This was an absolutely stunning YA novel, which had me in tears twice. It tells the story of Jeremy Talbot, an 11-year-old, and his family, as they deal with his father’s cancer and his eventual death. Unlike some YA, the serious topic is dealt with realistically and honestly, without a trace of saccharine. It doesn’t shy away from dealing with complex emotions but it’s also not depressing. This was my first by Little and it won’t be my last. ( )

What sets this apart from other books about the loss of a parent is the fact that it takes us through the whole process, from learning that Dad is very sick, to being able to celebrate Christmas with joy despite still feeling the grief, the hole in the life of the family.?á Dad is a background character, but he is around for the entire first half of the book.

I liked that the family had no other big challenges.?á Money got a little tighter, and they don't have a big support network, but they managed.?á Everybody did the best they could, and had their individual moments of weakness, and grieved in their own way, and carried on together.?á No need for melodrama; just a story that could help anyone deal with, or prepare* to deal with, loss.

I really liked the role of the little owl sculpture, and of the kitten Blue, and of Tess and her family.?á

*I believe in proactive bibliotherapy.?á Reading stories about other people's lives enriches one's own. ( )

It's pretty good, I think it was pretty sad too and it was very detailed.

Jeremy's father is dying of cancer. Jeremy wants to spend time with his father but someone else always intrudes. Eventually Jeremy's father is hospitalised and dies. Jeremy tries to be responsible, as the oldest of the two children, but finds it hard. Jeremy needs to cry but feels he is too old. Jeremy and his sister, Sarah, fight as a way to relieve their grief. In order to live within their diminished means, the family moves into an apartment building. The building is managed by the grandfather of one of Jeremy's father's former students, Tess, with whom Jeremy is building a friendship. The growing friendship with Tess and her grandfather helps Jeremy work through his grief, as does the realisation of what his mother has lost.

I have not yet read this book.