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Kate
Short-listed for the 2005 White Pine Award, for the 2004 IODE Violet Downey National Book Award and commended for the 2004 Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice Selection
There's one other thing I should mention right off, which is that I'm fourteen years old and dying. (I guess that was two things, but the significance of one is sort of tied to the other, don't you think?)
Kate Benchworth is far from typical. Having been diagnosed with a brain tumour that could end her life at any time, she views the world with refreshing honesty and rare insight. As her family and members of her community struggle to accept what lies ahead, Kate refuses to give in to self-pity. Determined to live each moment to the fullest, she falls in love with a boy locked up in the local jail and befriends the town recluse.
Valerie Sherrard's new novel is a moving tale about a young woman experiencing the best days of her life, all the while aware that the time she has left is rapidly disappearing.
There's one other thing I should mention right off, which is that I'm fourteen years old and dying. (I guess that was two things, but the significance of one is sort of tied to the other, don't you think?)
Kate Benchworth is far from typical. Having been diagnosed with a brain tumour that could end her life at any time, she views the world with refreshing honesty and rare insight. As her family and members of her community struggle to accept what lies ahead, Kate refuses to give in to self-pity. Determined to live each moment to the fullest, she falls in love with a boy locked up in the local jail and befriends the town recluse.
Valerie Sherrard's new novel is a moving tale about a young woman experiencing the best days of her life, all the while aware that the time she has left is rapidly disappearing.
- GenresYoung AdultFiction
232 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
2 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Sherrard
36 books68 followersI was born in 1957 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and grew up in various parts of Canada. My dad was in the Air Force so the family moved often, and was sent to live in Lahr, West Germany, when I was eleven. It was there that a teacher encouraged me toward writing. I didn't rush into it, though. It wasn't until 2002 that my first book was released, but since then I've had several dozen books for young people published.
One reason I chose to write for children and teens was my experience in working with them. Over the years I fostered about 70 teens in my home, and I also worked as the Director of a group home for teens in my community for more than a decade.
One reason I chose to write for children and teens was my experience in working with them. Over the years I fostered about 70 teens in my home, and I also worked as the Director of a group home for teens in my community for more than a decade.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 24, 2018
Soppy. Saccharine. Dreadful.
May 29, 2012
This book took me about an hour to read...but honestly, it was very touching. I only wished it was longer. My sister was the first to read Kate and had recommended it to me several times. Finally I gave it a read and wow is all I could sum up.
The story is about a fourteen year old girl named Katherine (Kate), who from the start of the book tells the reader she has a brain tumour and is dying. She then meets a boy who is in jail and quickly falls in love with him. Through out the story, you can see that Kate is a normal teenager;she has feelings, worries and problems. However, she simply never gives up. I cried several times reading this story because of how touching it was. It made me reflect a lot on my life, and I took a lot from this book. My favourite quote from the book is, "we will all die at some time or other. It may seem unfair to you that your time is coming at such a young age. But the real tragedy would be if you allowed it to make you bitter and therefore wasted the time you have left. Live each day and close your eyes each night with the knowledge that you've spent the hours well. That's all any of us can do. Don't use fate as a cause to be unhappy,for it was never meant to be that way," (24-25).
I would recommend this book for everyone. It is very touching and can be eye opening.
The story is about a fourteen year old girl named Katherine (Kate), who from the start of the book tells the reader she has a brain tumour and is dying. She then meets a boy who is in jail and quickly falls in love with him. Through out the story, you can see that Kate is a normal teenager;she has feelings, worries and problems. However, she simply never gives up. I cried several times reading this story because of how touching it was. It made me reflect a lot on my life, and I took a lot from this book. My favourite quote from the book is, "we will all die at some time or other. It may seem unfair to you that your time is coming at such a young age. But the real tragedy would be if you allowed it to make you bitter and therefore wasted the time you have left. Live each day and close your eyes each night with the knowledge that you've spent the hours well. That's all any of us can do. Don't use fate as a cause to be unhappy,for it was never meant to be that way," (24-25).
I would recommend this book for everyone. It is very touching and can be eye opening.
April 30, 2011
I absolutely loved it...
