'The Best Medicine' by Christine Hamill
Hmmm...a book about cancer you say? Surely that's going to be pretty heavy going? Maybe the subject is a bit too tough for kids in their early teens...think again.
Phillip's mum is acting weird. She keeps crying, obsessing over her diet, the house is a mess and she keeps flipping out. It's not like her at all. Up until now, Phillip has had a pretty ok life, both at home and school, but then comes the day he finds out his mum has breast cancer.
This is a fantastically human take on how a cancer diagnosis can affect the life of not only the sufferer but the family too. Despite being about a difficult subject the story is full of humour - with Phillip aspiring to be a stand-up comedian just like Harry Hill. The story is told in part through some of his letters to Harry Hill seeking advice and guidance about all elements of his life - comedy, love, cancer and friendship.
This book encompasses so much more than being a book just about cancer though. Being told through the eyes of a 12 year old boy, we also have a window into his life in the broader sense. We experience the challenges of school life - homework, bullies, crushes and friendship difficulties. It feels very honest and not at all forced.
I would definitely recommend this book for children 11+, any younger and I think that they may struggle to relate to some of the early adolescent themes. It had a brilliant balance of humour and sadness - I laughed and cried.