November Book-of-the-month

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult published in 2004 by Atria in New York.

Anna has been conceived by her parents specifically to be a bone marrow match for Kate, her sister who has a rare form of leukemia. From this premise we meet Anna at thirteen when she hires a lawyer to sue her parents for control of her own body. Imagine the ramifications!
I put off reading this book because I had heard the premise, and thought it would be another "medical" or "courtroom" drama book. Though it has elements of both, it is really the story of intense personal drama for members of the Fitzgerald family. The way everything about this family and what they do is colored by Kate's illness creates a unique dysfunctional family.
Each chapter is narrated by one or another member of the family - dad Brian, Mom Sara, brother Jesse, Kate and Anna or Campbell Alexander, the attorney, or Julia, the court-appointed guardian. Each has a unique point of view and an interesting and highly personal motivation for doing what they do and reacting the way they do. The way Picoult allows us to delve into these characters' thoughts without revealing too much keeps the reader interested and involved in the story. You will find yourself understanding of each of the characters' motivations, even if you don't agree. The older brother, Jesse's situation is especially heartbreaking, as he feels invisible in the family, being neither sick nor a possible cure for the sickness.
I highly recommend this book - it's very readable, and the ending will probably take you by surprise I know it did me!!