This story was so life changing! I cried buckets and it didn't help that I was just having a very emotional day. The ending was so powerful in so many ways. I know so many peopel who would have hated the ending but I just found it perfect. Sad...but perfect. It was REALISTIC and Kate was unimaginably relatable. All of her problems and every little thing that she had a problem with I completely 101% agreed with. I loved every special and sacred moment that Kate had with the individuals in her family. I loved her best friend Josie who she was unknowingly jealous of. And I also really really love Maryanne. She was a perfect addition to the story because it showed how much Kate's bravery affected other people not just her. I liked that the story wasn't all about her, but really about how she felt and what she was going through and her experiences. I felt like I WAS her up until the end and I will be looking for more works from Ms. Sherrard.
This story was so life changing! I cried buckets and it didn't help that I was just having a very emotional day. The ending was so powerful in so many ways. I know so many peopel who would have hated the ending but I just found it perfect. Sad...but perfect. It was REALISTIC and Kate was unimaginably relatable. All of her problems and every little thing that she had a problem with I completely 101% agreed with. I loved every special and sacred moment that Kate had with the individuals in her family. I loved her best friend Josie who she was unknowingly jealous of. And I also really really love Maryanne. She was a perfect addition to the story because it showed how much Kate's bravery affected other people not just her. I liked that the story wasn't all about her, but really about how she felt and what she was going through and her experiences. I felt like I WAS her up until the end and I will be looking for more works from Ms. Sherrard.
April 7, 2013
This book was one of the options for my grade nine Academic ISU so I chose to read it for one of my three ISU's. This book is really god, although at the end it is very sad due to Kate talking about her last moments. You'll fall in love with Randy and Kate's relationship, Randy's kinda of the boyfriend every girl wants as he's always there for Kate :) well I think that's it ! peace out !
April 17, 2008
This book was awsomely good :) It was sweet & touching. I swear I read this book everyday and there was not a day I didnt read it cause it was so good. Something in the book always kept me interested in it :) edit | delete review
July 8, 2012
I love how Valerie Sherrard used Kate's condition into a huge part and Kate had sooo much character and just WOW! It was such a good read. Read it in one day because I couldnt put it down, it was seriously one of the best books ive ever read.
January 26, 2021
It was beautifully written, and at parts it broke my heart. I loved Kate's strong personality and the overall message of this book. It's very inspirational. Another amazing book written by Valerie Sherrard!
May 16, 2014
I chose this book for my grade 9 ISU from a list of other books and honestly I was glad I chose this one. It was sad but an amazing book, my heart ached quite a few times in this book. It was a short read, finished it in about a day.
May 24, 2010
This is the type of book that touches your heart! It was amazing and it is my all time favorite book!
October 7, 2011
Really, really good. But it was so sad. I cried about a million times.
March 26, 2013
really touching story. i thought kate's perspective was really great.
June 28, 2022
I read this book in one day. It was heart wrenching and sweet at the same time.
I personally think we could all learn alot from the main character, Kate. She doesn't wallow in self pity with her condition, and is inspiring I found.
This is a favorite book of mine.
A great, grab a tissue read. The author Valerie has outdone her self.
This is my 3 book of hers, but not my last. I love her writing.
I personally think we could all learn alot from the main character, Kate. She doesn't wallow in self pity with her condition, and is inspiring I found.
This is a favorite book of mine.
A great, grab a tissue read. The author Valerie has outdone her self.
This is my 3 book of hers, but not my last. I love her writing.
March 15, 2025
A 📖 set in the 1960s about a girl dealing with teenage hormones and dying from an inoperable brain tumor. It was a bit too golly-gosh-darn-gee-willakers for me and heavy on the God stuff. But if I can be half the Kate this gal is, then I’d be in a great place. Get your Kleenex ready.
2025 reading challenge -a 📖 that fits a prompt from the 2016 ATY list (title begins with the first letter of your name)
2025 reading challenge -a 📖 that fits a prompt from the 2016 ATY list (title begins with the first letter of your name)
February 2, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book, even if you know what will become of the beloved character, Kate. Makes you look at life a bit differently, and since it's given from a perspective of a girl who knows she will die, it adds to the emotion.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews