Diary of a Dying Girl: Adapted from Salt in My Soul

Gr 9 Up–Smith was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at a young age. While her life may have been short (she died aged 25), she knew her thoughts, feelings, and experiences would be powerful connections for others well beyond her years. As such, she kept careful diaries not only about her health but also her relationships and passions in life. This bold, heartbreaking, and inspiring collection of diary entries follows Smith from high school through college, as well as post-lung transplant. Her mother, boyfriend, and others also contributed to the entries to provide context when Smith’s voice is not available. The writing is raw and honest, detailing things any young adult could relate to, from the early days of dating to her frustrations at not making captain of the volleyball team. Yet Smith also shares the fear and unease of dealing with medical issues that might help young readers who dealing with such things that the general population of their peers might not be able to relate to.