The Honest Truth

Mark is dying. Last year, he thought he had the cancer beat. But now, it is back to take over his life, make his parents miserable, and keep Mark from having a normal childhood. Mark has a plan, though. He has always has to do what he is told. He never has any choice. He decides to take his last chance, and fulfill his late grandfather’s last wish: climb to the top of mount Rainier. He takes only a wad of cash, a notebook, his grandfather’s camera, and his heart-breakingly loyal dog, Beau. He leaves behind his family, his treatments, and his best friend, Jessie. As Mark struggles toward his destination, he battles to make sense of his experiences.

There is such a surplus of whiny cancer kid books. I expected this to be one of the many, so I was surprised by the simple and honest portrayal of the struggles the characters go through. Mark was not pathetic, or at least, not asking for pity. He was just a confused child looking for meaning. The conclusion was beautiful, but my favorite parts were when Beau shows Mark how to love. They were very sweet.