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One: Based on a True Story of Grit and Courage
Singapore Book Awards Nominee for Best Book Cover Design and Best Young Adults' Title (2016)
Tessie has lost a leg to a bad, bad illness called "cancer". She can no longer play her favourite games with her friends at school. Strangers keep staring because she looks different.
Tessie is tired of being strong and brave. Will she ever be able to walk again? Can she pick herself up and go on?
Discover how flamingos, family and a whole lot of fishballs cheer Tessie on, as she copes with the loss of her leg and learns to laugh again.
Tessie has lost a leg to a bad, bad illness called "cancer". She can no longer play her favourite games with her friends at school. Strangers keep staring because she looks different.
Tessie is tired of being strong and brave. Will she ever be able to walk again? Can she pick herself up and go on?
Discover how flamingos, family and a whole lot of fishballs cheer Tessie on, as she copes with the loss of her leg and learns to laugh again.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 9, 2014
This is an honest account of a brave little girl who not only has to deal with cancer, but also the devastating consequences of losing her leg, an experience no one should have to go through, much less a child.
However, this book is not a tragedy. Written in simple language that is accessible to 7 to 12 year-olds, Tan's protagonist, Tessie, is an ordinary girl who enjoys snacking on fishballs, has daily squabbles with her annoying older brother, and faces the gamut of issues a typical 7 or 8 year-old goes through, like how to fit in with her schoolmates and winning at the game of rubberbands (called ye-ye).
While the reader will be moved by Tessie's ordeal of having to undergo painful treatments and coming to terms with the removal of her leg, he/she will also be inspired by her pluckiness and fierce determination as she adapts to using a prosthetic leg. Surrounded as she is by supportive older siblings (annoying brother included) and parents, Tessie faces more ambivalent forces in the big bad world of primary school, which can be harder than outright rejection.
It is to Tan's credit that while dealing with such a morose subject, Tessie is never treated as a tragic character to be pitied, and that the feelings conveyed, while moving, is never self-indulgingly maudlin, when they can very well be.
Recommended for anyone young and old, especially for those who need a refresher on how to triumph over difficulties in life. Let little Tessie show you how.
However, this book is not a tragedy. Written in simple language that is accessible to 7 to 12 year-olds, Tan's protagonist, Tessie, is an ordinary girl who enjoys snacking on fishballs, has daily squabbles with her annoying older brother, and faces the gamut of issues a typical 7 or 8 year-old goes through, like how to fit in with her schoolmates and winning at the game of rubberbands (called ye-ye).
While the reader will be moved by Tessie's ordeal of having to undergo painful treatments and coming to terms with the removal of her leg, he/she will also be inspired by her pluckiness and fierce determination as she adapts to using a prosthetic leg. Surrounded as she is by supportive older siblings (annoying brother included) and parents, Tessie faces more ambivalent forces in the big bad world of primary school, which can be harder than outright rejection.
It is to Tan's credit that while dealing with such a morose subject, Tessie is never treated as a tragic character to be pitied, and that the feelings conveyed, while moving, is never self-indulgingly maudlin, when they can very well be.
Recommended for anyone young and old, especially for those who need a refresher on how to triumph over difficulties in life. Let little Tessie show you how.
January 1, 2019
The book is about a true story of Tessie who lose her leg due to a critical illness “ cancer “ at the young age . Her story, whereby , at first she can’t believe that she will lose her leg and can’t be as normal person anymore. She felt different and felt other people treated her different as well. Even though she is tired seeing herself is not perfect anymore . But, she still brave , strong and keep the positivity in her with the helps of everyone who loves her. Such an inspiring story . 💪🏻💪🏻👍🏻👍🏻😊😊
September 25, 2020
I read this book when I was young, I did and still do love it, such an inspiration, a true story that remains interesting and inspirational, 100% recommend it, it inspired me to shave my head for charity and donate to similar children with cancer, maybe it might inspire others to do greater feats.
April 25, 2020
Cerita yang diangkat dari kisah hidup penulisnya yang di usia 6 tahun didiagnosa mengidap kanker bernama synovial sarcoma dan menyebabkan kaki kanannya harus diamputasi.
Dengan sudut pandang anak usia 6 tahun, Tessie, penulisnya menceritakan kembali apa yang dirasakan saat harus menjalani hidup hanya dengan satu kaki.
"I knew then that I couldn't be a champion at everything I did, or even do everything that other people could, but I could be good in some things. I just needed to keep finding out what they were" ~ Tessie
Dengan sudut pandang anak usia 6 tahun, Tessie, penulisnya menceritakan kembali apa yang dirasakan saat harus menjalani hidup hanya dengan satu kaki.
"I knew then that I couldn't be a champion at everything I did, or even do everything that other people could, but I could be good in some things. I just needed to keep finding out what they were" ~ Tessie
August 17, 2015
Read this book, teared a little. Loved to see the growth of that little girl through the book and how she overcame those hardships. It really felt like I was with her every step of the way, living what she was living. Definitely worth reading!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews