As soon as Sarah Benwell's exquisite debut novel opens, readers know that narrator Sora, 17, is dying of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). What makes Sora's journey so all-consuming for readers is the way he grapples with the question of how to live the days he has left. In many ways, Sora's story is a guide to living a meaningful life, and the importance of family, friendship and self-knowledge.
Benwell crafts her novel with the spareness of haiku. She uses Sora's observations of nature to convey his feelings in a way that never seems ponderous. The book takes place in the fall, when warm days grow rare and daylight shorter. Sora views the Kyoto park he loves from the bridge, watching for his favorite koi, Emperor Fish; its elusiveness and appearances reflect Sora's fluctuations in moods, his good and bad days. In a chat room, he meets Mai and Kaito, and the trio's resolve to be completely honest takes their friendship to ever deeper levels. Readers see Dr. Kobayashi, Sora's counselor, through Sora's eyes but will perceive in ways Sora cannot how carefully she weighs her words. She supports Sora, while still being realistic and compassionate. Sora, in turn, finds compassion for his mother, on whom he must rely to a greater degree each day. He resents his loss of independence but learns to accept her help with grace.
Again, like a haiku, the author closes with a beautiful surprise, one that lifts Mai, Kaito and Sora--and readers--to a new level of understanding. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness