FlumeAward – The Fault in Our Stars The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
This is an excellent book for high school students. We just read it in my Teen Book club. It handles a tough subject, cancer and death, very well. Real tearjerker. Good for both boys and girls. Barb Ballou, New Boston
Although my experience with cancer is limited to grandparents, this book’s depictions really resonated. The last quarter of it lagged a little to me, but that’s my only complaint. Love the writing and the characters – and yes, it made me cry. Agree with Barb that it’s a great book for both genders and that it handles the intertwined subjects of death, cancer, young love, and the effects of cancer on loved ones very well. -Molly Milazzo, Bow
John Green has created another masterpiece! This touching story evokes both sadness and laughter and develops characters you aren’t likely to soon forget. A perfect book for the Flume list. Molly’s comment perfectly summarizes the themes of this not-to-be-missed young adult book. I vote a resounding YES for this title!
Lisa Houde – Rye Public Library
I have not been able to get my hands on this book because it is always out. It is hot, hot, hot! Avid John Green fans have been very happy with it. If I get a chance to read it, I’ll update this post, but dozens of teens can’t be wrong!
Kathy Pearce — Oyster River HS
Excellent book for this age group. Sad, funny, inspirational, and deep. I needed a box of tissues at the end but that’s because I had grown tolove these characters so much. A great book for Flume.
-Amy INglis Barrington
I love this book, but I love almost everything John Green touches. He writes characters who are both completely relateable but simultaneously way too much at the same time, but in a good way, if that’s possible. The emotion in the story is intense and wonderful. Of the books on the nomination list that I’ve read, this is by far my favorite. (Sophie Smith, Nashua Public Library)
This book has been ungettable at Wiggin too! My 9th graders actually got into a wrestling match over this book, and I had to step in & parcel out other John Green books to settle them down. Rave reviews from all readers so far, male & female, from 14-17 years old. I’ll read it eventually, but just from the enthusiasm from my teens, I say this is a must-add! Lucia Von Letkemann, Wiggin Memorial Library, Stratham 1/16/13
We have a winner. I don’t need to say more than that. Put it on the list-it will never be on your shelf. Any gender or age will like it.
Kathy Watson, Kimball Library
I have recommended this book to a variety of students and faculty. Each person has come back to me and told me he/she loved it. What a fabulous book about living with cancer, rather than dying from cancer. Sharon Flesher, Nashua High South
Wow, this was such a moving story of friendship, death and love. Warning: This a many tissue book and incredibly sad. My own experience with cancer in a family makes me realize how very realistic Green handles this topic. What’s special about this book is there’s so many funny moments between Hazel and Augustus in a strange but wonderful relationship. Hazel and Augustus (Gus) meet in a cancer support group that Hazel loathes. Until Gus showed up and fell for her. And we, the reader, starts to care and we root for them and feel all the loss they feel.
Late stage cancer is no laughing matter, but Green finds the humor in the the most mundane ways. This book could have easily been too tragic and overwrought. But Green keeps the story genuine and heartfelt.
Mary Ann Rogers, Pelham High School
Bright, witty conversation, along with the pain of teens living with cancer. A welcome variation from Green’s usual unattainable woman books, although, one could argue that falling in love with a girl with cancer is falling in love with someone with whom one can have no future.
Hazel is dying of cancer. She must always be hooked up to oxygen, and has her lungs emptied of fluid fairly regularly. She meets Augustus at a cancer support group. He is in remission, but lost his leg to cancer years ago. A recipe for disaster? Could be, but John Green makes it believable, and I really enjoyed spending time with Hazel and Augustus! Great for girls and boys, even if it is told from Hazel’s perspective.
Kirsten Rundquist Corbett, Lane Memorial Library, Hampton
book of the decade! KA/ACML
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