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Fly a Little Higher
Laura Sobiech tells the amazing story of how God used her son’s battle with cancer to touch the lives of millions.
“Okay, Lord, you can have him. But if he must die, I want it to be for something big. I want someone’s life to be changed forever.”
This is what Laura Sobiech prayed when she found out her seventeen-year-old son had only one year to live. With this desperate prayer, she released her son to God’s will.
At that point, Zach Sobiech was just another teenager battling cancer. When his mother told him to think about writing good-bye letters to family and friends, he decided instead to write songs. One of them, “Clouds,” captured hearts and changed not one life but millions, making him an international sensation.
But Zach’s story is not just about music. It’s a testament to what can happen when you live as if each day might be your last. It’s a story about the human spirit. It’s about how God used a dying boy from a small town in Minnesota to touch the hearts of millions—including top executives in the music industry, major music artists, news anchors, talk show hosts, actors, priests and pastors, and school children across the globe.
Zach once said, “I want to be known as the kid who went down fighting, and didn’t really lose.” Fly a Little Higher is about how God used Zach to do something big.
“Okay, Lord, you can have him. But if he must die, I want it to be for something big. I want someone’s life to be changed forever.”
This is what Laura Sobiech prayed when she found out her seventeen-year-old son had only one year to live. With this desperate prayer, she released her son to God’s will.
At that point, Zach Sobiech was just another teenager battling cancer. When his mother told him to think about writing good-bye letters to family and friends, he decided instead to write songs. One of them, “Clouds,” captured hearts and changed not one life but millions, making him an international sensation.
But Zach’s story is not just about music. It’s a testament to what can happen when you live as if each day might be your last. It’s a story about the human spirit. It’s about how God used a dying boy from a small town in Minnesota to touch the hearts of millions—including top executives in the music industry, major music artists, news anchors, talk show hosts, actors, priests and pastors, and school children across the globe.
Zach once said, “I want to be known as the kid who went down fighting, and didn’t really lose.” Fly a Little Higher is about how God used Zach to do something big.
Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2014
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May 12, 2014
I got to see the SoulPancake video of the "My Last Days" series that featured Zach Sobiech in May of 2013. Our school year had already ended.
As it turned out, by the time I saw the now viral video featuring Zach Sobiech, his life had ended.
I remember posting the video to my Twitter stream and my Facebook wall with something like, "If we were in Room 407 today, we would be watching this." I'm known for the videos I select to watch with my students in the classroom and I knew that this kind of post attached to the video would get the attention of my friends at both social media sites. But this was more than a platitude. I knew that there was one reason I had really wished that we had been in school--just for one more day. . .so that I could show this video.
And when I returned to Room 407 with a new group of juniors, Zach Sobiech's story was one of the first videos we watched together with the new English 11 students (one of my laments is that last year's juniors--this year's seniors--did not get to see it). We invited the students to try to capture a five-paragraph essay (I know. . .I know. . .but it is what is in their toolbox when they first come to me in the fall) that would allow them to respond to Zach's story.
And the connections went beyond platitude. Many of my new students who tied to "show themselves" to be tough and above anything creative or sensitive wrote some of the most powerful responses to Zach's story. This is a kid. . .their age. . .talking about the one thing that scares them to death. It is the one thing we usually don't talk about in an English class so we see characters die within the films we see and within the books we share together. When we read Tuesdays with Morrie, death becomes--as Steve Jobs says--a "concept," but we are still somewhat removed from the pain and the process due in part to the fact that Morrie is not us. Morrie is an old man. Morrie has gone to college, got married, had children, had a career.
Zach Sobiech never got to do any of these things. And Zach is more like my students in the room than Morrie could be. Zach is the face of real life that "ladders" so poignantly to the young reader who will lose it at the end of Patrick Ness's A MONSTER CALLS or John Green's THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. Zach played the guitar. He had a girlfriend. He listened to coffee shop bands. He had brothers and sisters. Zach is the student in your third period class that you kind of know but not at all that well.
