May you always find hope. May you always find life in the little moments. When you are feeling split in two, remember that you are still just one and your life is worth living.

A heart-wrenching middle grade story in verse about a family facing cancer over and over again due to a genetic mutation. The characters feel authentic and the protagonist's struggles will be very relatable to young readers. Have tissues handy while reading!

Cass's dad has been dealing with cancer for almost a decade. At his most recent trip to the hospital, she overhears the doctor's saying that Cass might have the gene that could make her get cancer over and over again, too. She struggles between being supportive of her dad, trying to decide if she should get the test, and being a good friend. As she sees what her dad is going through, it makes it harder for her to decide whether or not to get the test.

I thought this was such an interesting perspective to take for a book. There are several books with kids dealing with cancer in their family, and a few who are dealing with it themselves. But this book is unique in how it presents the option for a young person to find out whether or not they're more susceptible to cancer. The power of knowing is sometimes a burden.

The Hope of Elephants is a beautiful middle grade novel in verse. It's an important story the explores the effects of terminal illness on a family and how children must learn to cope and adapt and try to carve out some happiness for themselves. I was somewhat surprised by the prominent role that religion plays in the novel and typically middle grade novels tend to shy away from this, but I think this is something that many readers will be able to relate to. Cass must navigate some difficult decisions like to play on the team and risk bringing home germs or not, whether to to give up on the World Series or not, and most importantly whether to have a gene test or not. The repetitive nature of Cass's list of pros and cons makes it clear how much this last decision weighs on her because the stakes are so high. I found myself rooting for Cass and unable to put this novel down.

I haven’t read many books in verse, but this was so great!!! This story was so touching with how it handled and addressed a terminal illness, but left me wanting so much more at the end.

This book is a collection of poems that tells a compelling and important story. The presentation of each of the poems enhanced the narrative and made it more dynamic revealing the complexity of relationships and the subject matter covered. Although the story is heart-wrenching, the book is incredibly enjoyable.

What a heartfelt story about Cass and her family coping with her dad’s cancer. Cass remembers dad telling her “there’s something good in every situation.” When her dad’s cancer returns, she finds out there’s a 50% chance of her inheriting the same gene mutation. Cass and her dad have an annual tradition of attending the World Series, and she’s worried it won’t happen this year. She reminds herself, “life is hopes, dreams…and miracles.” She comes up with an idea for them to attend. Will it happen? Will dad be still around for it to happen?