by Sarah Murray

Created on: February 24, 2010

Sam is an 11 year old boy who wants answers.  He wants the answers that no-one will answer.  He wants to watch horror films, kiss a girl and run up a downwards escalator.  He uses a diary to record his last four months of completing his ‘wish list’ and his battle with leukaemia.  The diary entries consist of lists, stories, pictures, questions and facts and they begin with Sam’s first home schooling lesson after Christmas. 

The text is punctuated by drawings, postcards and integrated notepaper that contains lists. The lists are an integral part of the narrative as they voice thought provoking questions, such as “How do you know that you’ve died?” and “Does it hurt to die?” Parallel to this, the lists also provide the reader with a glimpse of the ‘real’ Sam. Nicholls employs an eloquent mixture of narrative, dialogue and diary entries. The book is a powerful, moving story of one boy’s determination to enjoy life as much as possible whilst fighting a terminal disease.  Due to the sensitive themes and issues apparent throughout the book, I would recommend that the text would be suitable for young teenagers.

The themes of death and illness are prominent throughout the entire plot as Sam continues to have good and bad days with the illness-how his illness has affected his relationships, not only with his family but also with his friends.  I particularly think the way Nicholls presents the relationship that Sam has with his friend who also has leukaemia, Felix, and the way Sam reacts to his death knowing that he too soon faces the same fate.  I think this is an excellent opportunity within the book to explore friendships and identify people who are important to them.  In addition to these issues, there is an underlying theme of ambition and dreams.  Sam’s wish list is precisely that and he never imagines that he will fulfil the things he has listed on it. 

The tone of the novel is very personal and Sam begins by addressing the reader directly: “By the time you read this, I will probably be dead.” This shocking statement grabs the attention of the reader and doesn’t let go after this point. The feeling that you are being let into something so intimate and scary would give children the opportunity to have a meaningful experience of reading.

Ways to Live Forever is accessible and moving. It allows children to explore serious issues, but also makes them feel comfortable in the way that it presents them. Children can empathise with Sam who wants to grow up and become a teenager just like they do. The fact that he is forced to fit these teenage experiences into such a short space of time is striking and should resonate with young readers. Reading this book is an enlightening and inspiring experience which encourages reading for enjoyment.

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