My Sister's Keeper

Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult is widely acclaimed for her keen insights into the hearts and minds of real people. Now she tells the emotionally riveting story of a family torn apart by conflicting needs and a passionate love that triumphs over human weakness.
Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate — a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister — and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.
My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? Should you follow your own heart, or let others lead you? Once again, in My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult tackles a controversial real-life subject with grace, wisdom, and sensitivity.

Years ago when this book first came out, it blew me away. I absolutely loved it and recommended it to everyone. My neighbors, family members, and friends also loved it. The end of the book has such a twist to it, I never saw it coming. For those of you who may have seen the movie (great movie, but not like the book, especially the ending and the story about the brother), the book is a thousand times better. Jodi Picoult is an amazing writer and known for tackling controversial issues that make us really challenge our thinking. The book is somewhat made up of 5 books within in a book as each main character takes turns telling the story from their point of view. I loved this book so much, that when Jodi visited my favorite bookstore in Dayton (www.booksandcompany.com), I had to call at once and request a signed book (of course it was my sisters keeper). I now own two copies and someday will pass a copy to down to each daughter.

Another favorite Picoult book of mine is Nineteen Minutes.