Cursed

This was an awesome read. It was definitely refreshing to read a diverse book starting a teen who was recently diagnosed with a disability and upset about it Ricky and Oliver were so cute togetjer. I really liked Ricky.

I wanted to review this book after seeing the main character surfers from a chronic illness, totally relatable to myself in some ways.



Only I suffer from fibromyalgia and other rheumatoid illnesses where as Erica or Ricky suffers with severe arthritis at just fourteen causing her to skip school and struggle with daily life from waking to sleeping, all day is a struggle to walk and be in endless pain.



As she deals with her parents divorce and her health she loses her way with school work, has to stand up to bullies, find new friends and become less colourful with her anger language of cursing!



As she gets tutored after school and makes friends with Ollie and Julio her crush grows but will she realise on who in time as well as finally getting her separated parents to listen to get about how she feels?



It was a good book, however I can't help but feel that Erica didn't actually curse that much, I felt and expected her to be more frustrated than she was given the title and would be liked to have had her mum more features in the whole book as she didn't a lot but then again Erica does try to be fully independent. But for the chronic pain and illness side of things it was fully realistic and accurate and it's great to see chronic pain featuring in a young adult book for once at last too!



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

I want to thank Netgalley for providing me an Arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was awesome.
I will be honest and say some parts were hard to read because of bullying.
I loved our main character I felt like I was going on this journey with her and I really loved it.
She was so real and in pain I just wanted her to get better.
Oliver is defiantly my favourite character I honestly loved him and his story made me cry.
Overall I’m now obsessed with this book and think everyone needs to read it. 5 well deserved stars.

Cursed by Karol Ruth Silverstein is a great YA #ownvoices read about being a teen with a chronic illness. The story is inspired by the author's own health experiences making this one all the more real in describing what the main character goes through. The story focuses on Erica "Ricky" Bloom. Ricky has been newly diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. She is also starting at a new school. When the story begins, Ricky has straight up stopped going to school (unbeknownst to her parents) because it was just too much to navigate. Right off the bat, it subtlety speaks to how systems and processes can be exhaustive and exclusive. Eventually, she is found out, and she has to learn how to navigate the school, including her classmates, her teachers (especially missed work), and the building itself. Her parents are also recently separated, so she's managing this new normal. Finally, she's managing her care. One of the pieces I appreciated about this dimension of the story is the way they talked about finding the right doctor. She seamlessly wove into the story the importance of having comfortability with provider even for teens. I overall appreciated reading a story about a character with an identity that isn't often spotlighted. Ricky also just had this cynical sense of humor that I really dug. Overall, this book so wonderfully shared the struggles of chronic illness, as well as how Ricky learns to navigate all the things happening in her life. This one won't be out until June (once again, NetGalley allowed me the early view), and this will be one that you'll want to be sure to check out.

Well what can I say about this book, I loved it! The main character Erica AKA Ricky is amazing with a great sense of humor, and the fact that she narrates the story makes a difficult subject enjoyable and comical. While Ricky is like most other kids she differs in one huge way, she suffers from chronic illness. This was very interesting because I don't know much about this disease so it was interesting to learn what people go through. While this disease would be trouble on its own throw in a parental divorce, bullies, and a lack of friends she seems to have had the whole book thrown at her in one go. I liked how Ricky talked about her illness and how it limited her but she didn't do it in a give me pity sort of way it was just matter of fact. Very well written. I loved Ricky's character from the very first page. Ricky's character is right up there with the greats such as Holden Caufield, and Jack from Emma Donoghue's Room. I also liked how this book showed that just because someone doesn't show something on the outside it doesn't mean that they aren't in pain or struggling with something on the inside. The best part about this book for me was when Ricky met Oliver. They were so cute together and I loved the contrast in their
personalities. Nice job and I'm glad I got to check out this wonderful story.

This book is suited a little bit towards older children (10+) but I think that it is very important and addresses the concept of a child dealing with a chronic pain illness.

Once the book opens, the main character, Erica, seems a little too much like a younger Holden Caulfield; Skips her fancy school, is estranged from her friends, and is basically a youth in revolt.

However, it turns out the girl is dealing with debilitating early onset arthritis that makes her question her worth as a person, and kind of explains everything.

As the book goes on, her character is developed quite nicely as she discovers that she is not the only one with issues, and she can always ask for help.

