Radiate

Gr 9 Up–When Hayley Matthews earns a spot on the varsity cheerleading team, she has everything she’s ever wanted, including the attention of the most popular boy in school. But during exhaustive practices, Hayley finds a lump on her leg that turns out to be cancer, and she must forgo cheerleading camp for treatment in Birmingham, AL. She faces her circumstances with fierce determination and a positive attitude. When she returns to school, her friends are supportive and welcome her back on the team, and her boyfriend is affectionate, even when Hayley loses her hair to chemotherapy. Then her parents, who are already struggling financially, have a stack of medical bills to pay, and a friend receives a diagnosis of advanced leukemia. At nearly 400 pages, the novel still reads quickly, sometimes too quickly, as Hayley’s narration often lacks depth. Nevertheless, her determination is inspiring and uplifting and challenges readers to embrace the power of positive thinking in the face of life’s obstacles.–Kimberly Garnick Giarratano, Rockaway Township Public Library, NJ