My Sister's Keeper

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Jodi Picoult
Format: Paperback
Pages: 500 (varies)
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Summary (From Goodreads): Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate -- a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister -- and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.

My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? Should you follow your own heart, or let others lead you? Once again, in My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult tackles a controversial real-life subject with grace, wisdom, and sensitivity.

My take: I'll admit it, I picked up this book because I saw the movie when it was in theaters (so long ago, right?). If you're not reading it because you saw the movie, I seriously suggest that you do. The book is so much different than the movie is! So so so so different. (Could I be anymore insipid...) I don't want to give spoilers away, but it is a tear-jerking heart breaking novel. I think I actually cried more during the novel than I did in the movie. Which is something of a feat, because I rarely cry during novels.(Though I do have my few that unfailingly make me ball like a baby...) The only thing that kept this book from a solid ten out of ten was the changing perspectives. I hate changing perspectives. In some books it works, and I'm not saying it doesn't in this one, but I'm just not a fan. Also keeping it from a perfect score was all the medical terms and information. I get it, essential to the story and what not, but a few times I had no idea what they were talking about. I'm one of those people who will look it up though, but I know a lot of people don't. I flew through this book, but it did have a few dry parts. Probably essential to the story, but I just wanted to get back to the main events. All in all, I suggest you read this, because the difference from the movie and novel is somewhat -for lack of a better term - humourous. 

Final take: If you read this book, make sure you have a box of tissues beside you... it's a heart breaker.