My Sister's Keeper.

After reading the first half of My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, I learned that choosing one main character or protagonist isn't easy at all. The book is written so that each chapter is in the point of view of a different character. I also learned that all these characters are kind of going through the same problem. They all actually know each other and they actually know what the conflict is. One girl, Kate, has leukemia.

This story all takes place in Rhode Island in the year 2004.  I think the time period is kind of significant to the story because since one of the main characters of the book has leukemia, and since it's basically the main conflict of the book, I think modern day technology and treatments for the leukemia have to do with the time period. Doctors probably did not have the same treatments for cancer as they do now.

The way I would describe the two most important protagonists is a bit difficult. Anna, which is the sister of Kate, the girl that has leukemia, is extremely brave. And I think she is just basically able to accomplish anything she wants in life since she is so brave. I also think she is very independent. She had the guts to go to a judge by herself, with her own money, to sue her mom. Afterwards, she did get a punishment for that, which was a slap in the face. The way I would describe Kate would definitely be strong. For any person to go through such a horrible, painful, emotional experience and still manage to stay alive is just amazing. Although Kate's sister, Anna, basically is keeping Kate alive, I still would think that Kate is strong by just being alive. She is going through so much external conflict. Her external conflict would basically be just going through so much physical pain. The person that I think would be going through internal pain would be Anna. She doesn't even have a say in what her opinion is on keeping Kate alive. What if Anna doesn't want to donate blood? What if she doesn't want to give Kate one of her kidneys? Anna is hurting on the inside.

I think the poeple that are an active part of Anna and Kate's lives are their parents. Mostly, their mother. Since their father works as a firefighter, he is never home. The only exception would be if either Kate or Anna had an emergency. Their mother is home all the time. Ever since Kate has been diagnosed with leukemia, her mother has been by her side. I think she has been with Kate a lot more though. She doesn't really spend time with Anna. Kate is just always stressing her out, and making her worried about her. If Kate gets a bruise, or a nosebleed, or anything like that, they go straight to the hospital. And so does Anna. Anna goes to donate blood to her poor sister. Either way, I think the mother is a very good influence on both of her daughters. She shows them that she will be by their side until the day she dies.

In conclusion, this story is very complicated and emotional. Honestly, I think only a very mature teenager would be able to handle it. The details in this book are purely just amazing and so depressing. If I had to choose where to put this book in a teenage library, I'd definitely put it in the "adults" section. You just have to know that while you are reading this book, it gets very emotional and it just breaks your heart.