Laura Sobiech has undertaken what has probably been the hardest job to do as a parent. Move through the terminal process and all the procedures that come along with a terminal illness and rendered any and all of that into a beautiful book here. Early on, I thought about Denise Taylor (I had one of her children in my class during a difficult year--I have the last of her children in my class this year) who wrote a self-published book called HEAVENLY BIRTH about her daughter, Jonnae, and their journey through cancer together.
Much of the book follows along with the twenty-two minute video features at SoulPancake, but more than what the video can offer are the interior monologues and thinking of Laura Sobiech. When Laura is at her most personal within the book, we see concerns for a son, a marriage (one that had been established some time ago with her husband, Rob, and the one that was being planned for Zach's older sister, Alli). The reader gets to share the initial diagnoses and the initial treatments that bring together the strength that surpasses what we originally see in the video. Laura's book here celebrates faith, friends, and family and draws all of these around the memory of a young man who touched many lives with his song, "Clouds."
As I read the book, I found myself being drawn along with the chronology of the story mapping out elements from the page to what I had seen in the video (I watched it again Saturday morning as I began to read the book with Maddie ((11)) who will be reading this book next). What I really like about Laura's sharing in this regard is that she shares the difficulty of having strangers come in to film your family when that family is struggling to hold on to a sense of routine. For this aspect, I love that Laura pulls no punches whatsoever to describe some challenges and some hurts that even moved into and within the filming of Zach's well-known video.
What was most compelling for me, the reader, was Alli's story as this part of the narrative wove through the overall book to present a sort of foil to the notion that everybody just comes on board to openly to surround Zach and to openly display their feelings to the world. In a part of the book where decisions have to be made by the parents between a funeral and a wedding, the reality of Zach's story really comes to light. That Laura includes a blog of Alli's that was written during this time really adds a sense of "okay. . .this is how some people might feel and process pain" kind of feel. Laura shares--with senstivity--not only Zach's story, but the rest of the family in a most motherly and wifely manner. It is one of the elements that really make this book shine.
FLY A LITTLE HIGHER is a book that promises a connection to faith. And it delivers. But, not in such a way that would hinder a classroom teacher from adopting the book with any anxiety. Readers get Laura Sobiech's interior monologue and her conversations with Zach around issues of faith. We see Zach attending a confirmation ceremony in the midst of his treatments. That faith would have been an essential part of the conversations between the author and her son are kept intact within the telling of Zach's story without "breaking the fourth wall" to come out to the reader holding the book.
And for all of this. . .I'll be giving away a copy of Laura Sobiech's book to one of our Books and Bagels attendees tomorrow morning as we consider THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN. I want to be known as the kind of teacher who pushes the edge of young adult literature--sure--but I also want to be the kind of teacher that pulls a reader in to say, "Let's talk about this book together too, okay?'
FLY A LITTLE HIGHER will be our first Books and Bagels book selection for the 2014-15 school year. And even though this year is wrapping up and I could use a little summer, somehow I cannot wait for fall to share and to talk about this lovely little book.
Thank you, Zach.
Thank you, Laura.
Thank you for inviting us to "fly a little higher."
As it turned out, by the time I saw the now viral video featuring Zach Sobiech, his life had ended.
I remember posting the video to my Twitter stream and my Facebook wall with something like, "If we were in Room 407 today, we would be watching this." I'm known for the videos I select to watch with my students in the classroom and I knew that this kind of post attached to the video would get the attention of my friends at both social media sites. But this was more than a platitude. I knew that there was one reason I had really wished that we had been in school--just for one more day. . .so that I could show this video.
And when I returned to Room 407 with a new group of juniors, Zach Sobiech's story was one of the first videos we watched together with the new English 11 students (one of my laments is that last year's juniors--this year's seniors--did not get to see it). We invited the students to try to capture a five-paragraph essay (I know. . .I know. . .but it is what is in their toolbox when they first come to me in the fall) that would allow them to respond to Zach's story.
