Understanding cancer

32C, That’s Me, by Chris Higgins

“Jess has it all - gorgeous boyfriend, the lead in the school play and Ali, her dependable best friend. Then her mum is diagnosed with breast cancer and Jess’s world is turned upside down. No-one understands what she’s going through. Jess soon realises that maybe having it all isn’t what really matters.”

What’s Up with Richard? MediKidz explain leukaemia, What’s Up with Lyndon? MediKidz explain osteosarcoma, What’s Up with Tiffany’s Dad? MediKidz explain melanoma, What’s Up with Rachel? MediKidz explain brain tumours and What’s Up with Bridget’s Mum? MediKidz explain breast cancer, by Kim Chilman-Blair & John Taddeo

The MediKidz comic novel series helps children learn about health and disease in an exciting, non-threatening way, blending fun with fact.

What You Need to Know about Cancer, by Christopher Forest

“Cancer can be a scary word. But the more you know about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of cancer, the better equipped you are to understand this disease. Clear, concise information breaks down the disease, the experience of having it, or relating to someone who has cancer.”

The Best Medicine, by Christine Hamill

“Philip is 12 years old and life is pretty good. He gets on with his mum and gets by pretty well at school - in spite of girl problems, teacher problems, bully problems and - er - poetry problems. Philip’s happy-go-lucky life is disrupted when his mother gets breast cancer. Bad enough that your mother is seriously ill - but could she not have developed a less embarrassing kind of cancer - toe cancer, maybe, or ear cancer?

“Philip’s attempt to cope with his situation are both hilarious and touching. Through it all, he’s writing letters to his hero, the comedian Harry Hill, looking for advice. Harry Hill remains stonily silent, and Philip has to get by without his advice. In the end, though, Harry Hill comes up trumps, Philip gets to do a comedy routine with him, and Philip’s mum and her cancer-mates get to have a good time too.”

The Honest Truth, by Dan Gemeinhart

“Mark has been in and out of hospital his whole life - and he’s fed up. So when his cancer returns, he decides he’s had enough. Running away with his dog Beau, he sets out to climb a mountain - and it’s only when he’s left everything behind that Mark realises he has everything to live for.”

The Famous Hat, by Kate Gaynor & Ruth Keating

“This book has been designed to help children with leukaemia (or other forms of cancer) to prepare for treatment, namely chemotherapy, and a stay in hospital.”

I’m a Superhero, by Daxton Wilde

“Written by four-year-old Daxton Wilde with the help of his mother while he was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for a brain tumour, the book places Wilde as the central character, a superhero, fighting “a bad guy named Cancer” with the help of “Captain Chemo.””

I Know Someone with Cancer, by Sue Barraclough

“This series presents common behavioural and physiological health issues in a simple and inclusive way. It demystifies common health issues and also helps afflicted children feel as though they aren’t alone.”

The Fault in our Stars, by John Green

“Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.”