Handle with Care by Jodi Picault

This is an amazing story about Willow, a six year old girl who suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, known as brittle bone disease, told from the perspective of the people surrounding her. I usually don't enjoy novels written in the second person narrative voice, but it does make sense here, because all characters are addressing Willow. She is the motivation for the characters actions after all, at least for the family members.

The author tackled the controversial topic of the wrongful birth lawsuit so well, the characters are flawed but still likebale and the voice is soft but clear. It is more of a slower paced book, but each chapter adds more depth to the storyline. This is a novel you will think about, long after you finished reading it. Heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once.

I would definitely recommend this book! ( )

This is a compelling story told by Willow's mother, sister, father and the mother's best friend. I learned so much about ostegenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) and its affect on everyone involved. There were times I had to stop reading the book and then go back to it due to the intensity and heart wrenching aspects of the story. It made me thankful for my healthy children! ( )

Super stoked! ( )

In many ways Handle With Care had all the elements of a Jodi Picoult novel that I've grown to love. The problem I had with this one was the point of view Picoult used to tell her story to us the readers. The story was compelling as always; a young girl Willow, suffers from a rare disease which leaves every bone extremely brittle and subject to breakage at almost anytime. But each chapter begins with a character in 6 year old Willow's life telling Willow her own life story. From before Willow's birth, right up to her present with all the complications and details that we as adult readers of Picoult's novels would expect. I just couldn't get comfortable that idea and it's not till the very last chapter that it becomes clear that the characters weren't really telling the story to Willow. It was more like each character having an inner dialog in their own minds with the Willow that might have been. Sadly, the concept just didn't do it for me. That being said, I'll admit to being touched by many many moments in the novel. You can always count on Jodi for that ! ( )

Essentially, this was My Sister's Keeper with a new title. I kept asking myself whether I would have liked it better had I not read My Sister's Keeper first. ( )