My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

My Sister's Keeper - Breaking Film News from Jodi Picoult's Website: Dakota and Elle Fanning have been cast to play Kate and Anna Fitzgerald in the movie adaptation. They're younger than in the book – but so is Cameron Diaz, who's been cast as Sara. Cameron Diaz will star in the New Line Cinema adaptation of My Sister's Keeper - and filming will begin early next year! http://www.jodipicoult.com/

At the request of a couple of the ladies, the Abingdon Lite at Nite Book Group read My Sister's Keeper for our November discussion. About half of us had previously read the book, but even after a year or so it was still a great book to reread for the discussion it engendered. If you haven't read this novel, it is intense, thought-provoking and has a shocker of an ending.

From School Library Journal
Adult/High School - Anna was genetically engineered to be a perfect match for her cancer-ridden older sister. Since birth, the 13-year-old has donated platelets, blood, her umbilical cord, and bone marrow as part of her family's struggle to lengthen Kate's life. Anna is now being considered as a kidney donor in a last-ditch attempt to save her 16-year-old sister. As this compelling story opens, Anna has hired a lawyer to represent her in a medical emancipation suit to allow her to have control over her own body. Picoult skillfully relates the ensuing drama from the points of view of the parents; Anna; Cambell, the self-absorbed lawyer; Julia, the court-appointed guardian ad litem; and Jesse, the troubled oldest child in the family. Everyone's quandary is explicated and each of the characters is fully developed. There seems to be no easy answer, and readers are likely to be sympathetic to all sides of the case. This is a real page-turner and frighteningly thought-provoking. The story shows evidence of thorough research and the unexpected twist at the end will surprise almost everyone. The novel does not answer many questions, but it sure raises some and will have teens thinking about possible answers long after they have finished the book. - Susan H. Woodcock, Fairfax County Public Library, Chantilly, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

"Expect to be kept up all night by Picoult's latest novel, but it's much more than a page-turner; it's a fascinating character study framed by a complex, gripping story… Told in alternating perspectives by the engaging, fascinating cast of characters, Picoult's novel grabs the reader from the first page and never lets go. This is a beautiful, heartbreaking, controversial, and honest book."
—Starred Review, BOOKLIST

To read an interesting interview with Ms. Picoult, go to www.readingroupguides.com

The December choice of our book group is Shoe Addicts Anonymous by Beth Harbison.
Four women share their secrets and their hopes and become friends through their passion for shoes.