And the connections went beyond platitude. Many of my new students who tied to "show themselves" to be tough and above anything creative or sensitive wrote some of the most powerful responses to Zach's story. This is a kid. . .their age. . .talking about the one thing that scares them to death. It is the one thing we usually don't talk about in an English class so we see characters die within the films we see and within the books we share together. When we read Tuesdays with Morrie, death becomes--as Steve Jobs says--a "concept," but we are still somewhat removed from the pain and the process due in part to the fact that Morrie is not us. Morrie is an old man. Morrie has gone to college, got married, had children, had a career.
Zach Sobiech never got to do any of these things. And Zach is more like my students in the room than Morrie could be. Zach is the face of real life that "ladders" so poignantly to the young reader who will lose it at the end of Patrick Ness's A MONSTER CALLS or John Green's THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. Zach played the guitar. He had a girlfriend. He listened to coffee shop bands. He had brothers and sisters. Zach is the student in your third period class that you kind of know but not at all that well.
Laura Sobiech has undertaken what has probably been the hardest job to do as a parent. Move through the terminal process and all the procedures that come along with a terminal illness and rendered any and all of that into a beautiful book here. Early on, I thought about Denise Taylor (I had one of her children in my class during a difficult year--I have the last of her children in my class this year) who wrote a self-published book called HEAVENLY BIRTH about her daughter, Jonnae, and their journey through cancer together.
Much of the book follows along with the twenty-two minute video features at SoulPancake, but more than what the video can offer are the interior monologues and thinking of Laura Sobiech. When Laura is at her most personal within the book, we see concerns for a son, a marriage (one that had been established some time ago with her husband, Rob, and the one that was being planned for Zach's older sister, Alli). The reader gets to share the initial diagnoses and the initial treatments that bring together the strength that surpasses what we originally see in the video. Laura's book here celebrates faith, friends, and family and draws all of these around the memory of a young man who touched many lives with his song, "Clouds."
As I read the book, I found myself being drawn along with the chronology of the story mapping out elements from the page to what I had seen in the video (I watched it again Saturday morning as I began to read the book with Maddie ((11)) who will be reading this book next). What I really like about Laura's sharing in this regard is that she shares the difficulty of having strangers come in to film your family when that family is struggling to hold on to a sense of routine. For this aspect, I love that Laura pulls no punches whatsoever to describe some challenges and some hurts that even moved into and within the filming of Zach's well-known video.
What was most compelling for me, the reader, was Alli's story as this part of the narrative wove through the overall book to present a sort of foil to the notion that everybody just comes on board to openly to surround Zach and to openly display their feelings to the world. In a part of the book where decisions have to be made by the parents between a funeral and a wedding, the reality of Zach's story really comes to light. That Laura includes a blog of Alli's that was written during this time really adds a sense of "okay. . .this is how some people might feel and process pain" kind of feel. Laura shares--with senstivity--not only Zach's story, but the rest of the family in a most motherly and wifely manner. It is one of the elements that really make this book shine.
FLY A LITTLE HIGHER is a book that promises a connection to faith. And it delivers. But, not in such a way that would hinder a classroom teacher from adopting the book with any anxiety. Readers get Laura Sobiech's interior monologue and her conversations with Zach around issues of faith. We see Zach attending a confirmation ceremony in the midst of his treatments. That faith would have been an essential part of the conversations between the author and her son are kept intact within the telling of Zach's story without "breaking the fourth wall" to come out to the reader holding the book.
And for all of this. . .I'll be giving away a copy of Laura Sobiech's book to one of our Books and Bagels attendees tomorrow morning as we consider THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN. I want to be known as the kind of teacher who pushes the edge of young adult literature--sure--but I also want to be the kind of teacher that pulls a reader in to say, "Let's talk about this book together too, okay?'
