Some believe that to get fulfilment out of a book, it needs to bring you to tears. This choice from Goodreads may do just that, as it has been voted the number one “most moving” novel for all ages. Ways to Live Forever is a children’s novel by Sally Nicholls, first published in 2008. The author’s debut novel was written when Nicholls was just 23 years old.
It won the 2008 Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize, 2008 Glen Dimplex (Irish) New Writers Award, 2008 German Luchs des Jahres and 2009 Bristol-based Concorde Children’s Book Award. It was also shortlisted for the 2009 Manchester Book Award.
The book’s synopsis reads: “My name is Sam. I am eleven years old. I collect stories and fantastic facts. By the time you read this, I will probably be dead.
“Sam loves facts. He wants to know about UFOs and horror movies and airships and ghosts and scientists, and how it feels to kiss a girl. And because he has leukaemia he wants to know the facts about dying. Sam needs answers to the questions nobody will answer. “Ways To Live Forever” is the first novel from an extraordinarily talented young writer. Funny and honest, it is one of the most powerful and uplifting books you will ever read.”
The book has an impressive 4.2 stars out of five on Goodreads. One reviewer said: “This book subtly captured me and led me into its story, until before I even knew what was happening I was invested, heart, mind, and soul, in Sam and his life.
“The tension of approaching climax weighed on me as if it were happening to my own friend, and the panic juxtaposed against Sam’s own calm regarding the seeming inevitability of his impending death lay powerfully on my mind the entire time. If this story were American, I would say that I could hardly think of another book winning the 2009 Newbery Medal.”
Another added: “I loved this book. Seeing Sam throughout the pages of this book was both heartbreaking, and joyful. This book was very moving, this book was well written, appropriate, and emotional. I think everyone of any age would enjoy this book.”