Radiate [Paperback]

Marley Gibson (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 3, 2012

Hayley Matthews is determined to be the best cheerleader she can. She works hard
and pushes herself 110% all the time.
Then Hayley finds a lump on her leg. The diagnosis is cancer. The prognosis is
unclear. She could lose her leg. Or maybe her life.
At first Haley is scared, terrified. In an instant, everything she’s worked for seems
out of reach. But Haley is strong. She’s going to fight this disease. She will not let it
take her life or her dreams.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-When Hayley Matthews earns a spot on the varsity cheerleading team, she has everything she's ever wanted, including the attention of the most popular boy in school. But during exhaustive practices, Hayley finds a lump on her leg that turns out to be cancer, and she must forgo cheerleading camp for treatment in Birmingham, AL. She faces her circumstances with fierce determination and a positive attitude. When she returns to school, her friends are supportive and welcome her back on the team, and her boyfriend is affectionate, even when Hayley loses her hair to chemotherapy. Then her parents, who are already struggling financially, have a stack of medical bills to pay, and a friend receives a diagnosis of advanced leukemia. At nearly 400 pages, the novel still reads quickly, sometimes too quickly, as Hayley's narration often lacks depth. Nevertheless, her determination is inspiring and uplifting and challenges readers to embrace the power of positive thinking in the face of life's obstacles.-Kimberly Garnick Giarratano, Rockaway Township Public Library, NJα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

"RADIATE is a word that aptly describes this novel. I found myself caught in the tight grip of hope and determination. A story as extraordinary and as powerful as this one will affect the reader long after the book is finished, especially after knowing the source of the author's inspiration." - Colleen Houck, NYT Bestselling Author

"RADIATE shows readers that the power of positive thinking can change lives!" - Simone Elkeles, NYT Bestselling Author

"I have never read a writer with a voice as characteristic and consistent!  I love it!" - Jennifer Echols, author of Going Too Far and Forget You

"Radiate shows readers that the power of positive thinking can change lives!"--New York Times bestselling author Simone Elkles

 

"Whether she's writing about teen ghost huntresses or a cheerleader battling cancer, Marley Gibson has such a distinctive voice.  I have never read a writer with a voice as characteristic and consistent.  Love it!" - Jennifer Echols, author of GOING TOO FAR and FORGET YOU

 

"Radiant is a word that aptly describes this new novel by Marley Gibson. Hayley’s startling journey as a teen fighting cancer is intense and astonishing and I found myself caught in the tight grip of hope and determination. A story as extraordinary and as powerful as this one will affect the reader long after the book is finished, especially after knowing the source of the author’s inspiration."--Colleen Houck, New York Times best-selling author of Tiger's Curse. "This book is about a tough and fun and cool cheerleader, who still keeps cheering after her diagnose, and tries to maintain a normal life, the only right [thing] to do in this situation, and I can only cheer, cheer, cheer for Hayley's positive attitude and the positivity that radiates through this amazing book! I loved the way it was written, thumbs up to Marley Gibson! Impressive and highly recommended!!"--Marjoleinbookblog

"Challenges readers to embrace the power of positive thinking in the face of life's obstacles."--School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Graphia; Original edition (April 3, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547617283
• ISBN-13: 978-0547617282
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,150 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marley Gibson is a young adult, romance, and non-fiction author. Her YA books included her popular GHOST HUNTRESS series, RADIATE, a fictionalized version of the cancer she went through as a teenage cheerleader, and POSER, about a South Beach Miami model who prefers to shy away from the limelight. Gibson's Resisting Temptation series, includes the books CAN'T TOUCH THIS, CAN'T FIGHT THIS, and more to come. She co-wrote THE OTHER SIDE: A TEEN'S GUIDE TO GHOST HUNTING AND THE PARANORMAL with her husband, TruTV and Travel Channel's, Patrick Burns. She also co-authored CHRISTMAS MIRACLES and THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS with New York Times bestselling author, Cecil Murphy. Boston is her home, but she and her husband travel non-stop in their RV motor home they loving call Midge, with their two rescue kitties, Madison and Boo. She can be found online in many places:

www.marleygibson.com
www.ghosthuntress.com
www.radiatebook.com
Facebook - marley.h.gibson
Twitter - @MarleyGibson

