**Emotional and Profoundly Thought-Provoking**

If your child were deathly ill, what lengths would you go to in order to save them? You would likely move heaven and earth, wouldn't you? But would that include sacrificing your other child? This question stops you in your tracks, doesn't it.

Kate was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. Conventional treatment simply wasn't working. Her only hope was a bone marrow transplant. However, no one in the family was a close match. And there was no time to sit on the register, hoping against hope to find a donor.

Kate's parents made the call of a lifetime. They decided to have another child through IVF to ensure as close to a perfect match for Kate as possible. Anna was ushered into this world with an abundance of love, but also with the hope that she would save Kate's life. So many gut-wrenching decisions followed. Morals and values had to be considered. When is enough, enough? When will it stop? What will the repercussions be when all is said and done?

This book will make you take a hard look at yourself in the mirror. How far can you go? Is causing harm to one daughter worth easing the pain of your other? Jodi Picoult did an amazing job of portraying a family in the most unthinkable crisis.

It was a buddy read with Susanne that kept us discussing as much as reading. I highly recommend it!

Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

Thank you Susanne for gifting me a copy of this incredible book.

I have an unwavering love for this book. Recently, I made the decision to re-read it as I chanced upon a part of the movie adaptation on TV just the other day.

This is truly Jodi Picoult at her absolute best. I have derived great pleasure from all of her literary works, but this particular one stands at the very pinnacle. When I first delved into its pages in 2005, I was almost insisting that people around me read it. It achieved even greater popularity once the movie was released, but I had been a devoted fan from the very instant I opened the book and began reading the very first page.

Jodi Picoult has explored numerous controversial topics in her writing, and this book zeroes in on genetic engineering. Kate Fitzgerald suffers from a rare form of leukemia. Her parents conceive her sister, Anna, as a donor match for the procedures that Kate requires. At the tender age of 13, Anna makes the decision to hire a lawyer so that she can essentially sue her parents for the rights to her own body.

I found this book to be so utterly engrossing that I managed to devour it in just two sittings. I would have easily finished it in one sitting if it hadn't been for the fact that I had to go to work.

It is extremely difficult not to feel sympathy for every single character in the book. It poses so many profound questions, and all these years later, I am still pondering over the possible answers. What lengths would you be willing to go to in order to save a life? Especially the life of a child?

Jodi Picoult has handled these issues with the utmost sensitivity and has crafted a thought-provoking, moving story that holds your interest firmly from start to finish. This is one of those rare books that you simply cannot bear to put down. I will forever cherish this book and highly recommend it to others.

Good read.

I do not like to ever rate something badly.

I am just not a fan of sad stories. It seems that I always feel depressed after reading stuff like this.

Nonetheless, the plot is real and shows that sometimes things are not all butterflies and roses in the world.

Sickness is the one thing that is totally out of our control. However, it's so important to be there for a loved one when they go through the worst of times.

We should cherish the good moments and also be prepared to face the difficult ones.

Loving and supporting each other can make a big difference in times of need.

Although sad stories may make us feel down, they can also teach us valuable lessons about life and love.

We should try to look for the positive in every situation and keep our hopes alive.

After all, life is a journey full of ups and downs, and we need to be strong and resilient to overcome the challenges.

Read this amazing piece and be completely astounded by its conclusion.

However, be cautious as the movie adaptation might have spoiled it for you, just as it nearly did for me.

The story has such a captivating build-up that leads to a truly unexpected and mind-blowing ending. It keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, eagerly anticipating what will happen next.

But then, when I watched the movie, I was disappointed to find that some of the crucial elements and the magic of the original ending were lost in translation.

Thankfully, I was able to go back and re-read the article to fully appreciate its brilliance and the impact of that remarkable ending.

So, do yourself a favor and read the article first, before you even think about watching the movie. You won't be disappointed.

\\n  If you use an immoral way to save your child's life, does that make you a bad mother?\\n

How to answer it?
How many stars should I give?
What should I comment?
This book has touched me from beginning to end...
It makes me angry and cry at the same time...

