Customer Reviews

Ways To Live Forever

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How lovely novel this is. Normally I don't read novel for young adults but I did liked this one very much indeed. The language is simply but absolutely beautiful; portraits as well; it's really impossible not to love Felix and entire Sam's family (and of course Sam). From the very beginning you are stunned by horrifying circumstance characters of the novel are facing with and feel gratefulness cause you're not from that story. Then you realize that there are numerous people in precisely the same situation and from that moment you're not looking on this novel as a work of fiction. You're starting to feel their pain and respect their courage. You're seeing real children and their loved ones under those pages ...
Eventually you're absolutely emotionally attached with them so don't be surprise if your eyes start watering (be surprise if they don't!).

The summing up statement at the beginning of this story introduces this multimodal reader effectively "This is my book...it is a collection of lists, stories, pictures, questions and facts. It is also my story".
Sam is 11 years old and has leukaemia. He is also a fun-loving, intelligent boy with a zest for trying to cram a list of experiences into the short time that is left before he dies.
This story folllows him in his fulfillment of his list of things he wants to do, in such a funny and unsentimental way, that I couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry on many of the pages (of course, I was already sniffling by the time I had gotten to page 2, anyone who knows me, knows I am a complete wimp). The power lies in the fact that Sam is unsentimental, not much mush, even though the actual events and stories are emotionally highly charged. His pleasure and awareness of everyday small things that most people take for granted is evident throughout, for example in the thrill of sunshine, snow or a simple thing like seeing a clear sky during a powercut.
In terms of genuine quality this was a winner. Stories that seem completely real and genuine are a bit of a rarity, but this was one I had trouble with, I just found it difficult to believe someone had written this and dreamed it up (I had a similar experience with 'Life of Pi'). Having said that, there are probably plenty of 'Sams' out there, who feel this is their story. I'm making everyone old enough in the house read this one. A big thumbs up for the author- did I mention it's the winner of the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2008? What a super read!

I read (mostly skim)young adult books mainly to make sure they are suitable for my children, but I found myself reading every word of this book. Having had cancer myself 9 years ago, there are questions that you ask about your own mortality. I can't imagine being 11 and faced with the fact that you are dying. Sally Nichols brings Sam to life, and you feel as if you are reading his actual journal, not reading a fictional book.

...to have a lump in your throat, a tear in your eye and a smile on your face. But you won't have any regret from reading this story.

What an outstanding story of young Sam and his story of his life's final months. And congratulations to Ms. Nicholls for penning this incredible story. She did it wonderfully. She really did capture, I think, what an 11 year old boy might be thinking of, how he might be thinking it and how he might write it down.
I was hesitant to read this book, not sure whether I wanted to deal with the emotion it would undoubtedly bring about. As a parent I find it extremely difficult to not put my self in the position of Sam's parents, and my kids in Sam's place. Nevertheless, I took a deep breath and jumped into this story feet first. And I have no regrets. Yes, it is emotional, as it should be. But it is so well done it made it all worth it. I think everyone should read this book. Even 40 year old dads, or especially them.

A big thank you to one of my 8th-grade students for bringing this book to my attention - she told me it was excellent, and I do agree.

WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER tells the story of the last four months in the life of eleven-year-old Sam McQueen. Sam was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of six. He successfully battled the disease twice, but this third bout will be his last. Now at home and taking drugs, not to cure the disease, but only to gain him some extra time, he decides to write his story.

With the help of Felix, another terminally ill young boy, Sam puts his thoughts and feelings on paper. He details his daily activities, his frustrations with his illness, and the many unanswered questions he has about the end. He makes a list of what he would like to do before he dies, including things like "be a teenager," "ride in an airship," and "go up down-escalators and down up-escalators."

Sam's straight-forward approach to his situation and those connected with his life provide an emotional yet inspiring story. There are humorous moments and heart-wrenching times as Sam lives his remaining days with both amazing curiosity and humble dignity. It is a powerful story I'm glad I didn't miss.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Sam McQueen has lived 11 years, and so far it's been a grueling journey. Diagnosed with leukemia at age six, he has been in and out of hospitals, dealing with endless nosebleeds, always feeling tired, and surviving the torturous bouts of chemotherapy. The doctors thought they had beaten the cancer, but it always comes back. This time, they suspect the worst and give Sam about a year to live.

Not all of Sam's life has been horrid. He has two awesome parents and a younger sister named Ella who love him very much. And then there's Felix, who he met at the hospital. Felix also has cancer, but it's a different kind. Although Felix is two years older than Sam, they became best friends almost immediately. The two of them together spell "trouble" and present a big challenge to the nurses, like the time they snuck around the hospital corridors playing spy games.

