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The Best Medicine

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Philip Wright is twelve years old and life is pretty good. He has a comfortable relationship with his mother and gets reasonably good grades – in spite of girl problems, teacher problems, bully problems and – well, poetry problems.

Philip’s happy-go-lucky life is disrupted when his mother gets breast cancer. Bad enough that your mother is seriously ill – but could she not have developed a less embarrassing kind of cancer – toe cancer, maybe, or ear cancer?

Philip’s attempts to cope with his situation are both hilarious and touching amidst his confusion and bewilderment. When his mother is devastated to lose her hair Philip stands in solidarity. Through it all, he writes letters to his hero, a comedian by the name of Harry Hill. Philip looks for advice from Harry, but gets no response to his many highly amusing and urgent appeals for guidance as an aspiring comic, and as an adolescent in need of advice in matters of life and love.

Audio CD

Published August 15, 2021

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Christine Hamill

4 books3 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Petra.
819 reviews92 followers
May 31, 2017
Laughter is The Best Medicine. Twelve-year-old Philip is a huge fan of English comedian and TV presenter Harry Hill. Philip aspires to become a stand-up comedian one day. So when his biggest fan, his Mum, starts crying in reaction to one of his jokes, Philip knows something must be seriously wrong.
This book made me laugh one minute and brought tears to my eyes the next. Christine Hamill did a wonderful job balancing a serious topic - a lone parent diagnosed with cancer - with lighthearted, comedic situations. Philip's life seems to get more complicated and confusing by the minute. He not only has to cope with his mother's diagnosis, treatment and perplexing behavior, but also with Yeti, the school bully, with his first crush, "the Godess", issues with his best friend Ang, his neighbor's annoying Chihuahua and poetry for English class.
The book is perfect for kids. IMHO it is suitable for readers aged 10 and above and should also appeal to more reluctant readers. Obviously, I don't fit into these categories, but I still loved it, so there's something for older readers here, too.
Philip's first-person perspective was very funny. The author's own experience of coping with breast cancer while raising a son ensures the serious topic is portrayed in an authentic and poignant manner. Some parts, such as the Harry Hill plotline were predictable, but overall, this was a heartwarming, uplifting, and touching reading experience. I devoured this in one sitting.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.
Profile Image for Alicia.
2,599 reviews82 followers
December 30, 2021
Phillip's life is changing and he doesn't know how to deal with it. He thinks he's lost his comedic touch when his mother stops laughing at his jokes... and then he finds out she has breast cancer.
There's a lot hidden away in here about processing and handling grief. At the end of the day Phillip is a kid and the book is entirely from his perspective, so you can see the direct toll and how he thinks about the situation. The author was inspired by her own battle with breast cancer, so it was nice to see this take of it.
The end is a little abrupt in a few ways, and I don't really like the glorification of bullying, but it still felt like a kid narrating, so it fit with the rest of it. Mostly.
Profile Image for Laura.
3,249 reviews102 followers
March 1, 2017
Philip admires comedian Harry Hill and aspires to be like him. He and his best friend Ang practice jokes on each other. His number one fan his his Mum, until nothing he does makes her laugh anymore and she cries instead.

Yes his mother has cancer. And yes, it is hinted at but he doesn't figure it out until half way through the book. But was he does the story gets more human, more poignant and I almost cry in some places.

Good book, if for nothing else, to speak to kids whose mothers have cancer. And it isn't all doom and gloom.

“Radiation therapy,” Susie said. “They zap the area with X-rays and . . .” “Radiation!” I yelled. “Are you crazy? Radiation killed Dr. Who in that Christmas special we watched. Don’t you remember? Five hundred thousand rads of the stuff, just before David Tennant regenerated into Matt Smith.” “I fell asleep five minutes in,” Mom said.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review
Profile Image for The Teacher's Library.
51 reviews4 followers
June 10, 2018
This was beautiful and heart-wrenching!

I hadn't heard anything about, but saw it in Dymocks one day and noticed that it had one a couple of awards, wasn't too long, and wasn't expensive.

I picked it up last night, with the intention of just reading a couple of chapters, and ended up finishing it in one sitting. I laughed and cried and am so glad I read it!

