Jordan Sonnenblick balances the gravity of a cancer diagnosis with sharp, sarcastic humor and the authentic social pressures of middle school. Steven offers an honest perspective on the guilt and resentment that come with being the healthy sibling. Books in this family share a raw, first person voice that tackles heavy life transitions through a lens of wit and everyday reality.
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the emotional fallout of a family health crisis or feels overshadowed by a sibling's needs. This story follows thirteen-year-old Steven as he navigates the shock of his younger brother's leukemia diagnosis. It captures the unique mixture of guilt, anger, and fierce love that comes with being the healthy sibling during a medical emergency. While the subject is heavy, the book is famously funny and deeply relatable for middle schoolers. It offers a realistic look at how a crisis affects school life, friendships, and family finances, providing a safe space for kids to acknowledge their own complicated feelings. It is best suited for ages 10 to 14 due to the mature themes of illness and the emotional intensity of the hospital scenes.
