A review by szeglin
Sugar Isn't Everything by Willo Davis Roberts

5.0

My mom bought this for me at my school book fair when I was a newly diagnosed diabetic. I was very angry at her for this. I had to think about my disease all the time without a book to remind me. I eventually read the book, because I felt guilty about not reading it. Then I read it again, and then again... it was probably one of the first books I read repeatedly.

I just reread it again, many years later. I can see how I connected with it so well. Amy is older than I was when I was diagnosed, but the confusion, anger, and despair is still there. It never really goes away, either. I definitely noticed the "support" part more this time. It's basically a how-to for learning diabetes management (such as it was with the state of treatment in the 80s) and learning how to cope with your feelings. The instructional material is well integrated into the story. Some characters are not as fleshed out as I would like, but this did not matter to me when I was 7.

This is still an excellent book for newly-diagnosed young diabetics and their families, too--especially siblings.