The Fault in Our Stars

The 2013 Carroll County on the Same Page selection is John Green's The Fault in Our Stars. This "young adult" novel has great cross-over appeal for adults and teens alike. It is the story of two teens, Hazel and Augustus, who meet and fall in love. Not my kind of story, you think? Not into romances, especially those of the teenage variety, you say? Think again. Hazel and Augustus's story is special in many ways: (1) Hazel and Augustus meet at a Kids with Cancer support group. (2) Hazel and Augustus have not had the "normal" school experiences most kids their age have had. (3) Hazel and Augustus have to deal with oxygen carts, a prosthetic leg, pic lines, and fear and other side effects of cancer. (4) Hazel and Augustus are incredibly smart and funny. As Augustus always says, "Life is not a wish-giving factory." Their tenderness and love for each other is a joy to witness. This is not a cancer book, even though cancer plays a big role. It is a story of how two people can find each other and connect in wonderful ways. It is a celebration of life. Read it and then join us for a lively discussion on Wednesday, July 24, at 7 pm at the Camden Jackson Township Public Library, or on Friday, July 26, at 9 am at the Delphi Public Library.