It seems like a youth in revolt story but it really delves into what it means to have such an illness as a kid and how to deal with it.

This #ownvoices novel centers around Erica ‘Ricky’ who has juvenile arthritis. I read this entire book in a few hours as I just couldn’t put it down. I quickly became invested in these characters and would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an amazing read!

As a parent of a child who suffers from a chronic illness, I couldn't wait to read this novel. Karol Ruth Silversteing absolutely nails the intensity of emotions when dealing with chronic pain as well as beautifully handles the already awkward time of starting high school. I loved this book and, if I could, would make everyone I know read it.

Cursed originally caught my eye because it’s tackles chronic iilness. I feel like there’s aren’t many in mainstream YA fiction so I was excited.

Although I suffer from chronic illness I am not a teenager anymore. Even so, I could relate to aspects of this book, especially the frustration about things you cannot control.

I loved how the author showed that the main characters illness affected every aspect of her life, for example - getting into the bath. She focused on the little details as well as the bigger, more obvious things.

I recognised that angry part in the main character. When things are so far out of your control, it’s hard to breathe, it’s hard to live just knowing and feeling everything going on in your body.

I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to reading more of this authors work!

Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgally for review purposes.

So anyone who follows my reviews probably knows I'm a little harsh on YA. I keep reading it then get upset when I don't like it, so clearly I'm a glutten for punishment 🤷.

That being said, I really really enjoyed this. From start to finish. Maybe I'm a little biased because being about a girl with chronic illness, I related heavy. I'm also a spoonie and though I'm not out of HS I also was barely there and was told I wouldn't be able to graduate since I missed so much school work.

Other than the heavy relation, the characters also stood out and were easy to remember. They didn't all blur and mix together in a seemingly similar way, and overall I liked them all. Not only that but the voice was strong and actually FELT like things young adults do, say, ect. So many of these books just strike a nerve because the kids always act differently than kids in real life.

The book also stayed relevant with chronic illness life, which as probably anyone with chronic illness knows one of the hardest things is doctors not believing, not listening, or just not caring!!

So if you're also a spoonie you'll be able to relate and feel a connection but if you're not I feel like this would be really eye opening, while also just being a fun read!

Recommend!!

I loved that this is an #ownvoices read! The portrayal of chronic illness in this story is clearly written from a perspective of someone who also battles chronic illnesses, so it added a more realistic perspective to this story.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read. At times, I definitely found myself getting emotional during certain scenes that contained challenging topics. What I loved most is that this book was real. It didn't focus on only the fluffy parts of illness, but unwaveringly portrayed the challenges and hardships that can come alongside it.

I initially wasn't exactly sure about this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. I found it quite engaging, the writing felt light and easy to read despite the fact that the subject it tackled at times was everything but light and easy to read. I thought the characters were well-developed, they had a nice dynamic, and they were definitely easy to connect to. The plot was interesting, paced well - it kept my attention throughout.
The story was realistic, captivating, and to me it was very relatable. It's just such a hopeful story, but in an unusual way, and it's a must-read for every fan of YA fiction, especially if you suffer from chronic pain.

I really enjoyed this own voices book about a teen girl with chronic illness. Ricky is a great character, and I especially liked how the book charted Ricky's journey to accept her arthritis and learn to ask for help.

However, what I really loved was how the book pointed out how the school had to be pushed into giving Ricky accommodations, that the medical profession weren't always listening to her, and then gave us examples of how much better Ricky coped once the accommodations and the right medication were in place.

While I definitely think teens (and adults) with chronic illness can relate to Ricky, I think it's even more important for those without chronic illness to read these kinds of stories.

This is such a refreshing read! It's one of the first books I've read with a main character who has chronic pain, where it's actually a central topic of the book. And seeing as the rep for this is own voices, I really appreciated that.

While I don't have a chronic illness myself, the title "cursed" - being used by the MC to describe her chronically ill body - seems a little iffy. But I did love seeing a disabled character portrayed in a way that's not stereotypical and in a way that centers her as a person, and not as an inspiration or someone to pity for others. She gets to be angry, and she gets to resent how she feels and what she's unable to do.

"I guess it's no big deal to them. It's obviously not suddenly going to be a main topic of conversation [...]. Thank God. But at the same time, I feel a tinge of disappointment, like maybe I want them to care a little. But do I?"

