BOOK MARK
'Dragon' story of survival following teen's cancer

"STARING DOWN THE DRAGON" by Dorothea N. Buckingham; Sydney Press, paper, $10.95

By Wanda Adams
Advertiser Books Editor

Writer Dee Buckingham got the news last month that this, her second young adult novel, was selected as one of 84 "Best Books for Young Adults" for 2004 by the American Library Association. The honor is given for books with both good literary quality and popular reading appeal to young people ages 12 through 18; teens participate in the selection process. Two other authors with Island connections have been so honored: Graham Salisbury — who lives in Oregon but writes about Hawai'i — and Hawai'i's Clemence McLaren, author of "Inside the Walls of Troy."

"Staring Down the Dragon" is the story of Kailua teen Estrella "Rell" DeMello, who survives cancer but feels as though returning to normal life might kill her. This is because "normal" for someone who's been through cancer treatment includes the knowledge that it can always come back, and that life will never be the same.

For all that is unusual in her life, Rell is very much a normal teen: self-involved, inner-focused, often tripped up by her inability to articulate what's going on with her and by her inexperience. She knows both more, and less, than she thinks. She is exasperating at times, but also fresh and likable, which is important, because the book is told in first-person.

The book has been praised by those who work with cancer patients, and by teens, for reflecting the real experiences of young people with cancer. Proceeds from the book, which is being distributed to bookstores locally by Native Books, and which is also available online, go to cancer research.

Correction: A previous version of this book review did not acknowledge Clemence McLaren's award. At least three writers with Hawai'i connections have received the ALA honor.