Title: Ways to Live Forever
Author: Sally Nicholls
First published January 1, 2008
215 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781407104997 (ISBN10: 1407104993)
Rating: 4.19
Overview
Meet Sam, an eleven-year-old boy who loves collecting stories and fascinating facts. However, there’s one fact that he can’t seem to find an answer to – how to live forever.
Sam has leukemia, and he knows that his time is running out. He wants to know everything about death, and he’s determined to find the answers to the questions that nobody wants to answer.
Join Sam on his journey as he discovers the true meaning of life, love, and hope in this heartwarming and uplifting novel by Sally Nicholls. With humor and honesty, “Ways To Live Forever” will touch your heart and leave you inspired.
About the Author
Sally Nicholls, a renowned British author of children’s books, hails from the town of Stockton-on-Tees. After completing her education, she embarked on a journey to explore the globe.
Nicholls’ debut novel, Ways to Live Forever, earned her critical acclaim and numerous accolades.
Editoral Review
Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls is a heartwarming and emotional young adult novel that tackles the difficult subject of childhood illness and mortality. Nicholls, a British author, published the book in 2008, and it has since won numerous awards, including the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize and the Glen Dimplex New Writers Award.
The novel is written in a journal style, with the protagonist, 11-year-old Sam McQueen, chronicling his experiences as he battles leukemia. Sam is a smart and curious boy who loves science, history, and making lists.
He is determined to find a way to cheat death and live forever, and he embarks on a quest to learn as much as he can about life, death, and everything in between.
The story is set in modern-day England, and Sam’s journal entries are interspersed with letters, drawings, and other documents that provide insight into his world. Sam’s family, friends, and medical team are all featured prominently in the novel, and their interactions with Sam reveal the complexities of dealing with a serious illness.
One of the strengths of Ways to Live Forever is Nicholls’ ability to capture the voice and perspective of a young boy. Sam’s thoughts, fears, and hopes are conveyed in a way that is both authentic and poignant.
Nicholls also does an excellent job of balancing the emotional weight of the story with moments of humor and joy.
The book is not without its flaws, however. Some readers may find the plot predictable, and the use of journal entries and other documents can be jarring at times.
Additionally, the book may be difficult for some readers to read, given its subject matter.
Despite these limitations, Ways to Live Forever is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that addresses universal themes of life, death, and the human experience. It is a must-read for anyone who has ever grappled with their mortality or the mortality of a loved one.
In conclusion, I highly recommend Ways to Live Forever to young adult readers and anyone who enjoys realistic fiction. The book is a moving and well-crafted exploration of life’s big questions, and it will leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.
I give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
