I found out yesterday that one of the most remarkable people I know has advanced stage melanoma. She is, as expected, taking the most aggressive approach toward wellness and has happily made it through her first round of biochemotheraphy. After I cried a bit for her situation, I began to think about how brave Sarah is and what book I might send along to her to prop her up a bit and allow her to spend some time with her three kids, as she fights this 4 month battle with her body. Quickly, I determined to find the bravest characters I know. The first two heros who popped into my mind are Mrs. Frisby and Frodo.
In Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O'Brien, Mrs. Frisby risks everything to protect her son Timothy. Among the many risks she takes in her journey to preserve her family, she enters the tree hollow which is occupied by the wisest old owl for advice. As she trips on the bones of her kind, she faces her fears and secures the information she is after. All of the decisions she makes are selfless. In the end she is rewarded for her courage.
To my great surprise, I just discovered that Jane Leslie Conly wrote a sequel to this beloved novel called Rasco and the Rats of Nimh. It seems to tell the story of the rats as they continue their journey. I have put it on hold at the library and will let you know right away if we get an update on Mrs. Frisby and her family.
I am headed to Barnes and Noble now to send both of these books to Sarah. Her kids are 8 and 9, so this will be a perfect fit for family reading time. It also approaches illness in a gentle way and ends with wellness.
For tommorow...Frodo.
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