, funny and emotional read.'-- Julia Narine, Boroughmuir High'I loved that the novel was set in Scotland! I liked the characters Connor and Skeates, and enjoyed the evolution of their relationship which was really sweet. It was exciting to read as you never knew what trouble or difficulty they would run into... overall I think it was a great debut novel.'-- Mairi McBrien, Boroughmuir High'Normally I don't like this type of YA book, but what I really liked about this one was the Scottish setting. It's like John Green but with a little bit of Scottish culture... I would recommend this book to people who like reading YA books about reality, and people who enjoy stories set outside the US, because the Scottish setting is a great bonus.'-- Joana Dimitrova, Craigmount High'OMG this book was a major tearjerker for me. Connor and Skeates have an unusual friendship but aren’t all friendships? The fact that Connor has terminal cancer but is trying to live his life to the fullest is heart-warming. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this!'-- Goodreads-Taylors Reviews'A couple of unique twists. More importantly, the background attitude is unique.' -- NetGalley reader

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Book SynopsisPhilip's mum has breast cancer. Philip wants to be a stand-up comedian like his hero, Harry Hill. Now he has to find the funny side of an unfunny subject, to help his mum – and himself. Philip is twelve years old and life is pretty good. He gets on with his mum and gets by pretty well at school – in spite of girl problems, teacher problems, bully problems and – er – poetry problems. Philip’s happy-go-lucky life is disrupted when his mother gets breast cancer. Bad enough that your mother is seriously ill – but could she not have developed a less embarrassing kind of cancer – toe cancer, maybe, or ear cancer? Philip’s attempts to cope with his situation are both hilarious and touching. Through it all, he’s writing letters to his hero, the comedian Harry Hill, looking for advice. A multi-award-winning and hilarious take on the unfunny subject of cancer; this book brings one of modern life’s most prevalent illnesses into the light and gives it a human faceTrade ReviewThe book is a real insight into how a parent’s illness can impact a child, and the unusual ways they cope with it all. A perfect little book if you your little one knows a close family member who is battling cancer, and is unsure how to deal with the diagnosis. * Mummypages *The story drives along at a rollicking pace – the comedy and the serious matter of potential tragedy harmonising nicely. * The Irish Times *Christine Hamill has a way of bringing humour to the trauma of cancer that no other author has dared to. * The Belfast Telegraph *The light-hearted touch in this story stops it from becoming a maudlin tale about illness, which is particularly clever given the subject matter. Instead, it is a down-to-earth, funny, emotive story which has you laughing and crying at the same time. Philip’s observations and reactions to his Mum’s perplexing behaviour are utterly realistic and many will be able to relate to his feelings of desperation. When the truth is finally revealed, that his Mum is facing a battle with cancer, it is done so with extreme care by the author. Whilst the realities are bleak, Philip sets about trying to cope, sort out his problems and help his Mum, with hilarious and moving moments throughout … This uplifting book will open the eyes of those who think illness should be kept behind closed doors and only whispered about. * The Book Activist *The stages of Philip’s Mum’s illness and treatment and its emotional effects are portrayed convincingly and the light-hearted fictional approach to a difficult subject, told through Philip’s likeable, funny voice, will help young people to understand and cope with a situation that many are likely to face. * Books for Keeps *The story steers its way through the tricky subject of coping with cancer to great effect. A story that could so easily resort to pathos rises to become a tenacious tale, invested with genuinely funny moments. * Carousel Magazine *

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Book Synopsis Perfect for fans of Patrick Ness''s A Monster Calls, and with beautiful colour illustrations throughout, Cappy and The Whale is a unique and wonderful Ukrainian story which Puffin are proud to publish in English for the very first time.One morning I glanced out the window and saw a whale floating in the sky. The whale was blue and grey, large and clumsy, yet he was just rolling along and gliding on the warm sunny breeze with surprising grace.When eight-year-old Cappy discovers a whale swimming outside of his bedroom window, it''s fair to say he''s quite surprised. Given how long he''s spent in hospital, Cappy has had plenty of time to read a LOT of books on animals, and he''s never heard of a whale that can fly. What with his leukaemia, Cappy''s used to not being allowed to do things he wants - like eating sweets, playing with dogs, or roaming too far from his protective family - so he''s delighted when the amazing whale n

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