Brianna North

Stay Strong Brianna North

Ryan Wheldon is just ten years old, but it doesn't mean he is no stranger to tragedy. He lost his first friend at four years old and experienced the heart-wrenching loss of his father three years ago. Things seem to be clearing up now, however, and his life is centered around nothing but skateboarding, playing with his neighbours, and trying to keep his three younger siblings from annoying him. As fourth grade comes to a close, he is determined to have the best summer yet, filled with vacations and never-ending beach days.

That is, until his eight-year-old brother, Cody, is diagnosed with leukemia.

The Wheldon family is then forced to move three hours away to Meadowview, where Cody will receive his treatment at the children's hospital. Their lives are now a mess of doctors and too-big medical terms, none of which Ryan can quite understand. But it's not all-an accident Ryan believes he caused puts his youngest sibling's life in danger, rocking his world. The perfect summer is suddenly far from his reach, but to get through it, he and his family can only learn to stay strong.