Recommended Reading: Ages 9 to 12

Baker, You and Leukemia: A Day at a Time

When a child is diagnosed with leukemia, this is the book for the child and family to read. You and Leukemia is written for children, but is often used by adults with leukemia, as well. It offers a basic, medically accurate explanation of all phases of leukemia—including the biology of the disease, its causes and effects, and therapeutic modalities.

Balkwill and Rolph, DNA is Here to Stay (Cells and Things)

A simple explanation of what DNA is and what it does in the body

Barber, Letters from a Friend: A Sibling Guide for Coping and Grief (Death, Value and Meaning Series)

Letters from a Friend provides a great deal for children in helping them cope with the loss of a sibling.

Berger, I Will Sing Life: Voices from the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

Children from age seven through 17 find reasons to sing at the camp that actor Newman founded and named after the hideout in his hit film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Although terminally ill, the campers are determined to live and do.

Chamberlain, My ABC Book of Cancer

Ten-year-old Shannon Chamberlain describes, in ABC format, her bout with cancer. The book concludes with a discussion of childhood cancer, suggested reading list, glossary, and resource guide.

Coerr, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

Hiroshima-born Sadako is lively and athletic--the star of her school's running team. And then the dizzy spells start. Soon gravely ill with leukemia, the "atom bomb disease," Sadako faces her future with spirit and bravery.

Dorfman, The C Word: Teenagers and Their Families Living with Cancer

Five teens with cancer, their families, and best friends are interviewed about the affects the disease has had on their lives.

Drescher, The Moon Balloon: A Journey of Hope and Discovery for Children and Families

The Moon Balloon is a gem of a book and will delight all who read it and experience the beautiful, empowering images. Imagery is a way for children to open to their healing potentials of mind, body, and spirit. This book can be used again and again to remind children of the power of their imagination in healing.

Duncan, When Molly Was in the Hospital: A Book for Brothers and Sisters of Hospitalized Children

Anna's little sister, Molly, has been very ill and had to have an operation. Anna tells us all about the experience from her point of view. This is sensitive, insightful, heartwarming story. A support and comfort for siblings and those who love them. The story is moving and rings with authenticity, for author Debbie Duncan based it on her family's personal experiences.

Gaes, My Book for Kids with Cansur: A Child's Autobiography of Hope

A young boy named Jason copes with Burkitt's lymphoma. He describes his successful two-year battle with cancer and offers advice to other cancer patients.

Ganz/Scofield, Life Isn't Always a Day at the Beach: A Book for All Children Whose Lives Are Affected by Cancer

Gootman, When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens about Grieving & Healing

The death of a friend is a wrenching event for anyone at any age. Teenagers especially need help coping with this painful loss. This sensitive book answers questions grieving teens often have, like "How should I be acting?" "Is it wrong to go to parties and have fun?" "What is 'normal'?" and "What if I can't handle my grief on my own?"

Homer, Chemo Crusader and the Cancer Fighting Crew

This full color booklet has been developed for school-age children who have recently been diagnosed with cancer. The booklet uses superheroes - Chemo Crusader and Ray D. Ashun a.k.a. "Xray Ray" to explain cancer, its treatment and accompanying side effects in a simple and non-threatening way.

Jackson, Can you Hear Me Smiling?: A Child Grieves a Sister

The book's author recounts with honesty, tenderness, and courage the story of her older sister's illness, passing and the range of emotions she experienced during this difficult time

Klein, Healing Images for Children: Teaching Relaxation and Guided Imagery to Children Facing Cancer and Other Serious Illnesses

Keen and Romain Chemo, Craziness & Comfort

This book provides practical advice for children diagnosed with cancer between 6 and 12 years of age. Warm and funny illustrations and easy-to-read text help the child (and parents) make sense of cancer and it's treatment

Krementz, How it Feels to Fight for your Life

Children face-to-face with severe body damage and potential death just when they have begun to live are Krementz's focus in her latest book of profiles, illustrated with her black-and-white photographs. The 14 children, ranging in age from seven to 16, are working hard, with their families and doctors, to achieve triumphs large and small over what has befallen them. Some have cancer, kidney, respiratory or heart ailments. Others have been in accidents and are burned or paralyzed. Krementz has succeeded admirably in getting the kids to "tell it like it is."

Landier, A Port for Me

This book follows a real life child through her experience of getting a port placed. The real photographs will help another child getting a port see what it all will look like. This is a great book for all ages.

Landier, My Pic Line

Leukemia Society of America, I'm Having a Bone Marrow Transplant

London, Froggy Goes to the Doctor

Froggy's nervousness subsides and the check-up turns cheeky when he engages in his trademark antics.

Loranger-Kuntz, Your Body and G-CSF

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in cancer chemotherapy.

Mellonie, Lifetimes: A Beautiful Way to Explain Life and Death to Children

Schwiebert, Tear Soup

Tear Soup recognizes and reinforces the fact that every member of the family from the youngest to the oldest will grieve in their own way. Taking their own time and in doing so, find those things which help them best. Essentially, we each make our own batch of Tear Soup when we grieve the loss of someone we love or for any major change in our lives.

Scott, Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand

Using rhymes and bright, whimsical pictures, Alex and The Amazing Lemonade Stand tells a sweet, true story of a little girl named Alex.

Stepnek, Journey through Heartsongs

This book of poetry is written by an 11 year old boy who is living with cancer. He stimulates the reader to examine the really important things in life... to embrace life.

Sunnenblick, Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie

This novel deals with the trials and tribulations of being a teenager with cancer.

Trillin, Dear Bruno

In 1979, Alice Trillin, who three years earlier had been diagnosed with a malignant lung tumor, received a call from good friend Annie telling her that Annie's 12-year-old son, Bruno, also had cancer. Alice's response was a letter to Bruno in which she tried to show that it was possible to talk about cancer in a tone that was frank, honest, and funny. Children and adults struggling with the 'why me?' of cancer will find in this book a realistic, funny, and somehow, reassuring exploration of the fight for survival.

Ulman, No Way, It Can't Be

A Guidebook for Young Adults Facing Cancer

Viorst, The Tenth Good Thing About Barney

In an attempt to overcome his grief, a boy tries to think of the ten best things about his dead cat.

Wolford, My Story About Cancer

An uplifting story of one boy's experience with cancer.