Book Review: The Hope of Elephants by Amanda Rawson Hill

5⭐
Genre ~ middle grade
Setting ~ Utah
Publication date ~ September 6, 2022
Publisher ~ Charlesbridge
Est Page Count ~ 481
POV ~ single 1st written in verse
Featuring ~ based on true events with facts, Dad with cancer, lovely friendships

My review:

Cass’s (12) father has cancer. It’s nothing particularly new to the family since he gets it again and again every other year. But now this year is different. They learn that he carries a gene that Cass has a 50% chance of having, Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Cass will need to decide if she would like to be tested or not, so she makes a pros and cons list. Is it better to know so plans can be made or do you just live life to the fullest and whatever will be will be?

We have to remember that Cass is just a kid, too. She’s a preteen and battles with her mom, as mothers and daughters do at this tricky age. She is home-schooled, so there is less risk of bringing germs into their home. She does play on a baseball team and a big part of the story is her wanting to go to the World Series. This could come across as selfish, but this is something the family has done for 7 years straight. This year it might not be possible. She struggles with losing this tradition and tries her hardest to make it happen.

While I don’t carry this particular gene or have cancer, at least I don’t think so, I do know what it’s like to carry a gene that could potentially be passed on to your child. There are so many emotions that go along with this and the emotions are high in this book.

Don’t be intimidated by the page count. Since it’s written in verse each page is not filled to the brim, so it goes along rather quickly. This is my first time reading a book this way.

Overall, this was a heartbreaking, beautifully inspiring book. The friendships and support system she has are quite lovely.
“And life is real. It really is. And it’s beautiful.”

The author’s note is worth the read stating this story was true to her family. Her brother in law sadly passed away from Li-Fraumeni syndrome and the gene was unfortunately passed on to his daughter. Did you know that elephants have 20 copies of the cancer fighting p53 gene?

Add to your never ending TBR  ~ goodreads

I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read it.

Book blurb:

An inspiring coming-of-age novel in verse about weathering the uncertainty that comes with family illness perfect for fans of Starfish and Red, White, and Whole.

Cass and her parents haven’t let her dad’s cancer stop them from having a good life—full of love and poems and one annual World Series game. Now that Dad’s cancer is back, Cass overhears the doctor say that she has a 50% chance of inheriting her dad’s genetic mutation, Li-Fraumeni syndrome. There’s a genetic test Cass can take that will tell her for sure. There’s still so much she wants to do—play baseball, study at the zoo, travel the world with her best friend, Jayla. Would it be better not to know?

When it turns out Dad’s cancer is worse this time, Cass is determined to keep up their World Series tradition while navigating all the change and uncertainty that lies ahead.

Poignant and powerful, Cass’s story brings the pains and anxiety linked with illness to the surface, and reminds us that sometimes hope is worth holding on to.

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