
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, Menrva Books earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Part of the "Cascades" series offering hardback novels to be explored in the classroom, this is the funny and moving account of a boy's quest to save his brother. Colin decides to take the problem of his brother's cancer to the most important person he knows - the Queen.
When his younger brother is diagnosed with cancer, young Colin Mudford embarks on a desperate, singular mission to secure the best medical care by traveling to London to petition the Queen. Colin navigates the complexities of grief and adult indifference while staying with relatives in a foreign city, his singular focus on his brother's survival clashing with the pragmatic, often dismissive, reactions of the adults around him. The narrative, told through Colin's earnest and observant perspective, captures the friction between childhood logic and the harsh realities of terminal illness. His quest serves as a catalyst for both his own maturation and the emotional awakening of those he encounters during his stay.
This work is widely recognized for its ability to balance heavy thematic content with a distinct, youthful voice that avoids excessive sentimentality. The narrative structure suggests a focus on the internal world of a child attempting to process an incomprehensible situation through a lens of logical, albeit misguided, action. Readers and critics often highlight the author's skill in maintaining a consistent tone that respects the gravity of the subject while allowing for moments of levity. The premise points to a story that examines the resilience of the human spirit when faced with the limitations of medical science and the complexities of familial love.
Page Count:
128
Publication Date:
1992-01-01
Publisher:
Collins Educational
ISBN-10:
0003300781
ISBN-13:
9780003300789