Side Effects
By Amy Goldman Koss
Cancer, unfortunately, isn’t just for grownups, but way too often there isn’t much in the way of books speaking to kids and teens in a voice that is believable. Amy Goldman Koss has definitely resolved this problem in her book Side Effects. Not only is the voice crystal clear, but the 15-year-old narrator, Izzy, is so authentic it’s difficult to believe she’s not a real person. Perhaps best of all, even though the book is written for a younger audience, it’s absolutely a plausible adult read.
No one dies in Side Effects, which is another nice twist in a genre that all too often has the character get sick, go through unthinkable treatments, and then die. Rather than a tear-jerker, Side Effects might be called a laugh-jerker – which is not only very refreshing, but much needed.
Sure, there are pain, fear, vomiting and tears, but those elements are not what define Izzy’s story. Readers get a gritty, feisty, sarcastic firsthand account of what it’s like to be dealing with lymphoma when what you should really be doing is figuring out what to wear, what movie you want to see, what boy you would like to kiss, or even how to get your driver’s license.
Although there’s nothing funny about cancer, Izzy keeps her sense of humor even at the hardest of times. She deals with a mother who doesn’t always cope well, a setting that is daunting even for grown-ups, and a sibling who often doesn’t have a clue. These created realities resonate in a very authentic way.
Added to this are the restraints of being a teenager, and a sick one at that, which creates a messy blend of what Izzy is allowed to do and what is restricted. There are still homework and exams but there are also concessions because of her illness. Teens have a difficult time navigating their normal world, which makes author Koss’ ability to give the reader a believable “inside” view of this distorted realm so compelling.
When asked what inspired her to write Side Effects, author Koss explains, “Spite, mostly. I wanted to get back at all the people I thought acted like jerks when a person I knew got cancer. (I don't want to exploit this kid since she's a minor, so I'm not saying who it is). But ah! Writer's revenge! It shows up in all my books in little or big ways. It's the tattletale in me I guess. But besides spite, I also thought writing a funny, tough cancer book would be fun. A real life horror story, as far as the ghastliness of chemo etc., but un-sentimental, non-denominational and sap-free. Above all, I wanted to write a first person survivor's story that I wouldn't be embarrassed to have an actual teenager with cancer read.”
Mission accomplished.