Full review coming on theteacherslibrary.org
385 reviews
February 13, 2017
A young boy coming terms with not just growing up, first love, bullying, but also his mother's cancer diagnosis. He is obsessed with Harry Hill, and his letters to Harry Hill are almost cathartic in nature. Did he really want him to read them? His anger is geared towards Harry Hill for not replying, and also towards his best friend. The mother's anguish is clear throughout, especially having to tell him about her cancer in the first place. When mum goes through so much anguish, he is left unable to help, as I am sure many young boys would be.
Calling it a "feel good" read is probably way off the mark, but the book leaves you with a feeling of ebing glad to have read it.
Profile Image for 🌶 peppersocks 🧦.
1,522 reviews24 followers
June 5, 2022
Reflections and lessons learned:
“I held on to the book anyway. I thought maybe it would come in handy if the bad stuff kept happening. And I was right because the very next day disaster struck”

Harry Hill has always been a name, face, character and voice that has made me smile, so I completely understood the context for this story of coping and trying to escape whilst holding on. Was his narration a bit too meta? No, as it needed the distraction and wry background wit to carry the burgeoning teenage wry wit - not lovely, but still lovely - a great book for youngsters trying to understand why family illness shouldn’t just be about the inconvenience and opportunity for them
Profile Image for Michelle.
430 reviews7 followers
June 11, 2017
Philip is twelve and an aspiring comedian. He is dealing with school, The Yeti (a bully), best friend issues and his unrequited love for The Goddess (Lucy). Worst of all his mother has breast cancer. The reaction from Philip and the way he and his mother cope with her cancer diagnosis seems very realistic, perhaps not surprising since the author is herself a single mother to a son and survivor of breast cancer. Philip's obsession with a TV comedian, and his desire to be one, adds humour to the book, which I didn't expect as I knew it dealt with cancer.
2 reviews
November 26, 2017
A Great Read

I chose this rating because it was a good, funny book. It covered seriousness, covered in light humour in places, as well as full on jokes. It has a good plot and it was told brilliantly. I liked the characters and the aspect of change at the end. I would recommend this book for readers aged 11-13, as it deals with serious subjects, but is an easy read.
Profile Image for Kate.
312 reviews12 followers
June 11, 2018
This was so unexpectedly beautiful!

review coming on theteacherslibrary.org
Profile Image for Nadine.
2,572 reviews58 followers
October 21, 2017
#tear-yerker #MG #readaloud very well written book about a 12yo who wants to be a comedian/ discovers his mother has breast cancer. Really impressed with her getting into that pre-adolescent way of being.
My only quip is that this is an Irish book by an Irish author. I was reading the American edition and it was really annoying that they had to Americanise it - like please? Our global kids - as if they couldn't deal with the Irish troubles instead of the civil war - grow up American publishers and editors.
Profile Image for Pop Bop.
2,502 reviews125 followers
June 30, 2017
More Nuanced, and Touching, Than You Might Expect

I approached this book with some degree of trepidation. The blurbs suggested that our hero Philip's main problem with his mother's breast cancer was that it involved, you know, her "boobs", and how embarrassing is that? That just felt juvenile and cringe worthy. It didn't help that Philip is a bit shallow and scatterbrained in the first chapter or two, which led me to wonder whether I really wanted to spend a few hundred pages with this kid. Well, fear not. Once this book gets up and running every single character steps up in class, and the book just keeps getting better right up to the satisfying conclusion.

Putting Mom aside for a moment, Philip has an otherwise interesting list of issues - including a crush on a girl goddess, a hulking bully, an occasionally clueless best friend, a teacher, a looming poetry assignment, and some other standard issue middle grade concerns. We also have a "quirky" angle that started out twee but actually built up steam and ultimately worked. Philip wants to be a stand up comedian and his idol is Harry Hill, (who is, for American readers' edification, an actual, popular English comedian and television personality). Philip writes confessional letters to Harry asking for advice, and these letters are a very clever change from the usual diary entries or imaginary friends or the like.

All of that is frame, though, for the main event, which turns on how Philip and his Mom deal with Mom's diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. In this storyline Mom gets equal billing. Both of them take turns being sad, scared, nutsy, grumpy, unpredictable, prickly, tender, hopeful and hopeless. The whole terrible saga is laid out in a middle grade version of clear eyed, which means that Philip is sometimes a reliable but uncomprehending narrator, and much of the subtlety in the storytelling lies in the difference between what Philip sees and understands and what he sees and misunderstands.

