Review of First Survivor

[Mari Cruz Romero]

[Following is a volunteer review of "First Survivor" by Mark Unger.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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This is the story of Lou Unger, a three-year-old who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. This book navigates the difficulties that came with the cursed diagnosis, which primarily affected Lou, but the turmoil also affected his family. On Thanksgiving, the Unger family was first introduced to “Neuroblastoma,” a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Immediately, Lou’s parents became obsessed with Lou’s survival and started to advocate for their son. They put all the shock, pain, and anger aside to focus solely on Lou’s well-being. Mr. Unger made an exceptional effort to learn all about the terminology and procedures Lou was going to face. Mr. Unger called it a “go-to activity” which gave him comfort and reassurance of having control over Lou’s situation, but it was also what helped him seek new hospitals, treatments, and trials, which in the end saved his son's life. During this battle, Lou is put through endless treatments whose severity could have easily doomed an adult. Nevertheless, this child was as brave as one could ever imagine and conquered each treatment with courage. Sadly, his recovery had its ups and downs, but thanks to the perseverance of his parents and doctors, Lou fully recovered and was finally cured of this terrible disease.

My rating is four out of five stars. I can firmly say that I love this book, and the story will stick with me for a long time. The support and love that the Unger family showed is a message of an outstanding ovation, considering what they went through. I admire how collectively they navigated the hardships and never gave up. Additionally, the writing is simple and clear, which helps to make this book a smooth read. On top of that, this book is impeccably edited. I didn't find any typos, which made this book a pleasant read. Furthermore, the editing was so flawlessly done that it made this book an enjoyable and easy read.

Finally, I would highlight that the book has a heavily scientific background, and if your knowledge of biology is limited, you might need to take some notes. Even so, Mr. Unger's writing is really clear and supported with examples. Additionally, the book has a medical background and glossary, which would clarify and answer any question.

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First Survivor
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[Grace Jane]

A compelling exploration of the medical challenges faced by families.