My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult | Teen Ink

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult MAG

September 18, 2009
By erical BRONZE, Miami Beach, Florida
erical BRONZE, Miami Beach, Florida
2 articles 0 photos 0 comments

I'm sure that I am not the only person who reads the news about a boy being killed in Massachusetts or a toddler being taken from his home in the middle of the night and thinks, Wow, how terrible for that family! or, How tragic! I don't doubt that if I came across a news story explaining how a 12-year-old girl sued her parents for the rights to her body (even though this may kill her cancer-ridden sister), I would think, How could she do that to her parents? When I began reading this book, that was my immediate reaction to Anna Fitzgerald's story. How could I possibly empathize with a girl who is willing to let her sister die just for the right to make her own decisions about her body? But Jodi Picoult really does make us empathize with Anna.

I never saw myself as someone who could enjoy a serious book. The point of this book is not just to paint a picture of the pain the entire Fitzgerald family has gone through since their older daughter Kate was diagnosed with cancer at four. It also focuses on the trial that Anna pursues to get the rights to decide how she will use her own organs.

Many authors write novels trying to get the reader to relate and to inspire. My Sister's Keeper does both. I can't help sounding cheesy but this book truly makes you appreciate the power of unconditional love and the amount of effort it takes to keep a family together.

After reading this I decided to read Jodi Picoult's other novels and one theme she often uses is viewing situations from the “bad” guy's perspective. It is difficult to read and hear Anna's side of the story and not feel for her. She is a young adult begging for the responsibility for and rights to her body. This isn't an insane request, except that by requesting this, she is risking her sister's life.

This is the kind of book that really affects the way you act and think. I know I am always fighting with parents or others for the right to be responsible for myself, so in many ways I can relate to Anna's story.

I would definitely recommend this novel for its outstanding ability to portray human emotions and unconditional love in the toughest of situations. Jodi Picoult did an amazing job at inspiring the reader in My Sister's Keeper.


JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 4 comments.


ELM522 DIAMOND said...
on Jul. 16 2010 at 6:51 pm
ELM522 DIAMOND, Selden, New York
79 articles 0 photos 139 comments

Favorite Quote:
"All those other girls, well they're beautiful, but would they write a song for you?"-"Hey Stephen" by Taylor Swift

You  can REALLY appreciate and break down the concept of a deep book! I've never read this book, but you just convinced me to read it! Five stars! It's flawless and let me tell you, I don't normally rate  article five stars!

toflyaway said...
on Apr. 28 2010 at 5:10 am
toflyaway, Melbourne, Other
0 articles 0 photos 85 comments

Favorite Quote:
"You're Bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret, all the best people are" -Alice In Wonderland (2010)

I loved your review :) My very first Jodi Picoult book was My Sister's Keeper and I was hooked. I've now read about 14 of her books :)

on Oct. 9 2009 at 9:38 am
I also think that this book looks like it would be very good to read. Also it might open peoples eyes if they read stories like this one.

micky123 said...
on Sep. 27 2009 at 11:02 am
After reading your review i decided to read the book. It was soooooo good your right thanks