March Winners, Grimes: Level 4

My Sister's Keeper by Jodie Picoult is an emotional story about two sisters whose medical bond keeps them closer than most people. The older sister Kate had been diagnosed with leukemia when she was a little girl. Her younger sister Anna, was born for the sole purpose to save her life. After years of surgeries and blood donations Anna begins to feel used. She makes a drastic decision that tears her family apart.

I had never heard of Jodie Picoult, but after reading the rave reviews I knew I was in for a phenomenal book. I followed the family through the surgeries and the fights, and the fears of slowing losing both their daughters and their son. It was written so well I felt all the emotions of each character. It took me along for the twists and turns, as each chapter was told by a different family member.

In her unique way of writing, Jodie Picoult told the story through multiple points of views. The mother remembers about the past, when her daughter was diagnosed. Her husband, a firefighter uses facts to tell how he sees the world. Their son depicts about always being forgotten over the two sisters. Anna talks about the present, and describes the battle that is going on within herself. No aspect of the story is left out. This is an emotionally deep book, not for the light of heart. I am not one to cry over a fictional novel, but there were many times I was brought to tears by the realistic words. I was not disappointed as it grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go until the heart-wrenching ending.

After having known people close to me that have had cancer, I could understand both sides of the story, and relate because I have seen firsthand the kind of pain cancer can cause. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a book with true meaning, that reminds you to fight for what you believe in and never take a moment for granted.