Olivia and Zoe have been best friends since they met in dance class — which is pretty much their entire lives.  When their exclusive dance company cuts them, they stay close, despite Zoe’s difficulty coping with the change.  But when Olivia is diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia, their friendship is challenged as they both try to cope with the disease and its treatment.

Told from Zoe’s perspective, Maybe One Day is another in a long line of teenage cancer books.  But though the book is not original in basic plot, that doesn’t mean it’s an unworthy contribution to the genre.  While Zoe’s biggest concern throughout the book is Olivia and her treatment, her other struggles with school, boys (well, one boy in particular), and her future create a multi-faceted story that we can believe.  Zoe is not always a perfect character, prone to selfish behavior that only makes things more awkward or difficult, but her snark and sarcasm bring a levity to this melancholy novel that makes her more relatable.  Like Zoe, the book isn’t perfect, with a love interest who borders on being a doormat and a cast of supporting characters who do little besides express concern.  However, Zoe’s connection to Olivia creates an emotional, reflective narrative that redeems its flaws – as long as you aren’t looking for a character who is consistently selfless and scrupulously well-behaved.

We love helping people find books, movies, and more.

Tell us about your preferences, and our librarians will create a list of titles selected specifically for you.