Sam and Felix have school together three days a week at Sam's house. Their teacher, Mrs. Willis, usually makes it fun and doesn't push them to do boring stuff. In fact, she gave Sam the idea to start his very own book, in which he will talk about his life and coping with cancer. Included will be all of the lists that he and Felix make: his favorite things, what he looks like, what to do when someone dies, ways to live forever, and questions that nobody will answer. He also has a list of goals to accomplish, such as seeing a ghost, flying in a blimp, kissing a girl, and going up the down escalator. He never really expects to perform these activities, but with the encouragement of Felix, he starts crossing things off his list.

Eventually, both Sam and Felix's health begins to fade. Sam knows they don't have long to live, and the idea of death is never far from his mind. But he doesn't let it stop him from taking advantage of the time he has left, or loving those most important to him.

Sally Nicholls has written an amazing story that will forever touch those who read it. Her very real character of Sam will wiggle into your heart with his honesty and openness, and no one will be able to refuse his sincere invitation to share in his challenging life. His quizzical mind asks the questions everyone wants answered, and his heart- and soul-touching story may even provide some possible answers. Nicholls writes with a childlike openness and sense of humor that, along with its page-turning intensity, will have the book finished all too soon. However, becoming Sam's friend and sharing in his special story will allow readers to carry a part of him in their hearts forever.

I picked his book up on a whim, thought oh this looks interesting. I found myself having read it cover to cover in one sitting.
This book is about a fictional 11yr old Sam. Sam has cancer, Although the doctors have tried it is incurable. For the most part everyone knows Sam is dying, and yet life goes on. He goes to a motified version of school, Sees his friend, does little but important stuff. But one day his teacher brought up a idea, to write about something. Sam is caught up in the idea of writting and creates this book. He calls it his way of living forever because even though some of the ideas he came up with as things he wanted to do before he died and thought were impossible he found simple but possible ways to do them.

Warning: Don't read this book without a box of tissues at your disposal. I haven't cried this much over a book since The Time Traveler's Wife. (That's an adult novel and definitely not for kids!) I read a lot of YA novels to prescreen for my kids, so that's why I am here sharing my thoughts on Ways to Live Forever.

Sally Nicholls was only 23 when she wrote this book. She manages to capture eleven year old Sam perfectly. He is so real to me, that I can easily imagine him or his buddy Felix, as one of my 13 year old son's dungeons and dragons buddies. Sam isn't an angel, and he and Felix play tricks on the nurses and argue and tease one another.

This story is about Sam's last months, when he is no longer strong enough to undergo chemotherapy for his leukemia. He is sent home to die, his best prognosis being a year to live. Sam has a best friend who also is terminally ill; his name is Felix. Felix is 13, a bit older, into Greenday music, sneaking the occasional cigarette, and helping Sam realize his dreams. Along with Felix, Sam's little sister Ella, his Mom and Dad, his tutor Mrs. Willis, and his nurse Annie are his whole world. He hasn't been able to go to real school in ages, and he remembers fondly the good days when he was strong enough to ride a bike.

It's a remarkable and realistic story. Sam tells us all about himself as he prepares to die.

I am a cancer survivor myself and this book spoke to me in several ways, I give this five stars because this is one of the best books I have read in a long time.

Sam McQueen has lived 11 years, and so far it's been a grueling journey. Diagnosed with leukemia at age six, he has been in and out of hospitals, dealing with endless nosebleeds, always feeling tired, and surviving the torturous bouts of chemotherapy. The doctors thought they had beaten the cancer, but it always comes back. This time, they suspect the worst and give Sam about a year to live.

Not all of Sam's life has been horrid. He has two awesome parents and a younger sister named Ella who love him very much. And then there's Felix, who he met at the hospital. Felix also has cancer, but it's a different kind. Although Felix is two years older than Sam, they became best friends almost immediately. The two of them together spell "trouble" and present a big challenge to the nurses, like the time they snuck around the hospital corridors playing spy games.

Sam and Felix have school together three days a week at Sam's house. Their teacher, Mrs. Willis, usually makes it fun and doesn't push them to do boring stuff. In fact, she gave Sam the idea to start his very own book, in which he will talk about his life and coping with cancer. Included will be all of the lists that he and Felix make: his favorite things, what he looks like, what to do when someone dies, ways to live forever, and questions that nobody will answer. He also has a list of goals to accomplish, such as seeing a ghost, flying in a blimp, kissing a girl, and going up the down escalator. He never really expects to perform these activities, but with the encouragement of Felix, he starts crossing things off his list.

Eventually, both Sam and Felix's health begins to fade. Sam knows they don't have long to live, and the idea of death is never far from his mind. But he doesn't let it stop him from taking advantage of the time he has left, or loving those most important to him.

Sally Nicholls has written an amazing story that will forever touch those who read it. Her very real character of Sam will wiggle into your heart with his honesty and openness, and no one will be able to refuse his sincere invitation to share in his challenging life. His quizzical mind asks the questions everyone wants answered, and his heart- and soul-touching story may even provide some possible answers. Nicholls writes with a childlike openness and sense of humor that, along with its page-turning intensity, will have the book finished all too soon. However, becoming Sam's friend and sharing in his special story will allow readers to carry a part of him in their hearts forever.

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND