MY SISTER'S KEEPER by Jodi Picoult

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Picoult, Jodi. My Sister's Keeper. [sound recording]. Prince Frederick, MD: Recorded Books, 2004. ISBN 140258640X

2. PLOT SUMMARY

When Kate was three years old, she was diagnosed with APL Leukemia, a very rare form of the disease. Faced with an extremely ill child, her parents are told that none of the family: father-Brian, Mother-Sara and 5 year old big brother-Jessie, are viable donors for the treatments Kate will need throughout the course of her life. However, the good news is that future children may be an exact match.

Enter Anna (short for Andromeda, the constellation), Rhode Island's first designer baby. Anna was conceived through In vitro fertilization after scientists and doctors have determined that this embryo is an exact match of DNA. Anna is born to be the life-long donor match for her sister Kate. Anna is a healthy 13 year old; however, her medical history of the never ending procedures would not reflect this. Anna is tired of not being consulted about her own health issues and the decisions which are made concerning it.

Enter Alexander Campbell, Attorney at Law. Anna hires Alexander to sue her parents for medical emancipation- the right to make decisions about her own health care. Alexander is no stranger to medical problems himself. With an assistance dog by his side he navigates the struggles of life and health on a daily basis while keeping his medical history a secret from those around him, including those who love him.

Enter Julia, Guardian Ad Litem for Anna and college sweetheart of Campbell Alexander. When Campbell left Julia years before with no explanation, her life fell apart. All these years later they meet again over the case of a young girl who only wants to be asked about her own body.

Jodi Picoult asks all the tough questions facing a society where medical advancements far out pace the ethical debates surrounding the procedures. How far should medical science go in saving one life while using another? What is the role of a mother in the life of a child? What is a good sister? Where do the answers lie?

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This 2005 Alex Award winning book written by Jodi Picoult is an excellently written book which tackles the tough issues straight from the headlines. Alex Awards are given to books written for adults which are also read by young adults. This coming of age book has all of the elements of great Young Adult fiction. The main character of the book is a 13 year old girl thus meeting one of the elements of young adult literature. Anna is trying to find her way in the adult world, even though doing so goes against the wishes of her parents. While the parents are present in this novel, they could be viewed as the antagonists of the story. The conflict in the novel help to shape Anna's identity as a young women ready to take on the challenge of making adult decisions for herself. My Sister's Keeper is a book which young adult reader's can relate to on their own level.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

School Library Journal(January 1, 2005) "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."

Publishers Weekly(February 16, 2004) " Picoult uses multiple viewpoints to reveal each character's intentions and observations, but she doesn't manage her transitions as gracefully as usual; a series of flashbacks are abrupt. Nor is Sara, the children's mother, as well developed and three-dimensional as previous Picoult protagonists. Her devotion to Kate is understandable, but her complete lack of sympathy for Anna's predicament until the trial does not ring true, nor can we buy that Sara would dust off her law degree and represent herself in such a complicated case. Nevertheless, Picoult ably explores a complex subject with bravado and clarity, and comes up with a heart-wrenching, unexpected plot twist at the book's conclusion."

Booklist(January 1, 2004) "As the gripping court case builds, the story takes a shocking turn. 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."