Ways To Live Forever

Ohh, ohh, ohhhh. Here is a wonderful book about death that isn't sentimental or sugar-coated but presents a very realistic and sometimes funny perspective of a dying child. It made me realize that maybe it's the terminally ill children who do a better job of accepting and dealing with their situation while the rest of us allow ourselves to be too hopeful, too careful and too fragile. Sam is a terrific boy with fortitude and his voice is unforgettable.

I dreaded reading a weepy boy dying of leukemia story. Thankfully Ways to Live Forever is NOT that type of book. It's a funny, honest portrayal of what it's like to be a child with cancer. Sam is a real 11-year-old boy. He's not angelic, he gets angry, he wants to do research on aliens and people who have near-death experiences, and to ride in an airship. In little-boy handwriting the book is full of checklists, research, and "Questions Nobody Answers." Yet Nicholls portrays so realistically and honestly the tragedy of a child's death and how it affects him, his family and friends. Beautifully written, sad, but surprisingly not banging-you-over-the-head sadness.

This novel is told in such a wonderful way with the main character being a boy who is dying of leukemia. Obviously this book is set at a rather sad premise however the author does a great job at making the book playful and thought provoking. Sam (the main character) wants to experience many things that we all take for granted and his list of things to do before he dies becomes something he can actually achieve when he and those who love him set their minds to helping him complete the list.

On the first page of this remarkable book, the main character clearly states "by the time you read this, I will probably be dead." This statement is all the more alarming because it is from the pen of an 11 year old boy with leukemia. Sam writes a book about his medical journey and the "questions nobody answers". As he considers these questions, he is preparing for his own death. This book is appropriate for middle grade, young adult and adult readers, who will find much to consider in this excellent book. There is no doubt that this is a tearjerker, but it is not manipulative of the reader. Readers who enjoyed Jordan Sonnenblick's "Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie" will find similar content in this title, though this title features the show more first person narrator as the cancer sufferer rather than as the sibling of one in Sonnenblick's book. This book also features a more raw and painful ending, but the reader genuinely gains insight into the last days of a terminally ill young adult. show less

Sam is eleven, and dying of lukemia. By the time you read this, he will probably be dead. This is the start of Sam's book, where he collects stories, facts, lists, and questions that nobody answers.
As there was no hope of Sam ever surviving, I was able to enjoy his story, it is in parts very funny, in parts touching. There are some splendid moments as Sam describes his last adventures. I haven't read a lot of dying child diaries, so this felt fresh to me. I especially enjoyed the British voice.
I'd pass it to kids Sam's age and older who are looking for sad stories.

Sam is 11 years old and has leukemia. He only has about a year to live and this is his book. His teacher (who teaches him and his friend Felix at Sam's house three days a week) encourages the boys to write in a journal. Sam takes it a step farther and starts writing a book. He has lists of things including: things he wants to do, things that happen after you die, and more. He also has questions nobody answers like: What does a dead person look like? feel like? This is his story and it is touching and wonderful and sad and moving. I think it presents death in a way that I have never seen done before in a book.

I got this book at my local bookstore on Independent Bookstore day. It was one of those "blind date" books where they wrap the book in paper and write a short description of the story on front, preventing you from "judging a book by its cover". I'm so glad that not only did I get this book but I couldn't see its cover- which doesn't relate the story at ALL and probably wouldn't have been a book I picked up on my own.

This story is told in a mix of letters, lists and journal entries. Ways to Live forever, by Sally Nichols is narriated by an eleven year old boy named Sam who has Leukemia. There are also added pictures of drawings, ticket stubs and postcards- which complement this story so well. This story is fast paced and the language is show more very easy to read, but the story- oh the story.

I don't know if I've ever been this emotional over such a short book, or any book to be honest. In just a short 224 pgs I had to put this book down countless times because of how emotionally gripping it is.

While this novel isn't perfect, I rated it 5*'s because of how moving it is. If I was any less moved by this story I probably would've given it a solid 4*'s. I loved all the characters, although I wish there was a little more background info on them. Sam and Felix have a beautiful friendship and I absolutely love them both. There were some things I wish that could've been added to the story, minor details, that I feel would've made this story better/ stronger?

This is small book packed with a powerful story and I'm left with mixed feelings. I'm heartbroken but relieved. I'm all over the place right now. So I'll be back to finish / fix my review tomorrow when my head is more clear.

*** Edit ***

I think why this book moved me so much is because I am a mother and I can't imagine being a parent to child with any sort of cancer or terminal illness. Sam's parents dealt with his disease in their own way, while struggling to keep him and themselves happy, healthy and stable. The strength these parents have... Its both incredible and inspiring. A cousin of mine just had to experience going through a kidney transplant surgery for her Adoptive son. What a scary situation.

I did find things that I didn't like about the writting (lack of background info for one) but its such a beautiful story about such an ugly disease, that I'm keeping my rating at 5*'s.

I definitely recommend this book to everyone. It could very well break your heart like it did mine, but its well worth the read. show less