Aspects of the book were very relatable for me, because being autistic, I have some similar experiences. Of course you never want people to make a huge deal about it and treat you differently once they find out, but on the other hand... it also sort of stings when they brush it off like it's nothing. And that happens all the time. You tell someone you're autistic (and I imagine it's the same with a lot of disabilities and chronic illnesses) and maybe you give an example of what you struggle with, and then they'll immediately project it onto themselves and say something like "oh yeah, I get that too!" Which is probably meant to be supportive and accepting, but it feels a lot more like erasure and dismissal.

I also loved some of the on-page discussions, like about how medical professionals aren't always best equipped to deal with chronic pain, and how it should be okay to try to find a doctor who's a good match for you.

Before picking up this book, I actually didn't expect to enjoy it a lot, but I did want to give it a shot. And I'm so pleasantly surprised! There's a lot of character development as well, and not just in the main character, but in her parents as well.

Rep: chronic illness/chronic pain

CWs: (internalized) ableism, bullying, cancer, hospitals, mention of panic attacks

Jam-packed with Catastrophes and Victories

Cursed is about a girl called Ricky who has recently been diagnosed with arthritis. She feels like she is cursed and is quite moody and annoyed. She skips school (and takes baths instead) because she struggles to cope with it. When her parents find out that she has been skipping school, she is forced to go to school again. The book is about the crazy catastrophes she encounters at school and whether the arthritis will get better.

The book reminded me a bit of Wonder because both August and Ricky have to go through school feeling different from everyone else. It is like they are going solo and I think that it is a feeling a lot of kids have even if they don't have the same problems that Ricky does. She isn't a nice character at the start of the book and she is jam-packed with problems both inside and outside of school. I enjoyed wondering how things will get better for her.

I liked that when a disaster happens Ricky's mind swirls, whirls and goes into crazy panic and disaster mode. Also when she gets annoyed she exaggerates it so that it's funny. The book is also full of strong, determined and crazy characters, which I loved. People who like reading books where action is always happening will enjoy it too.I would definitely recommend this book to my friends especially those who like books like Wonder, Fish in a Tree and Goldfish Boy. I would give this book 4 stars out of 5.

Disclaimer: Although my mom was my age when she collapsed at her nursing job due to degenerative disc disease, and was never able to return to work, (she has been on Social Security Disability since then for that social anxiety, and depression) she is the major influence behind my choosing Cursed by Karol Ruth Silverstein, to review.


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Thank you to Charlesbridge Teen and NetGalley for an Arc in exchange for an honest review
Now, in her… ahem… I shouldn’t tell my mom’s age, I suppose, (I do have permission to share her story) it has progressed to arthritis, multiple sclerosis and scoliosis. Additionally, she has had half of a lung removed due to lung cancer and most recently (during the hiatus I took from blogging) a pulmonary embolism that has led to her needing a daily nebulizer and Inogen (portable oxygen).

This made it very validating and refreshing when the main character talks about patients knowing more than doctors about their conditions. Ricky discusses often and candidly about her fight and need to advocate for herself until she found doctors who listened to her needs. Basically, until she found the right doctor and what a long and arduous process that can be.

As a daughter, I learned so much about being an advocate for myself in ALL aspects of life watching my mom fight for hers. Until now. Now she needs my brother and I to do what she can no longer do. Had we not watched and learned from her. Had we not put into practice for ourselves, as Ricky did. We could not do.it now for her.

It is these moments that make Cursed so powerful. I can’t say I’ve read many own voice books about teenagers suffering from chronic illness. However, I know now how incredibly important they are because they teach the lessons my mom had to learn on her own, much later in life. And these lessons are essential to a battle they will have to fight every day of their lives.

Yes, it is tiring. Yes, it is frustrating. But build the emotional grit for it now and your emotional and physical well being will thank you in the long run ten-fold. This I know from experience.

Ricky’s day-to-day swing in emotions is authentic and true. Everything I’ve already discussed would make anyone moody, disgruntled and frustrated. It would an adult. Throw in the fact that while no one feels this type of illness is fair? To a teenager it feels like the carpet of a life planned, pulled out from under you. On top of that Ricky is dealing with the demise of her parents marriage.

Silverstein does a fantastic job isolating the daily obstacles Ricky faces. Things most wouldn’t think of unless they suffer from a chronic illness. For example, getting taking a bath, not going to school because of a lack of mandated accommodations. It is a whole new way to live and world to navigate.

