A Boy and His Soul
- Publisher
- HARP Publishing The People's Press
- Initial publish date
- Sep 2020
- Category
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9780993829550
- Publish Date
- Sep 2020
- List Price
- $15.99
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781990137020
- Publish Date
- Aug 2020
- List Price
- $15.99
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Where to buy it
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age: 12 to 18
- Grade: 7 to 12
Description
A Boy and his Soul is the second in my trilogy of novels for and about children, teens, and their families, inspired by 40 years of caring for children with cancer. The story is a fantasy—but born of the real-life experiences of very ill and dying children. Eleven-year-old Jeremy, who has advanced leukemia, becomes aware of the presence of his ‘animated’ soul, Jewel inside him. Jewel guides Jeremy in helping his family and friends come to a peaceful acceptance of his coming death. These scenes are interwoven with Jeremy’s near-death experience. After an apparent journey to Heaven, he returns to Earth to say his final goodbyes to all his caregivers, friends, and family. As a pediatrician who has cared for many children who have died, I hope this book will make it easier for children and grown-ups to talk about these hard, hard things. Though parts may be challenging to read, I hope the hopeful and sometime humorous tone of A Boy and his Soul will make it an absorbing and inspiring read.
About the authors
John Graham-Pole is a retired professor of pediatrics (Professor Emeritus, University of Florida). He has been a clinician, teacher and pioneer researcher in the field of childhood cancer for forty years. Educated in the United Kingdom, he co-founded the Center for Arts in Medicine (www.arts.ufl.edu) at the University of Florida, now among the world’s leading arts-and-health organizations. He is co-publisher of HARP The People’s Press (www.harppublishing.ca), which is dedicated to producing print and online publications on art and health for a diverse readership. John’s personal website is www. Johngrahampole.com and he can be found on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
John Graham-Pole's profile page
Susan Napier is a former journalist and scriptwriter who turned to writing after her two sons were born. Born on St Valentine's Day, Susan feels that it was her destiny to write romances and, having written over thirty, she still loves the challenges of working within the genre. She likes writing traditional tales with a twist, and believes that to keep romance alive you have to keep the faith and believe in love of all kinds. Susan lives in New Zealand with her journalist husband.
Excerpt: A Boy and His Soul (by (author) John Graham-Pole; illustrated by Susan Napier)
Jeremy woke early the next morning like he always did. But just for once his sleep had been blissfully untroubled. No aches and pains, no sick to his stomach, no break out of sweats. None of that stuff that had been the regular scene for so many months.
Didn't I tell you I'd help you deal with stuff, Jerry-Jukes?
"Gosh, you didn't stay away long, Jewel. And I do believe in you. ...
You got it. Its because you 're starting to really believe in me. That I really am here inside you.
That's not quite it, Jubilee-Jube. Its believing--thats the biggie. You've got to believe I'm real. More real than a lot of everyday earth stuff actually.
Editorial Reviews
Absolutely riveting. Every living being-parent, grandparent, child-will be transformed by this story. A must read for healthcare professionals dealing with the harsh realities of supporting patients and families who are coping with life limiting illness. Tears of sorrow, laughter and joy heal us as our souls connect with this boy who found his own soul. Sandra L. Bertman, PhD, FT, LCSW, Scholar, Arts & Health Institute, Lesley University Author, Facing Death: Images, Insights & Interventions; Grief and the Healing Arts: Creativity as Therapy
Other titles by
Grace Notes on Nursing
Illness and the Art of Creative Self-Expression
Stories and exercise from the arts for those with illness and disability
Illness and the Art of Creative Expression
Healing by Intent
A Medical Memoir
Songlines
A Novel
Where Do the Young Ones Go To?
Poetry and Piano with John Graham-Pole & Cathy DeWitt
Blood Work
The People's Photo Album
A pictorial genealogy of the Antigonish Movement