I was so touched by Sara's tenacity in fighting for Kate's fate, who suffers from acute APL leukemia, that she has to give birth to a child through genetic engineering so that the child's DNA is 100% the same as Kate's. She uses this only to save Kate's life, with the help of the umbilical cord donated by Andromeda to Kate when she was born, making Kate's life longer than it should be. Miracle or coincidence? Or success?

I was so moved to see little Kate fighting against blood cancer since the age of 2. A child who should have been able to grow up healthy and run like other children. With her simplicity, little Kate patiently and bravely faces her fight against the disease.

Kate's tenacity and Sara's tenacity are worthy of praise, just like that of all those who fight against cancer.

I was so proud to see Andromeda or Anna, a smart and cheerful little girl. Who has been introduced to injections and infusions since childhood to help her sister. But the question is, was Anna ever asked about her willingness to help Kate?
Until finally, when Anna can no longer bear to be a helper, she demands her medical independence from her parents...

Then is Sara wrong if she continues to force for Kate?


I like this drama, it's so complex, full of conflicts but also full of messages.
It is made from the perspectives of various characters so that we can explore the thoughts of the characters in looking at everything. I can't be angry with Sara, I feel sorry for Anna, I feel sympathetic to Kate, and I share the pain with Jesse.

I like that the writer portrays Anna as a star in Brian's perspective, and I like that the writer portrays Jesse as smoke in Jesse's perspective.

So is Sara a bad mother?
It depends on who has such a thought. What Sara wants is just for Kate to recover, but behind that she makes a mistake by neglecting the love for her other children. If Kate dies, she will lose Kate, but she will also lose her other children...


Fairness is not when one child is sick, then the other child must also experience the same illness.
Fairness is how to treat the other child as the mother treats her own children.

The future has been predetermined, the good news is that the future can be changed. But sometimes what we plan does not meet our expectations. (Quoting a quote from Cassie Holmes/Dakota Fanning in the movie PUSH hehe)

Basically, what is needed in addition to fighting is sincerity and resignation to God.

This story presents a complex moral dilemma. Sara's actions, driven by her love for Kate, raise questions about the boundaries of morality and the sacrifices we are willing to make for our loved ones. On one hand, her determination to save Kate is admirable, but on the other hand, her neglect of her other children cannot be ignored. The character of Anna also adds another layer of complexity. As a young girl, she is forced to make sacrifices for her sister's sake, but at what cost to her own well-being? The question of whether Sara is a bad mother is not a simple one to answer. It depends on one's perspective and values. However, what is clear is that this story makes us think about the importance of fairness, love, and sacrifice in our lives. It also reminds us that sometimes, the choices we make are not easy, and we have to live with the consequences.

A truly moving story unfolds, demonstrating how the powerful combination of modern medicine, family love, and a sense of duty can have a profound and life-altering impact on a young person. It is a tale that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you in awe.

The young individual in question found themselves facing a difficult situation that seemed insurmountable. However, with the unwavering support of their family and the remarkable advancements in modern medicine, a glimmer of hope emerged.

The family's love and dedication knew no bounds as they rallied around the young person, providing emotional strength and practical assistance every step of the way. Their sense of duty to ensure the well-being of their loved one was palpable.

As the story progresses, we witness the young person's transformation. With the help of modern medical treatments and the unwavering love of their family, they begin to overcome the challenges that once seemed so overwhelming.

The ending of this story is truly a "Oh wow!" moment. It is a testament to the power of love, duty, and the remarkable capabilities of modern medicine. It will leave you with a sense of wonder and a belief in the possibility of奇迹.

