Aww, this was very sweet. Griffin and Norah and their mythological characters were super cool and I loved the thread of Greek mythology that came through in a really fun way. I wish we had gotten a bit more on the parents though--how long ago had they split? Why did the mom go to California?--but other than that, this was well told. ( )

Norah Levy is starting seventh grade. She has not been to school in two years; she has been fighting leukemia and now is trying to adjust to “normal” middle school life. The book tells of her struggles as The Girl Who Had Cancer and is powerful in its message of strength and acceptance. Includes About the Author.

Norah has missed the last two years of school while dealing with leukemia. Her parents sacrificed a lot, divorced before the diagnosis, they were living on opposite coasts. She goes back to start 7th grade and has to deal with a lot. She takes two 8th grade classes and meets a new boy from whom she tries to hide that part of her identity. An interesting exploration of survival, recovery, and reintegrating into ones life after trauma. ( )

Norah has spent the last two years in the hospital receiving treatment for her cancer. But now that she's in remission, it's time to re-enter school as a seventh grader and it turns out to be a rockier road than she expected. Will Norah be able to fit in again at school? Will her parents allow her to just be a "regular" kid or will their strict rules get in Norah's way? And what about that cute new boy at school -- could he just possibly be as interested in Norah as she is in him?

This was a fantastic read. I was a little skeptical at first that a book about a child with cancer would be too much, but this a rare look at someone in remission and healing from the illness. We see inside Norah's mind as she gets frustrated by the things she can't do and by people's well-meaning but unhelpful attempts to welcome her back to "regular" life. This was certainly an interesting perspective from which to see.

While Norah's story is specific (and the author's acknowledgements at the end make it seem perhaps somewhat based on insider knowledge), many of her feelings about middle school are rather universal. Concerns about real and fake friends, worries about school assignments, a first crush, and so forth are rather typical experiences for many middle-grade students. Her feeling of being in two worlds -- one where sickness reigns and one where it doesn't -- could be relatable to other kids who also feel divided for a variety of reasons.

Author Dee connecting Norah's love of Greek mythology to the story as a whole is also a lovely touch. Overall, the writing style is accessible and flows smoothly. This was the sort of book that I didn't want to put down. It is definitely worth the read for helping readers develop empathy for others in different situations. ( )