Cam Cooper has been in and out of hospitals for the last seven years while fighting neuroblastoma cancer. Near the end of her senior year she is told that there is nothing left that can be done and her cancer is incurable. Cam’s mom and sister are not willing to give up and plan a summer trip to Promise, Maine. A town that is hidden and has only one way in that is hard to find. A town where miracles are said to happen.
Cam grew up at Disneyworld where both of her parents worked at the Polynesian Hotel in the “Spirit of Aloha.” Even though her dad has passed away she loves her life there and does not want to go to Maine but does not want to let her mother and sister down. They pack up the U-Haul and pull it behind Cam’s car and head north. On their way they stop and see Cam’s best friend Lily, who also has neuroblastoma cancer and her grandmother in New Jersey.
Once in Promise, Maine however Cam experiences life in a way she never has before. She sees pink flamingos in the cold waters of the Arctic, a field of purple dandelions, sunsets that set for hours, steals a donkey, works for a vet, meets a mysterious young man named Asher and works on her “Flamingo List” (her version of a bucket list). As the summer winds down and Cam’s health starts to fail she throws herself into creating miracles for her family who believe in them. Can she start believing herself?
Recommended by Joleen Waltman, Librarian, Idaho USA
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Campbell Cooper has a list of the things she wants to do before she turns eighteen. In her case though the cancer is going to make her have to get to the things on that list pretty quickly. Things like losing her virginity at a keg party, have an awkward moment with her best friend's boyfriend, drink beer or kill her little sister's dreams. At her latest visit to see her doctor there is nothing else to try. There are no more trials for Cam.
Up to now Cam has shared her cancer with her best friend, Lily, who is valiantly battling a cancer of her own. The two girls have spent summers at cancer camp and built their bucket lists together. Now that Campbell's mother is running out of options, she has decided to take Campbell north to the town of Promise, Maine where there may be some last gasps of hope.
The family drives the hours to the town, finds their new home and settles in with Cam taking a room at the top of the house that is armed with a telescope and a view of all surroundings including the cute guy, Asher.
Will this town somehow work its magic on Campbell? Will she go into remission and ultimately win the battle? Will she cross everything off her list even the things she might regret?
This is a story of courage and love and acceptance. A great summer afternoon read. Turns out it is a wonderful life after all. 357 pages Ages 14 and up
