Perseverance by Carolyn Rubenstein

About the Book:

Can you imagine being in high school or college and suddenly learning you have cancer? You thought you had a lifetime ahead of you and the whole world at your feet, but suddenly you’re told… maybe not. How would you cope?

That’s the question the twenty young people in this book had to answer when they were diagnosed with childhood cancer. Perseverance shares life lessons learned through their stories and educates the reader on how to incorporate them into his/her life. It tells of their trials and tribulations, of their triumphs, and of the unique challenges that day-to-day life brings them. Perseverance also provides an intimate look at the lives and journeys of these young people and how their courage and strength have affected the lives of others.

These honest, first-person accounts lend amazing depth to the inspiring stories of these young men and women. Inside, you’ll meet Zac York, who tells of climbing Mount Whitney—on crutches—after battling brain cancer. You’ll meet Alex Oden, who—just days after brain surgery—gave his 8th grade peers a graduation speech called “A Day Well Spent,” in which he challenged them to make a difference in just one day. You’ll meet Kristen Jones, who, while battling leukemia, was able to pass the MCAT and pursue her dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist.

Twenty unique and fascinating stories, with one common theme: perseverance. The stories of these heroes demonstrate how anyone can learn to live with energy and passion, regardless of the obstacles to be faced, and will remind us all that now is everything.

Get more information about this book here.

My Review:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom,.." Do you think you can learn from a child? Well, if you answer No to that question you'd better think again. In this book Carolyn interviews 20 now young adults that survived childhood cancer. In this book you well learn from these survivors many things. Most of all you'll find that they were fighters and persevered. They refused to give up hope. They were able to rise to the challenge that cancer had for them and they beat it. You'll find each person's story inspirational in its own way. Here are 10 things that you should be able to come away with after reading these 20 life stories:

• Attitude counts
• Live a healthy lifestyle
• Find out what your options are
• Get a support team
• Ask for help
• Laugh
• Have faith
• Enjoy life
• Don't give up
• Help others

Time and time again these survivors resound with a positive attitude. Though going through much pain and suffering in their treatments they were determined to beat cancer and they did. They had many challenges along the road but they overcame. They Persevered! They conquered. They all want to give back to others because they were given to in time of need. They all resound they wouldn't change their past if they could. Like Dickens they can say,

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom,..