There are lots of other nice touches and interesting or edgy story choices made by the author, and some of the best moments just take up a line or two of text. This is not a heavy handed or preachy book, but it is rather sneaky. The upshot, for me, was that I became rather fond of all of these characters, and I especially appreciated the good humor and restraint that the author brought to the delicate balancing act of making all of these different pieces and bits work. A happy find.

(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
Profile Image for Eve L-A Witherington.
Author 69 books49 followers
May 10, 2017
Philip is a twelve year old wannabe comedian. His best friend Ang at school knows he gets targeted by The Yeti, as he calls his bully as well as Ang knowing about Lucy, the girl he likes.

However, when Philips mum starts acting strangely and allowing him to have baked cakes and watch all the Harry Hill he wants to, he starts to realise something is different.

Which is when his mum friend Susie starts coming round more as his mum breaks down and reveals she has breast cancer and faces treatment. Philip is shocked and can't believe it, he writes more letters to Harry Hill with all his issues and doesn't give up.

Then when his mum meets others with cancer, the Harry Hill appreciation society is created as the patients all take off their wigs and also Philip shaves his head to fit in and make his mum feel less alone.

Then something amazing happens and Harry Hill gains a protégée for a performance which makes a dream come true!

I have had relatives close to me suffer with cancer unfortunately and this book is an amazing unique twist on how an idol can keep spirits alive in the face of the unknown to come.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
515 reviews39 followers
September 6, 2017
I wasn't too sure of this book at first. Philip is kind of whiny to begin with. I know there are a lot of boys around that age who are like that, but it made me want to scream at him. At the same time, I was in his corner. It gets frustrating when you don't know what is going on. I was with him wanting to know what was going on with his family. Hiding things from people does not make it easier, it just makes the person go crazy. This book is case in point.

As the book goes on, you can see Philip changing. He takes a tough situation and grows from it, helping others at the same time.

The ending was great. It gave you just enough to feel okay with the book ending, but still left somethings up in the air. There are hints as to what may happen in the future, but it is not spelled out. I like it when books let the reader come to their own conclusions on things instead of telling you every detail about every character.

I was given a copy of the book by NetGalley for an honest review.

Author: Christine Hamill
Publisher: Annick Press
Publication Date: 14 Mar 2017
Profile Image for Michelle Mallette.
506 reviews9 followers
April 29, 2018
Twelve-year-old Philip Wright wants to be a comedian and is always trying to get laughs. But when his mum stops laughing at his jokes he knows something is wrong. On top of that he faces a school bully and his best friend is flirting with the girl of Philip's dreams. Hamill draws on her own experience with cancer in this debut novel. Humour abounds, sprinkled with honest tender moments that strike just the right note for young readers. Set in Ireland, it feels quite Canadian, despite a fairly homogeneous set of characters, all well developed and authentic. My thanks to Annick Press for the digital reading copy provided through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
See my full review at https://mmbookshelf.wordpress.com/201...
Profile Image for Helen Swinyard.
145 reviews4 followers
October 15, 2016
Well I sat and read this all in one go today.Recommended by a fellow school librarian, I only picked it up because of her and am so glad I did.It's a neat, heartwarming children's story about a boy coping with growing up - friends, girls, bullies, school, and his mum's battle with cancer.My worries about the integral references to comedian Harry Hill worked fabulously. It reminds me of 'Word Nerd' by Neilson and 'Liar and Spy' by Stead - both equally awesome.
Profile Image for Lauren.
5 reviews
March 4, 2018
Phillip Wright is a twelve year old boy who has a dream to be like his all time favourite comedian. He faces different problems through his school year (bullying, family issues, etc) was but tries to keep his positive attitude on high every day.

An exciting read and would recommend 10+
Profile Image for Trshava.
80 reviews
April 10, 2017
*ebook given through Netgalley which doesn't affect my opinion*

Quick but heart wrenching book.
Profile Image for Margaret McCulloch-Keeble.
900 reviews11 followers
July 22, 2017
Oh my! What a fantastic book! It made me laugh out loud, it made my jaw drop, it made me weep, it made me smile, it made me..........and some of them at the same time! An absolute work of genius.
Profile Image for Smitchy.
1,181 reviews18 followers
April 27, 2018
This is a funny and sweet book about friends, being funny, and dealing with your mum having cancer best for 9-15 age group.