My Sister's Keeper Review

Book Rating: 5 stars out of 5.
Story Line: 5 stars out of 5.
Anna, a 13-year-old girl, wants to be medically emancipated from her parents. She has been giving her sister Kate, who has leukemia, a lot of things to keep her alive. However, she no longer wants to give her kidney. Anna was conceived specifically to be a donor for Kate, which is a rather disturbing concept. Her mother, Sara, has always focused mainly on Kate, neglecting her other children, Jesse and Anna. Jesse has developed problems and become an arsonist due to the lack of attention he received.
Anna goes to Campbell Alexander, a lawyer she saw in the paper, to file a lawsuit. Her mother initially thinks it's a joke but later realizes the seriousness of the situation. The judge assigns a guardian ad litem, Julia, to the case. Julia had been in love with Campbell. During the trial, Campbell argues that Kate wasn't the only one affected by the situation. Brian, the father, testifies for the defense but says he doesn't think Anna should be emancipated. Campbell passes out and has a seizure in court. Anna admits that Kate convinced her not to give her the kidney as Kate was tired of her life with constant relapses.
The judge rules in Anna's favor, but on the way home from the trial, they get into a car accident and Anna dies. Surprisingly, Kate ends up getting the kidney after all and has been in remission for the last 8 years. This book is truly amazing, with a heart-wrenching story that makes the reader fall in love with most of the characters. The ending is especially devastating.
Update - 3/22/18: I watched the movie, which was very different from the book. In the movie, Kate dies and Anna lives, contrary to the book. I didn't like the movie as much as the book as it deviated from the original story.
Characters: 5 stars out of 5.
Anna is an outstanding character who has been through a lot. She is tired of being Kate's backup and shouldn't have been forced to do so much. Jesse also has a difficult life and I felt sorry for him. Sara is a complex character. While she loves her children, her focus on Kate has led to neglect of the others. Brian is a great father who loves all his children equally. Julia and Campbell are supportive of Anna and add depth to the story. I have no strong feelings about Kate.
Favorite Quotes:
“I wondered what happened when you offered yourself to someone, and they opened you, only to discover you were not the gift they expected and they had to smile and nod and say thank you all the same.”
“It is the things you cannot see coming that are strong enough to kill you.”
“Let me tell you this: if you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it's not because they enjoy solitude. It's because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them.”
“It's disappointing to know that someone can see right through you.”
Writing Style: 5 stars out of 5.

This book is truly an emotional rollercoaster, with its well-written and riveting narrative.

The fact that it is told from different perspectives allows the reader to not only sympathize with but also understand each character on a deeper level. It makes it nearly impossible to pick a side.

I was completely engrossed in this hook right up until almost the very end. Then, unfortunately, it just seemed to take a turn for the stupid and ridiculous.

My rating of this book is as if it had ended about two chapters earlier, because in my mind, that's how I've decided it should have been.

The story begins with Anna, who was conceived to be a donor for her older sister, Kate. Kate was diagnosed with a rare and difficult-to-fight leukemia when she was just two years old. Now 13, Anna has endured a lifetime of needles, operations, and hospital admissions. She's not sick herself, but she might as well be. When Kate's kidneys start to fail and their mother Sara decides that Anna will give her one of hers, Anna finally reaches her breaking point. She hires lawyer Campbell Alexander to seek medical emancipation from her parents for the rights to her own body.

Each chapter skillfully swaps between the perspectives of Anna, her mum, her dad, her pyromaniac older brother Jesse, Campbell the lawyer, and Julia, her guardian ad-litem. It also includes flashbacks that take the reader all the way back to when Kate was first diagnosed, adding depth and complexity to the story.

Overall, despite its flawed ending, this book is a thought-provoking exploration of family, sacrifice, and the rights of the individual.

This book is featured on this week's Throwback Thursday @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2017/...

Leave it to Jodi Picoult to completely captivate me from the very first page to the last. I read this book way back in 2005 and vividly remember that I was completely engrossed. I simply couldn't put it down until I reached the final, shocking end.

Sara's daughter Kate is seriously ill. She has leukemia, and Sara is determined to do whatever it takes to keep her alive. When Anna is born, she soon becomes her sister Kate's savior. However, as time passes, Anna starts to yearn for a life of her own.

The words "If you have a sister and she dies, do you stop saying you have one? Or are you always a sister, even when the other half of the equation is gone?...I didn't come to see her because it would make me feel better. I came because without her, it's hard to remember who I am." really hit home.

