Fear of Missing Out

Starred review from January 1, 2019
After two years in remission, Astrid's brain tumor is back--and this time, it's not going away.Sixteen-year-old Astrid Ayeroff has a tumor wrapped around her brain stem. Since she's already beaten cancer once, Astrid's single mother and her Indian-American boyfriend, Mohit, are convinced she can do it again. Thanks to Astrid's internship at her doctor's office, though, she's learned enough to realize that this time she's unlikely to survive, even if she enrolls in a promising new clinical trial as Mohit and her mom wish. So while her mother researches experimental treatment options, Astrid investigates cryopreservation, a scientific technique for freezing a body at the moment of death and possibly reviving it in the future. In the process, she realizes she needs to make some difficult decisions about how she wants to live--which means deciding how she wants to die. A deeply felt, nuanced story of coping with terminal illness, McGovern's (Rules for 50/50 Chances, 2015) novel features a protagonist whose voice strikes just the right balance between poignancy and wit. The well-paced plot prioritizes Astrid's grief while simultaneously providing windows into the struggles of the people she loves, including a diverse cast of characters. Astrid's best friend, Chloe, has two mothers; Astrid and her family are assumed white.A heartbreaking story of loss and grief peopled with nuanced, endearing characters that ultimately leaves the reader with a feeling of triumph. (Fiction. 14-18)

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February 1, 2019

Gr 9 Up-Sixteen-year-old Astrid has an astrocytoma in her brain, a sweet younger brother, a grief-stricken patient advocate of a mom, a loyal and honest best friend, and a super caring boyfriend. But she may not have any of them for long, with little hope for treatment of her tumor. Her future on earth looks grim, but what if she woke up in a future where there was a cure? While her mother urges a grueling trial study, Astrid pursues cryopreservation with mixed reactions from her friends and family. A vlog to help fund a road trip to the cryopreservation company and potentially the experience itself goes viral after Astrid finally makes a decision about how to handle the end of her life. Yet this is not a road trip YA novel; rather it is an unflinching account of the intrusion of terminal illness into a teen's life. Astrid approaches her ordeal with candor and self-respect, which does not make her a saint; she makes mistakes and misjudgments along the way. The author compellingly portrays her unique ties with her loved ones and how her death will affect each one differently. The relationship between Astrid and her mother is extraordinarily, palpably full of love and vulnerability. The poignancy is tempered by humor, the science Astrid so loves, and by her determination to take what control she can over her painfully shortened life. McGovern's impeccable writing carries readers through an incredible journey of self-exploration. VERDICT A compelling and heartrending read that should not be missed. Highly recommended for all YA libraries.-Lee De Groft, Jamestown High School, Williamsburg, VA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 28, 2019
In this novel by McGovern (Rules for 50/50 Chances), protagonist Astrid has a terminal form of cancer (astrocytoma, a heartbreaking, thematic link to her name), which reaches through the brain in “star-shaped cells.” Her cancer is back after a lengthy period of remission, during which science lover Astrid began to study the brain with her doctor. Astrid’s diagnosis raises the stakes in all of her relationships—with her mother, who is desperate to get Astrid into a clinical trial; with her best friend, Chloe, who is there for Astrid through her illness; and with her soulful boyfriend, Mohit, whose fierce love for Astrid and spiritual faith give him courage to understand their predicament. When Astrid’s sudden interest in the scientifically questionable cryopreservation startles everyone around her, she bravely explores this possible path, enlisting friends and loved ones to help. “What is a person?” she asks Mohit when he worries about whether a future-Astrid, courtesy of cryonics, would still be the real Astrid. Questions about life and death, God and faith pervade this novel. Mohid and Astrid are in a constant state of wonder over life’s infinite mysteries, giving this title emotional, spiritual, and intellectual heft. Astrid’s unusual pursuit of possible life beyond cancer and death will draw readers into this thought-provoking story. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jessica Regel, Foundry Media.

Starred review from February 15, 2019
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* People freeze embryos and tissue cultures for safekeeping. What about freezing a body at death in the event that future medical advances could mean reviving the deceased if a cure for the illness is found? Astrid, narrator of this compelling story, happens upon the little-known science of cryopreservation when considering clinical trials and other possibilities for dealing with her brain tumor recurrence. Her friend Chloe supports the inquiry into cryopreservation and raises money online for a road trip to Arizona to find out more about it. Astrid's boyfriend, Mohit, is skeptical, but goes along on the trip for support. This provocative twist on a story of life-threatening disease is just one aspect of a powerful account about a teenager's fight to live. While taking us through Astrid's worsening symptoms and struggle to maintain a normal front at school, McGovern (Rules for 50/50 Chances, 2015) also captures a parent's raw grief and the emotional burden of an impending death on close friends. The online funding effort and accompanying vlog add a layer of public intrusion into Astrid's plight, but the narrative never seems crowded. A unique, fascinating look at treatment choices and the right to die, wrapped up in a searing tale of characters brimming with life.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)