Reviews

Setelah Aku Pergi - Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls

kim_j_dare's review against another edition

5.0

Grades 4-7
Sally Nicholls is such an amazing writer. I went right into this after reading her Season of Secrets (also 5 stars), and have to admit, the subject matter had me a little leery. This is one of this year's Virginia Readers' Choice nominees, and what middle grader is going to want to read a story where we know that in the end, the main character dies from leukemia? But it's not about the end, is it? It's about all the stuff that happens before "the end," and Sam is such a compelling, warm, funny 11-year-old that readers will quickly get caught up in his life and his various adventures with family and friends. Yes, there are sad bits, but there are silly bits and joyful bits and it's just an altogether wonderful and ultimately uplifting book. Read it, read it, read it.

the_dead_king's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.5

snowonirori's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

lindseyembry33's review against another edition

5.0

"By the time you read this, I will probably be dead."

This was the sentance that caught my eye at first. Was this person in trouble? Had they been kidnapped and given up on all hope? The answer to all of these is no. Sam has cancer. And he wants to know all about the world and the things that he will miss once he is gone. He has friends and a family that care about him, but the only one who really gets him is Robert, his best friend who also has cancer. The book takes you through the closing of Sam's life as he tires to complile a book of lists, because Sam really likes lists. Even lists that include him dying. This was a touching book that was well written from Sam's perspective.

irnatifani's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

bayreutherhell's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

kanatakara's review against another edition

5.0

So many feels!!

lollythegiant's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

beyondwoodlands's review against another edition

4.0

I should give this a reread now that I'm much older but I read this when I was around eleven and oh did it destroy me. The little notes, lists, letters, postcards, and drawings just make the reading experience so much more personal and painful.

very_confused_duck's review against another edition

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75