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and emotional read April 23, 2012

By brandileigh2003

Format:Paperback

Hayley is such an inspiring character. She's so positive and I'd hope that if I ever got cancer, I could keep that kind of attitude. This is more than a book about cancer though, it is a book about survival, the bonds of family, and about living to fight another day so that you can do what you love. Hayley was so strong, and it kinda inspired me to be a better person. She went through so much more than I have and I've been much more down than her, but I love that she still made time for others, and didn't get so focused on herself.
I related to this book because even though there is nothing wrong with being a "band geek" or a "jrotc nerd" which was exactly what I was, and mostly happy about it, I wondered occasionally how the popular side lived. It was neat to read about someone crossing that divide, being able to fit in and loving what she does.
Not only is Hayley a great main character, I also enjoyed Lora and Gabriel. They rang true to me, and I would love to have friends like them.
This book is very emotional at times, I was tearing up at a few parts, and I think that Ms. Gibson did a good job being descriptive, moving the plot along, and making me connect with the characters.
It made it even more awesome that Ms. Gibson wrote from experience and her personal life, and the foundation that she started.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful and important book that is also a fun read April 9, 2012

By PamelaC

Format:Paperback

Cancer hits much too close to home for many, myself included. There are some well written and best selling books that I simply haven't been able to read for this reason...it's still too raw and real to go there. Unless the message is positive and one of hope, which is what this book offers.

Radiate is a warmly written story that pulled me right in and kept the pages turning. The mix of fun and light drama, Hayley making the team and crushing on a hot guy offset the very serious real drama that was happening as a much too young girl battled cancer.

I think this is an important book for teens to read because it's something they can relate to. Hayley is not just a sick girl, she's a normal teen struggling with fitting in and being popular and chasing her dream. It shows a real glimpse into a world most people don't know anything about, and in doing so makes it a little less scary. It would be a wonderful book to be read in schools, so that kids learn about what it's really like to go through this, as there are unfortunately kids in every school dealing with cancer and a book like this could help classmates understand and even offer support.

This would be especially meaningful for any sick kid or family member or friends because most importantly, this story is an inspiring one that offers hope and a happy ending.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What an inspirational story!!! April 3, 2012

By Carla

Format:Paperback

Caution: Some language in this book may not be suitable for all readers.

'So I only have one word to describe this book. Awe! I am totally in awe of the strength and courage of Hayley! Radiate is the story of Hayley Matthews who in her senior year of high school wants to do something more with her life. She has been in the high school band and made it through most of her high school years unnoticed. But she is tired of blending in. She wants to finally stand out! To be noticed. To do something MORE! So she trades in her trumpet for a pair or pompoms. Despite the challenges of being a cheerleader, she pushes herself to excell in her sport. Little does she know that her body is fighting against her. After a few weeks of practice, she notices a pain in her leg, but thinks that it is from all the extra exercise from practice. So she ignores it as best she can and keeps pushing forward, until one day she notices a knot on her leg and finally tells her parents. After a couple doctors appointments, and harsh diagnoses, her mother calls in Hayley's uncle who is a doctor to get his opinion. He tells them that he believes that she has osteosarcoma. He helps them to understand some of the things that will be involved in fighting this disease and helps them find a doctor he feels will be the best match for them. Hayley says goodbye to her friends and heads to the UAB Hospital to begin her fight. Though she spends most of her summer there, she tries to stay optimistic. She doesn't allow herself to feel sorry for herself or wish her diagnosis on anyone else. She is going to fight this. She is going to win! Even after her surgery, she continues to prepare herself for the cheerleading season ahead. She will not let cancer stop her! She watches videos of her squad practicing their routines. She even goes to a practice with a local squad that came to visit her in the hospital. She is determined that she will be part of her squad and be the best cheerleader she can be. With all her focus on doing this, cancer never even has a chance to consume her mind. She never really lets it in. But there are so many obstacles that she is going to have to over come. Will she be able to find the Something More she was looking for? Will she continue to be able to be a part of her squad after she surgery? Well I guess you will just have to read and find out, cause that's all your getting out of me!!!