A life is at stake, and family relationships spiral out of control when Anna files a lawsuit against her parents to be removed from the situation. It makes you wonder who is truly right when not one of them is certain about their own decisions on this highly controversial matter.

I was completely hooked on this book. It is written from multiple character viewpoints, which makes the story unfold at a rapid pace. Picoult has an amazing ability to twist a story in such a way that you can never predict what's coming next or how it will end. I absolutely love the way she writes, and she is definitely one of my favorite authors. This is just one of the many wonderful books she has written that I cherish.

My rating for this book is 5*****

This book was filled with numerous ethical and moral questions that truly made one stop and think.

Is it really appropriate to allow a child to donate organs? Can they truly give their informed consent? And if not, should they be permitted to donate other things like blood or bone marrow? Where exactly should the line be drawn?

If you were to pose these questions to ten different people, you would likely receive ten different answers. This is precisely what makes this story so captivating.

When looking at the situation more closely, I firmly believe that if the mother had managed the circumstances better, Anna would never have ceased providing her sister with what was necessary. The mother essentially saw Anna as a source of spare parts, and what's even worse is that she treated her as such. In my opinion, the mother had no right to be angry with Anna for not wanting to donate an organ. This kind of behavior is manipulative and incorrect. If there is a villain in this story, it is undoubtedly the mother, and there is a reason why the lives of her other two children were ruined.

Surely, it must be incredibly difficult to have a severely ill child, but to overlook the fact that you have other children with their own emotions and who need to grow and be children themselves is, in my view, a complete failure.

She also never took the time to ask Kate, the sick child, if she even wanted to continue with the treatments, and this aspect plays an important role in the story as well.

I adored Anna's lawyer, and we eventually discover the story behind why he took on Anna's case, which I also loved.

The ending was completely unexpected and heart-wrenching. In fact, I would say that the ending is what I liked the least because it felt as though Anna's entire life once again centered around being Kate's savior. Honestly, I wish it had ended differently.

Nevertheless, this book was excellent. I had wanted to read it for years but kept postponing it, and now I regret not reading it sooner.

Well.....that answers that: would I enjoy Jodi Picoult's writing? Answer: not really.

I found the story to be extremely long drawn out. There was very little substance in the heartbreaking story she was attempting to tell. A romance was thrown into the mix, but it brought nothing of value to the table and wasn't even a part of the main story. It seemed rather out of place.

The story behind the service dog was yet another red herring. It was a secret that didn't really need to be so mysterious. It just added unnecessary complication to the already convoluted plot.

Then, after all of that build-up, and we are left waiting to find out what the final decision will be.....suddenly the story changes tack. The author ends it in an incredibly lazy way. It felt like she just gave up and didn't put in the effort to come up with a more satisfying conclusion.

I'm glad I read a Jodi Picoult book. Now, when I see one of her titles, I don't have to wonder whether I might like it. I'll know that I probably wouldn't and can easily walk away without a second thought.

My Sister's Keeper is truly one of the most deeply heart wrenching stories I have ever had the privilege of reading. Anna's sister, Kate, is tragically dying from a rare and debilitating form of leukemia. Anna was conceived specifically as a genetic match with the hope of using her to save her sister's life. It was initially thought to be a one-time occurrence, but over the span of her 13 years, Anna has been called upon to donate not just once, but multiple times. Now, her sister is in desperate need of a kidney, and Anna has reached her breaking point. She has decided that she has had enough of being told exactly how to use her own body. In a bold and courageous move, she decides to sue her parents for medical emancipation and firmly refuses to give up her kidney. She is fully aware of the possible consequences that her actions may bring, but she is determined to be the one in control of her own choices, not her parents. What unfolds next is a harrowing and deeply moving tale, told from the perspectives of six different people who are all affected by Anna's momentous decision. I really cannot say too much more without giving away the precious details that make this story so captivating. However, I can wholeheartedly say that this is a must-read, although it is an undeniably emotional one.