Children's Reading List

Bone marrow and cord blood transplants

Stevie's New Blood, by Kathryn Ulberg Lilleby, 2002.
This is the story of a bone marrow transplant from a child's perspective. This book helps a child understand his own or someone else's marrow or blood cell transplant. The book also includes detailed notes for older children and parents.
Age: Appropriate for ages 6 to adult.
Cost: $9 plus shipping and handling. Available through the Oncology Nursing Society at http://esource.ons.org/Publications/Publications.aspx?c=9.

Me and My Marrow: A Kid's Guide to Bone Marrow Transplants, by Karen Crowe, 1999.
The inspiration for this book is a 10-year-old who wanted other children and teens to have age-and content-appropriate information about bone marrow or blood cell transplants. Children with leukemia are quoted and discuss how they felt physically and emotionally. Children and the author discuss information and ideas about day-to-day issues such as changes in body appearance and boredom.
Age: Appropriate for ages 8 to adult.
Cost: Free. Available online at http://www.astellas.us/pncr/books.php.

Hi, My Name is Jack: A Book for the Healthy Siblings of Chronically Ill Children, by Christina Beall-Sullivan, MS, RN, 2000.
This story speaks to a healthy child's feelings of jealousy, unfairness and confusion that might result from attention that a chronically ill sibling receives from family, friends and medical staff.
Age: Appropriate for ages 6 to 10.
Cost: $12.95 plus shipping and handling. Available at www.himynameisjack.com.

Zink, by Cherie Bennett, 1999.
This book is written as part diary, part imaginative tale of a 10-year-old girl diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia and the treatment she receives, including chemotherapy and a related bone marrow transplant. The patient travels not only to the hospital but also to Africa to find courage to face leukemia and the bone marrow transplant.
Age: Appropriate for ages 10 and up.
Cost: $4.99 plus shipping and handling.

Leukemia

Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Guide for Families, Friends and Caregivers, 2nd ed., by Nancy Keene, Linda Lamb, editor, 2000.
This book offers practical information about how your life is affected by leukemia. Each chapter is devoted to subjects such as follow-up care, relationships and insurance information from patients, friends and family of patients.
Age: Appropriate for teens to adults.
Cost: $24.95 plus shipping and handling.

One Day at a Time: Children Living with Leukemia, by Thomas Bergman, 1989.
Thomas Bergman, photographer, portrays through photographs and words a view of children's experiences with treatment for leukemia. This book is recommended to prepare parents, children and other family members for upcoming medical treatment.
Age: Appropriate for ages 8 to adult.
Cost: $17.95 plus shipping and handling.

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, by Eleanor Coerr, 1999, reprint from 1977.
This book tells the story of a Japanese child diagnosed with leukemia. The reader will learn Japanese legends about health and the courage of a 12-year-old struggling with leukemia.
Age: Appropriate for ages 12 and up.
Cost: $4.99 plus shipping and handling.

For parents

Childhood Cancer Survivors, A Practical Guide to Your Future, Nancy Keene, Wendy Hobbie & Kathy Ruccione, 2000.
This book is for the parents or caregiver of a child who has survived cancer. It offers a complete guide on how to take care of a child who has survived cancer. The stories of cancer survivors are included, along with practical medical guidelines on follow-up care to reduce late-effects and developmental issues that survivors face as they grow older.
Age: Adults.
Cost: $27.95 plus shipping and handling.