In many ways Handle With Care had all the elements of a Jodi Picoult novel that I've grown to love. The problem I had with this one was the point of view Picoult used to tell her story to us the readers. The story was compelling as always; a young girl Willow, suffers from a rare disease which leaves every bone extremely brittle and subject to breakage at almost anytime. But each chapter begins with a character in 6 year old Willow's life telling Willow her own life story. From before Willow's birth, right up to her present with all the complications and details that we as adult readers of Picoult's novels would expect. I just couldn't get comfortable that idea and it's not till the very last chapter that it becomes clear that the characters weren't really telling the story to Willow. It was more like each character having an inner dialog in their own minds with the Willow that might have been. Sadly, the concept just didn't do it for me. That being said, I'll admit to being touched by many many moments in the novel. You can always count on Jodi for that ! ( )

Essentially, this was My Sister's Keeper with a new title. I kept asking myself whether I would have liked it better had I not read My Sister's Keeper first. ( )

HAHA that ending I wish I was reading this when it came out to see how annoyed everyone was by that ending!!! Anyway that I'm more amused by that decision than heartbroken speaks to my overall sentiment. I didn't get as invested in the characters of this one--was there anyone really to root for?--but Picoult's writing still had be eagerly finding time to listen. Captivating and entertaining. ( )

I really wanted to read this book since my sister has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which the "main" character has as well. It was well written, narration coming from different members of Willow's family; that was interesting. Unfortunately the only time Willow got a chapter was the last and worst chapter. Afterwards, I wondered to my sister if she thought that Jodi had met someone with OI and was inspired by them. Val, being ever so smart, said that she thought that the idea of wrongful birth probably came first and then Jodi needed a child with a disability with typical or above average cognitive skills. I'm afraid Val is correct, which dampens my feelings about the book. Also after reading this book, I purposely made it clear to Val that I never felt second rate to her or that she was a bother or that I wanted to hurt myself because of her. Maybe it was because she came into our lives when I was a young adult, I have a different perspective. The trueness of the story though, for families with children with disabilities of all types, is eye-opening and something I hope I've always treated with respect when working with my students, patients and their families. Yes, I am patient and kind but I don't have to live with _______________ (fill in the blank, i.e. autism, CP, etc.) 24/7 like the caregivers. If I was in their shoes, would I truly do anything different? All that being said, life can be sad enough. Last chapters should be happy. ( )

Oh lord this book pulled me in and tugged at those heart strings. As a woman who doesn't have kids, can't have kids and has thought every thought in this book about having kids it was an emotional book to read. ( )