kvela

Hazel and Augustus meet at a cancer support group. She is a terminally ill lung cancer patient and he is in remission from osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Both teens are instantly attracted to each other, but Hazel is cautious of starting a new friendship since she is a “grenade”.  Needless to say both fall madly in love with each other as they share their thoughts and interests. After becoming obsessed with Hazel’s favorite book, Augustus and Hazel track down the author and Augustus uses his wish to surprise Hazel with a trip to Amsterdam to meet their idol.  Things in Amsterdam are not exactly perfect, in fact Augustus reveals his cancer is back.  As things turn for the worse, Hazel and Augustus learn that they must live life to the fullest and without regrets. The major theme of this book aside from teen age love is being able to come to terms with the inevitable death of a loved one and your own mortality. Even though the reader is aware of the characters’ fate, the book’s finale is heartbreaking. I did not expect to react to this book as I did, or to get attached with the characters. This young adult book will surely have you reaching for a box of tissues, as it did with me. Readers who enjoyed this book may also want to pick up more works by John Green. 

Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. New York: Dutton Books.