Scott Was Here

by Elaine Ipswitch, Elaine Ipswich

Posthumous story of a ten-year-old boy who contracts a fatal disease and the courage with which he faces death as revealed through his writings, drawings and his family's recollections

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Silk]

Every day is spent in suspense, not knowing what is in store for me tomorrow. I do my homework, I lie in the sun watching the birds. Will this new treatment work? It is now. But it might fail just like last time. Then what? Is it worth it? I must accomplish something. So I write my feelings but all I spew forth are insane, disorganized, mixed-up, out-of-order ravings. I must live a little longer, experience a little more...then maybe I can write something creative, accomplish something. I must live! I want to, oh! how I want to. These are the words of Scott Ipswitch, an incredible boy whose fight against Hodgkin's disease is so movingly yet unsentimentally described here by his mother. Scott was always a special child. He loved nature and drawing and classical music. When he was just five, he began writing his own stories and drawing cartoons to illustrate them. His twin brother, Steven, shared these talents and the boys were great pals--except, of course, for the occasional brotherly battle. Then when he was ten, it was discovered that Scott was in an advanced stage of Hodgkin's disease. In the years that followed, he never lost hope, he never stopped writing down and illustrating what he was thinking and feeling, he never lost his concern for those who cared so much for him. His mother writes movingly of the time, while on one of their countless trips to the hospital, he said, "Mom, I sure do appreciate all you're doing for me, " or the time she told him she loved him so much she would gladly take on his disease

[Yves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up at a random book sale. When I finished reading it the story had a powerful effect on me. It was the book that opened up the concept of mortality, which to a young man is a big deal. Incredibly sad in a way but uplifting in communicating that "never give up while giving it all you've got" attitude. YOLO reinforced and I started to live every day for more results.

From the day I read it this book has made my top shelf and I have read it on a regular basis to reconnect with the indomitable spirit of the young cancer fighter ... Scott.

[Gelecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was well written and truly inspirational. Ipswich could not have written a better book. Scott was portrayed as a strong, passionate and loving individual. The battles he fought inspired me to be a doctor which makes this my all time favorite book.

[Keltie Duggan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this heart-wrenching book as a kid and it inspired me to want to be a physician.

[Payge Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been apart of my life since birth and on the shelves of every family home I’ve ever lived in. My aunt is one of the strongest women I know and her son was no exception. I feel at peace knowing that when Scott was here, he left a huge mark on not only those who knew him, but those of us who didn’t get to.

[Gamecock91 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully affecting journey that teaches us that the journey is just as, if not more, important as the destination.

[Tree Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

My friend wrote this book. It is of her son and the illness he forebore along with the trials of perseverence the family had to push through. I couldn't put this down either. However, it is definitely a book that needs a pick me up along side.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing!!! Thoughtful and well written. It is difficult at times to read what this family went through, but what an amazing young man Scott was!!

[Cathy Houston · Rating 3 out of 5]

a mother's story of her son's death from Hodgkin's disease