FLY A LITTLE HIGHER will be our first Books and Bagels book selection for the 2014-15 school year. And even though this year is wrapping up and I could use a little summer, somehow I cannot wait for fall to share and to talk about this lovely little book.
Thank you, Zach.
Thank you, Laura.
Thank you for inviting us to "fly a little higher."
September 15, 2020
How does one even really rate a book like this? All I could think about as I read it was that I wish I could have half the strength & attitude that Zach Sobiech had to put towards anything in life. It's always amazing to me how kids seem to handle things so much better than adults when it comes to cancer or other life altering diseases. The whole family's faith and unity was just heartwarming and this book is definitely a tear jerker but it's a good one to read for one & all. It shows that life is truly meant to be appreciated and you shouldn't wait until you are forced to appreciate it, do so everyday! It is heavy on faith in God, if that's not your thing, but not in a way that tries to convert you just in a way that makes it very apparent where their beliefs lie. To be able to say that cancer brought something good to your lives is a true testament to looking for the positive in everything and that right there makes this book a great read. I'd have to say that the tears did flow on several parts of the book but what hit me the most was towards the end, after Zach's funeral, when there were some little stories on how his presence was still being felt and witnessed. The Father's story about the green balloon was pretty great. There are multiple videos on Youtube from Zach singing Clouds to the family & friends being interviewed & their "Day in the Life" story done by SoulPancake. They are all talked about in the book so I definitely had to look some of those, that I had not already seen, up and even view some I had seen again. This book is great for all ages, whether cancer has been introduced into your life or not.
Free arc provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Free arc provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2023
So sad and beautiful at the same time😭🤍
May 9, 2014
I could not read this book without revisiting my own losses of a mother, husband, and grandson, in the space of three years. Nor could I read it without thinking about my daughter and son-in-law, who lost their son. I felt my heart expanding with love for this writer, this family, and the beautiful son who faced death with a bravery that belied his youth. I called my daughter immediately after I completed this book, my eyes red-rimmed from crying. We agreed this is one of the best books we've read in a long time. Not only that, but reading it strengthened our resolve to be better people because of the loss of a little boy we loved. Thank you, Laura, for sharing your life, your son, and your loss with your readers.
January 10, 2023
Absolutely heart wrenching to read. Or in my case, listen to. I cried wildly in the beginning and again at the end. I had a hard time “looking forward” to reading this book due to the emotions it brought up - forcing me to face my own losses and to contemplate if I could be as strong as this mother if I was in her shoes. Imagining having to face this with my little boys face in mind haunted me. I became more present with my child and have a little extra push to enjoy every moment. The book reveals levels of grief I never knew existed. What a strong family and what an amazing song and legacy. I will forever be inspired by the message of this book.
May 1, 2021
I started reading this book after a FB-post that tagged a producer of the movie Five Feet Apart and Clouds. So I checked out the movie trailer of the last one and the songs used and so on to finally come to this book, written by the mother of the movies main character. I'm a sucker for this kind of stories.
This is a definitely sad story, but it is also defined by love, happiness, friendship and love. I sobbed, I laughed and I was amazed. The way this family dealt with this rough patch in life and try to turn this disaster into something positive and the mindset of Zach throughout it all. I can only admire them...
It also amazes me how some people get so much out of their faith, but yet again are afraid if they lived up to "the standard" to be granted salvation. I've never been a real believer, but sometimes I do envy people who do...
This is a definitely sad story, but it is also defined by love, happiness, friendship and love. I sobbed, I laughed and I was amazed. The way this family dealt with this rough patch in life and try to turn this disaster into something positive and the mindset of Zach throughout it all. I can only admire them...
It also amazes me how some people get so much out of their faith, but yet again are afraid if they lived up to "the standard" to be granted salvation. I've never been a real believer, but sometimes I do envy people who do...
November 9, 2017
I really liked this book. The author, the mother of Zach Sobiech was a wonderful story teller, though I hate to call her a storyteller. I appreciated the perspective of a mom, her anxiety, fear, hope, faith, love, desperation, endurance and more. When Zach was diagnosed with cancer, they made one decision after another with the information they were given and always with hope. With each treatment and new diagnosis, they had to re-evalutate what was most important to them and what Zach wanted to live for and experience. I felt like I got a good picture of what they experienced, though when your editing and filtering for a book, I'm sure we don't get it all. But what the Sobeich family gave me was an impression of taking what you are handed and doing the best you can. That is admirable. Also, I listened to Zach's songs a number of time while reading the book and afterward.
December 29, 2018
Sadly, I never really knew Zach, though we came up through parallel grades in school. There was a profound gulf between my way of living and his throughout that time, his example is an enormous inspiration. I am glad to be able to know his story through the eyes of his mom, and this may have been the most important story I have read this year.
January 21, 2022
I remember watching Zach's "My Last Days" video back in 2013 and being moved by it. And since Disney Plus released their movie "Clouds," I knew I wanted to read this book.
Incredibly moving, touching, and bittersweet. I sobbed at the end, and I rarely cry reading books. Thank you Zach for your beautiful story, and thank you Laura Sobiech for writing it.
Incredibly moving, touching, and bittersweet. I sobbed at the end, and I rarely cry reading books. Thank you Zach for your beautiful story, and thank you Laura Sobiech for writing it.
January 22, 2021
This was such an amazing book! I first heard about Zach's story through the movie, then I listened to the original Clouds song and saw the My Last Days video. That all prompted me to pick up this book and I'm so glad I did.
It's about a teenage boy named Zach who found out he had osteosarcoma and was terminal. But instead of giving up and losing hope, he decided to live in the time he had left. He wrote songs to say goodbye, and one of his songs, Clouds, reached into many peoples lives and helped them in many ways. He brought joy to all who knew him and trusted in God to get him and his family through their hard time. Zach's story inspired me and it brought me joy to read it. Zach is an inspirational figure and I will never forget his story. It's amazing how he was so strong in the face of his disease, and how he trusted God through it all. I wish I could be like that.
Zach's story was incredibly moving; I cried multiple times while reading it. It's amazing how God works through people's lives, even in times of suffering, to bring joy and peace into others lives, and Zach was a huge example of that. He helped me to see clearer into life, to see what is important. He showed me that we have limited time on this Earth, that disaster could come in any form, and that we should focus on the important things in life. Zach never gave up, and he inspires me to do the same.
It's about a teenage boy named Zach who found out he had osteosarcoma and was terminal. But instead of giving up and losing hope, he decided to live in the time he had left. He wrote songs to say goodbye, and one of his songs, Clouds, reached into many peoples lives and helped them in many ways. He brought joy to all who knew him and trusted in God to get him and his family through their hard time. Zach's story inspired me and it brought me joy to read it. Zach is an inspirational figure and I will never forget his story. It's amazing how he was so strong in the face of his disease, and how he trusted God through it all. I wish I could be like that.
Zach's story was incredibly moving; I cried multiple times while reading it. It's amazing how God works through people's lives, even in times of suffering, to bring joy and peace into others lives, and Zach was a huge example of that. He helped me to see clearer into life, to see what is important. He showed me that we have limited time on this Earth, that disaster could come in any form, and that we should focus on the important things in life. Zach never gave up, and he inspires me to do the same.
January 22, 2015
Read this book even though you will cry.
I was crying by page 3, and cried intermittently throughout, even though I knew what was going to happen. The first half of the book was particularly devastating, as she walks through Zach's diagnosis and the first year when they still had hope. So while yes, this IS a book about losing a child, it's also a book about faith, family, friends, and not to sound like a cliche, but also the difference one person can make. I wish I'd known Zach.