Philip wants to be a comedian but lately things are just going wrong - his mum even cried when he told her a joke! His unrequited love is suddenly friendly with his bully, his English teacher thinks he is a poet (and wants to see his poems!), his best friend is acting strangely, and his hero, comic Harry Hill, hasn't answered a single one of his letters! But when things are looking their bleakest everyone knows laughter is the best medicine and that means it is Philip's time to shine.

I have to admit I did snort-laugh a couple of times reading this one and I got a tiny bit teary too. Hamill manages to strike the perfect balance between emotional depth and humor, making this a very funny book about a very serious topic - Philip's mum has breast cancer.

This is a book I'm going to be recommending for schools (both Primary and Secondary) because not only is it about a topic that may well effect kids, or give them insight into what other kids are going through if a family member has cancer, but it is also a fun and heartwarming read.
Profile Image for Pauline .
779 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2018
4.5 stars
This story was written from the author’s own experience eight years ago when as a single mother in her mid-40s she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her son at the time was aged 10. One of the ways that they coped with her diagnosis and treatment was through the use of humour. In this story 12 year old Philip Wright wants to be a comedian and is always telling jokes. As well as coping with unrequited love, a school bully called the Yeti and the normal hormonal changes of being a teenager he finds out that his mum has cancer. To cope, he starts writing to British television star and comedian Harry Hill for some advice. At times hilariously funny and at other times poignant and sad this novel will really pull at the heartstrings. It will resonate with those children who have experienced illness in their family but will also appeal to those who enjoy family stories and humour.
Suitable for 9+ cancer, family, bullying, comedy
Profile Image for Tale time.
25 reviews
April 6, 2023
This novel was inspired by the author's own experience as she was diagnosed with breast cancer as a single mother in her mid-4os. Her son was 10 years old at the time. Using humour was one strategy they used to deal with her treatment and her diagnosis. In this story, her son, Philip is constantly cracking jokes because he dreams to be a comedian.
In addition to dealing with forbidden love, the Yeti, a bully at school, and the typical hormonal changes associated with adolescence, he learns that his mother has cancer. In order to cope, he begins writing to television personality, Harry Hill for help.
This book will definitely pull your emotions because it can be both heartbreakingly sad and brilliantly humorous at different points. It will connect with kids who have witnessed illness in their families, but it will also be fascinating to those who like family stories and humour.
Profile Image for Sarah.
392 reviews2 followers
July 5, 2021
Some heavy topics dealt with with a deft and light touch, injecting humour into an otherwise hard and at times bleak scenario. Philip is 12 and struggling. Humour is the light in his world and writing to his favourite comedian enables him to ask the questions he seeks answers for. The novel breaks down some barriers and gives kids a voice in a situation where they might feel powerless and without a voice. Well done.
Profile Image for Agibbs1978.
341 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2019
Irish author and published in Dublin, Ireland. Was highly recommended to me by a book store reviewer/buyer at a book store there in Dublin. So grateful for that conversation I had that day, thankful we walked into that specific store - truly our best experience!!

A great read about a boy and his mum, his interest in comedy, life with a bully, and so much more!!!
351 reviews1 follower
August 27, 2020
A book I think will appeal to a lot of younger teens, it achieves a lovely balance between happy and sad with Philip’s joking reaction to what is a very common and upsetting situation and treads a good line between his flippancy and uncomprehending despair. (And Harry Hill comes out of it very well too!)
41 reviews1 follower
March 10, 2023
This wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great either. It felt like i was reading someones diary and there was no punch at the end cause it was just their everyday life. That being said, the writing was good, the character were clear and well describe. I am clearly not the plan public for this book but i still enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Seawood.
1,051 reviews
May 1, 2018
I didn't particularly enjoy this as it's not my kind of humour at all, but children who've enjoyed Wimpy Kid and are looking to move on but retain that same kind of humour should enjoy it very much. Handle with care in your school library as cancer is a main topic.
1 review
August 16, 2021
This is a great book for all ages, it's great for a good laugh or smile. this book has great humor and comedy. it's about a 12-year-old boy who loves a girl but also has to deal with a bully. his mum gives him some seriously bad news. Philip goes through a lot, whats going to happen next.
Profile Image for Kate.
562 reviews26 followers
April 30, 2018
I found Hamill's writing to be clichéd and predictable, with a boorish main character. Because of these issues, I abandoned this novel at 20%
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