The Brilliant Light of Amber Sunrise

Life threatening cancer brings two teens together in this story about moving through the trajectory of illness and loss and then beyond it (Bulletin, starred review) in the bestselling tradition of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. Francis is determined to forge his own way in school and life despite his loony, awkward, broken family…and noticeable lack of friends. Then he is diagnosed with leukemia. It wasn’t part of his strategy, but there are moments when he can see the upside. After all, people are nice to you when you’re sick.

While in the hospital, Francis meets Amber. She’s outspoken and sarcastic, and Francis falls for her almost immediately. Together, they take on the other cancer ward patients, overbearing mothers, and treatments with a positive attitude and lively wit.

But Francis’s recovery is taking a different path from Amber’s. He’s actually getting better. And although he knew who he was before cancer, before Amber, now he has no idea how to live–or how to let go…