I was crying by page 3, and cried intermittently throughout, even though I knew what was going to happen. The first half of the book was particularly devastating, as she walks through Zach's diagnosis and the first year when they still had hope. So while yes, this IS a book about losing a child, it's also a book about faith, family, friends, and not to sound like a cliche, but also the difference one person can make. I wish I'd known Zach.
May 24, 2018
Fantastic book! Usually books don’t make me cry, but this one did. This is the story of a young man who at 14 years old was diagnosed with bone cancer. It is his tough and courageous battle as he fights for three years, but in the end learns how to live each day even though he’s dying. It is the story of how God uses one teenage boy to bring glory to His kingdom. This book hit close to home as my cousin died 5/23/16 of the same cancer
November 3, 2018
This book was so sad. I'm honestly not even sure why I read it. However...for sure my take away, as a mama, was the reminder to enjoy every day with my children. I'm not promised tomorrow. So today, no matter what we are doing...just being their mama today...that is the gift.
January 28, 2025
Knowing the story didn’t stop me from bawling my eyes out at the end. Such a heartwarming story.. Zach was truly a light.
September 24, 2017
Another sad one, however this one is uplifting as well. Good message without feeling like religion is being pushed constantly. Would recommend.
March 19, 2023
Most heartbreaking, made me sob
June 29, 2014
This book by far has been one of my favorite summer reads. I laughed through this book, I cried on several occasions. In my opinion, it is WAY better than The Fault in our Stars. This book is the real deal. "You Don't have to find out you're Dying to Start Living" which is exactly the way Zach lived. Flying a Little Higher, by Laura Sobiech marks the story of her son Zach battling Osteosarcome, cancer. Initially, the outlook was good for Zach, but it came back attacking his pelvis, lungs and his hip, which is where it originated. His family knew they had been given a gift of a year or less for him to live and they need to live in each day, doing things that really mattered, being intentional about life and the things they participated in. Zach's mom wanted him to write letters to those who mattered, but instead he wrote songs. I never knew of Zach, until I read the book, but his song "Clouds" was a number one on Itunes. This book is a book that I will read over and over to gain perspective when life seems to get in the way. We often get caught up in our own worlds, in the busyness of life, in the mundane things that don't matter, but Zach teaches us to not waste a breath of time on those things. I need to be reminded of that. I loved this book and highly recommend it as one of your summer reads... It will make you laugh, cry and just make you feel human again.
May 1, 2014
Wow - was hard to reading this moving book through all the tears but after seeing Zac's music video Clouds and also the documentary when this book came up on NetGalley I had to request it.
This book is the heartfelt memoir of Zac's mother Laura from his diagnoses to the end of his battle. It is honest, heartfelt and doesn't try to gloss over anything or make it 'fluffy'. Even if you aren't religious in any way both her and Zac's faith that helped them through this shouldn't put you off reading. There were a lot of tears (this book was sadder than Fault in our Stars!) and I often read with a lump in the my throat but I'm glad I read it.
Check out the Video of Zac's song "Clouds", the Soul Pancake Video and the book trailer at the website http://flyalittlehigher.com/
This book is the heartfelt memoir of Zac's mother Laura from his diagnoses to the end of his battle. It is honest, heartfelt and doesn't try to gloss over anything or make it 'fluffy'. Even if you aren't religious in any way both her and Zac's faith that helped them through this shouldn't put you off reading. There were a lot of tears (this book was sadder than Fault in our Stars!) and I often read with a lump in the my throat but I'm glad I read it.
Check out the Video of Zac's song "Clouds", the Soul Pancake Video and the book trailer at the website http://flyalittlehigher.com/
December 17, 2016
Best read of the year. Laura came to our church and spoke this summer and she was an amazing speaker. I was doubtful the book could live up to her performance as a speaker, as most biographies/memoirs/autobiographies tend to be pretty poorly written. However, I was pleasantly surprised when the book was as well written as a NYTimes Best Seller. That aside, the story is so powerful, so poignant, it is a book I have recommended all of my friends read. Zach demonstrates in his faith journey how we should all strive to live as people, with hope and joy in every moment. This is a beautiful story and an inspiration to all of mankind. Laura, I sincerely thank you for sharing your beautiful story with the world.
