Review; Magic Diary by Pat LaMarche

A while ago I recieved an ARC of the YA novel Magic Diary by Pat LaMarche through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but I haven't posted my review until now.

Description from Goodreads
Magic Diary is funny, frightening, and fantastic. The unique structure of this novel delivers sensitive insight into the life and death struggles of a critically ill child and her family. When a charming 14-year-old former cancer patient relapses, she pours her heart into the journal her high school English teacher gives her.

Encouraged to share her thoughts with the diary, Genevieve is promised magical results. Her teacher pledges “If you write what you’re thinking, time will pass more quickly.” Knowing how slowly time can pass in the hospital, Genevieve does as she is told.

Like most 21st century cancer patients, Genevieve has to face her fears while she struggles to get better. Genevieve worries how her illness effects those she loves. She strives to relate what she learns in school with what her own family and the other ill and injured children of the hospital’s pediatric floor must face.

Magic Diary is a modern day “A Christmas Carol” full of spectral visitors who help Genevieve better understand love, fear, living, and dying – with tales of how they faced those challenges when they were alive. Magic Diary is a 21st century history book full of historic figures sharing their experiences so a hopeful kid can better understand the world around her.

You’ve never had so much fun learning about the past!

My Thoughts on the Book
I loved the story, the concept, the characters and the message of the book, but it was something with the writing style that I struggled a little bit with for some reason.

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