Fear of Missing Out

Gr 9 Up—Sixteen-year-old Astrid has an astrocytoma in her brain, a sweet younger brother, a grief-stricken patient advocate of a mom, a loyal and honest best friend, and a super caring boyfriend. But she may not have any of them for long, with little hope for treatment of her tumor. Her future on earth looks grim, but what if she woke up in a future where there was a cure? While her mother urges a grueling trial study, Astrid pursues cryopreservation with mixed reactions from her friends and family. A vlog to help fund a road trip to the cryopreservation company and potentially the experience itself goes viral after Astrid finally makes a decision about how to handle the end of her life. Yet this is not a road trip YA novel; rather it is an unflinching account of the intrusion of terminal illness into a teen's life. Astrid approaches her ordeal with candor and self-respect, which does not make her a saint; she makes mistakes and misjudgments along the way. The author compellingly portrays her unique ties with her loved ones and how her death will affect each one differently. The relationship between Astrid and her mother is extraordinarily, palpably full of love and vulnerability. The poignancy is tempered by humor, the science Astrid so loves, and by her determination to take what control she can over her painfully shortened life. McGovern's impeccable writing carries readers through an incredible journey of self-exploration.