March 12, 2020
I can not say enough good things about this book. It made me want to live a better life then I do and be more happier towards other people and love life more then I do. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to read it.I really love this book a lot.It was sad how it ended but that it was good the funeral had tons of people that his message change was a lot. This book teach that one person can make a difference in tons of people lives. That's why I love this book it also made me cry during some of the different part like when Lance died and Zach was at his funeral and when he died I cried like a baby. I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2017
I finished "Fly a Little Higher" by Laura Sobiech yesterday. And I loved every page. This is a beautifully poignant book by a mother who journeys with her son Zach, as he lives life to the fullest while enduring terminal cancer. It is a powerful message of redemptive suffering, surrender, trust and hope. She prayerfully gives her son back to God and asks Him to transform her sorrow into something good. The answer to her prayer is amazing, as Zach's life and his hope-filled message continue to influence millions across the world. This book is thought-provoking and gently challenges you to live life to the fullest.
August 27, 2014
I was choking back tears more than once in this book, and it sucked me in right away. I can't imagine being that person/mom who has to see to completion something like "caring for a child with cancer" from her "I-Never-Want-To-Do" list, let alone write a book about the whole journey to witness to the world afterwards. Powerful. Moving. Inspiring. Brought new perspective on how a human being can suffer and still be blessed with so much love & grace right to the finish line and beyond.
Read
May 30, 2014This is a story about Faith, Hope, and the ability to continue living a beautiful and fulfilling life even though you know it is coming to an end. Zach Sobiech knew he had very little time left but instead of giving up he was able to touch the lives of people around the world with his music, his smile and his determination to never to give up.
January 20, 2015
What is amazing about this book is that even though it tackles some seriously sad issues, I found myself filled with joy and smiling more often than I felt like crying. The detail and the realness of the book radiates from cover to cover. The author was not afraid to tell the truth, good and bad. I am amazed at the strength and faith of this family. Incredible.
July 3, 2015
This is one of the most inspiring, but heart wrenching books I've probably ever read. I wish we all could live with even a portion of the joy and hope that Zach lived with during his short life. There were so many times where I broke down crying while reading this book.
June 6, 2023
This book was very emotional and very moving. I'm not usely this one too cry but the end hit me hard. And cried like twice. Its amazing to see God turn a 17 year old sickness into something amazing. It is a must READ.
September 4, 2024
five stars, five stars, I can only ever give this book five stars for 300 reasons
June 18, 2015
Caution: DO NOT READ WITHOUT TISSUES
May 28, 2017
Hope
A beautiful book of hope demonstrated through a young man's faith as he battles as a horrific disease and the support of his family and friends.
A beautiful book of hope demonstrated through a young man's faith as he battles as a horrific disease and the support of his family and friends.
November 20, 2019
Osteosarcoma has destroyed and brought anguish, tears and misery to its many victims and their family members. While Laura Sobiech, author of Fly A Little Higher, recognizes that this cancer who took her son Zach, does indeed bring sorrow, she is also able to recognize that the meaning of life can be found on the path towards death. Because her son gave his life to God, he died peacefully, left a legacy (as a musician) that will be remembered forever, and chose to live his life instead of accepting death; inspiring thousands around the world to do the same. It’s clear to me that Laura is distraught over the loss of her son, but she sees his death as a way to spread the word of Christ and bring hope to others instead. Her perspective of loss proves that by following God’s teachings, Zach was able to live his last few months in bliss. Turning towards Christ allowed for Laura and Zach to ease their minds and endure the ride inside of suffer through it. Laura Sobiech’s faith and devotion proves that religion is what every osteosarcoma patient should turn to. Cancer victims, family members of cancer victims and those looking for a light at the end of the tunnel should read Sobiech’s story and reflect on what living for God really means to them.
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