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Skin Deep

Name: Skin Deep
Author: Diersch, Sandra , London, Gerri
ISBN: 9781552774748

by Diersch, Sandra, London, Gerri

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Overview

Sometimes it's about more than a perfect fit...

When her mother suddenly announces that she has breast cancer, Cori's world seems to end. Things that once seemed so important to her no longer matter—it's hard to care if your hair is flat-ironed when your mother's is falling out due to chemo. For Corinne, this summer she is learning who she really is underneath, and who her real friends are.

Hot on the heels of her previous YA novel, Out, acclaimed children's writer Sandra Diersch tackles another tough issue in Skin Deep. To do so, she turned to her former teacher and breast cancer survivor Gerri London for help. Gerri draws on her own experiences to provide the touching journal entries of Cori's mother. These serve to shape the novel and give each of the characters lives of their own.

About the Author, Diersch, Sandra , London, Gerri

Sandra Diersch has taught special education to British Columbia students and has written several books, including Offside! and Home Court Advantage, both Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice selections. She lives in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

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Editorials

CM Magazine

"While sustaining the importance of hope and a positive attitude when faced with breast cancer, Diersch and London are equally skilled at communicating the serious nature of this disease and are explicit in some of the more devastating consequences of treatment Perfectly suited for both avid and reluctant readers interested in the subject. Highly Recommended."

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"Rings true as London is a breast cancer survivor herself. Corinne is a well-developed character and the writing moves you to cry along with her...A quick and easy read that many won't put down until it's done."

Children's Literature - Joella Peterson

Corinne wants nothing more than to be popular and nab the attention of Jevon, the high school heartthrob. Corinne and her best friend Romi make all sorts of plans to improve their social standings—from smoking to makeovers. However, just as Corinne starts the summer break she learns that there are bigger things to worry about: her mom has breast cancer. Corinne starts to juggle more responsibilities (and the disappointment of having to go to summer school) with figuring out to relate to her best friend who has what seems like an easy summer in comparison. Since one of the authors is a breast cancer survivor, readers will know that the glimpse of how this disease haunts families is real. On the surface this could be just a story about a family dealing with cancer. However, readers can also see how the dynamics of relationships can change as easily as the amount of energy a cancer patient has on a given day, how relationships with old friends are often harder than relationships with new friends, and how potential romance is more complicated due to confusion between "love" and "support." This book is real, and for reluctant readers, thankfully short in regard to page length. Reviewer: Joella Peterson