World Cancer Day

A mum facing terminal illness reassures her daughter that she will always love her, in this beautiful, tender rhyming book written by Lisa Wells – who was diagnosed with terminal cancer – for her children to remember her by.

Alfie used to be good at football, but now his mother is dead and he no longer has the heart to play. A friendship with troubled Alice helps him cope with grief. A moving, convincing story about the delicate relationships between father, son and friend. 

When his brother becomes seriously ill with leukaemia, Colin is sent to stay with relatives in England. Determined to get the best help possible, he decides to approach the Queen.

A son of two scientists, it’s only natural that Albie uses quantum theory when his mum dies, to find a parallel universe where she’s still alive. Considering the topics covered, it’s a light read that even reluctant readers might be tempted to try.

When Martin and his neighbour bond over their love for horror films, he helps him realise his ambition to create a zombie movie. A wonderfully quirky, humorous and heartwarming read, with a compelling plot.

Jacqueline Wilson demonstrates her skill by capturing the experiences of a young carer, fearful about what the cancer will do to her mother.

Jordan is in remission from cancer but finding it difficult to make friends at his new school. One day, he gives a homeless man some soup and then, in the spirit of doing kind things, ends up secretly running a soup kitchen. Very funny and deeply moving. 

Connor’s mum has cancer and life is changing. There is the nightmare, then there is school, where people avoid him, or persecute him. And then there is the immense, mythic Monster.

This empathetic account of the process of bereavement, a month’s diary, reassures readers that we grow from our experiences, however painful they are.

During his cancer treatment, Ross just wants a normal teenage life. But this involves bullying, as well as crushes and great friends. A funny and realistic coming-of-age story.

High-functioning Stewart is happy at Genius Academy but his life is shattered when his Mum dies from cancer. Ashley is obsessed with her social standing at her own school, devastated by her dad moving out because he’s gay. They become unwilling siblings when their parents start a relationship.

If you thought you had found a potential cure for cancer, how far would you go to test your theory? A believable, daring and unnerving sci-fi thriller for teens.

When Matt’s mum tragically dies from cancer, it feels like all the joy is sucked out of his life. Then he meets a girl called Love. This is a profoundly beautiful, open-hearted, funny, tear-jerking, readable and relatable story, which explores grief in the truest sense.

John Green tackles the subject of teenage cancer with sensitivity in this witty, life-affirming young adult romance.