Lastly, people often mean well when they want to relate. My mom’s illness originated in her back and often people would kind of chuckle and say oh yeah my back is always killing me. Mom never made a big deal of it in public but in private she felt like people dismissed her as being dramatic.

Ricky’s struggle with those same questions- whether she really wanted authentic attention or she wanted to push back on feeling dismissed hit home.

This is an important read and not just for teenagers suffering from chronic illness. For their parents, for all educators, social workers, counselors, nurses and teenagers in general as we move to having a more inclusive approach to our school system/society dynamics.

Whether mental or physical, you don’t know what people are going through. And if you do? You might know the big picture but not the day in and day out struggles. You might not know just how to support them or what to say. That’s ok.

The best thing you can do is make yourself aware. Ask if they want to talk about what they are going through and how you can help. And most importantly? Don’t just walk away because it is too much. If you think it is too much for you? Imagine how they feel.

Enjoyed reading this book and learning more about juvenile arthritis through the main character. I think these books are important for kids to read so that they can understand and empathize with others.

A hugely impressive contemporary own voices YA book, Cursed by Karol Ruth Silverstein is an empowering and emotional read that will speak to people of all ages.
Erika, better known as Ricky, is 14 and trying to come to terms with her parent's divorce, but even worse that that she is coming to terms with a diagnosis that will impact every day of her life. It's only been a few months but she's already changed schools and lost all her friends , embarrassed herself and had to deal with unendurable pain and frustration, and just to add insult to injury she is still in middle school despite most kids her age having moved on, because her new school is a three year middle school. Its no wonder that she has decided that school is not for her, and has not gone to class for weeks , but unfortunately despite her best scheming and plotting the truth is bound to come out. In order to graduate with her class and avoid either Summer school or yet another year of middle school, she is going to have to put in a serious amount of work, not just academically, but on herself too.
It is rare to find a YA book focused on a character with chronic pain, and as someone who suffers from a similar condition to Erica ( though I am a *cough* few years older , I can attest to how accurate the description of pain and it's impact on even the smallest aspects of your life, really is . I found myself wincing, not just in empathy but also in recognition. I loved that Erika grew, not so much into a tolerance of her condition, but an acceptance of it., in a positive way, where she found ways to work around it to do the things she wanted to do. Another important feature that I appreciated was her increasing confidence in her ability to advocate for herself, both when dealing with her doctors and with teachers at school.The message of being and advocate for your own health, and the importance of having a medical practitioner who listens to you is one that is really important. It is really refreshing to have a character like RIcky be allowed to be angry and frustrated, so much more realistic that the more stereotypical inspirational character she could have been. Sadly it is also a very realistic book in terms of the challenges she faces in school, and the amount of pushing she and her Dad have to do to get the most basic of accommodations like a key for the school elevator and an understanding that she may need more time to move between classrooms. While the focus of the book is on RIcky, the author has not shortchanged the other characters, and their relationships with RIcky are well crafted and very believable. The most interesting of these were her developing friendship with classmate Ollie, and the grudgingly earned mutual respect between her and her teacher. It's also important to note that while Ricky may dealing with a few more physical issues that most teens, she is also dealing with issues like crushes , bullying and learning what it means to be a good friend, and learning a lot about herself along the way, including the importance of not ignoring the fact that other people have problems too, even when your problems seem so much bigger.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

⚠ Content Warnings: Bullying. Cursing (Duh.) Divorce. Illnesses, doctors and treatments.
⚠ Read if: you are a fan of Nicola Yoon or John Green.

Cursed is an amazing #OwnVoices Young Adult novel that took me by surprise. We have read so many books discussing various physical and mental illness but this is a first one that revolves around juvenile arthritis.





“The only people who think of arthritis as minor aches and pains are people who don’t have it.”


Personally, I am aware of how intense the pain is because my dad suffers from gouty arthritis. He really cannot walk because of the pain and inflammation that its hard to imagine kids going through that kind of pain especially in the worse cases.

Cursed talked about the journey of Erica aka Ricky, who was bombarded with too many changes at the same time: her parent's divorce, changing homes, changing schools, and her disease.



At first I was uncomfortable with how angry the book's mood was. Ricky was so mad with the world that her thoughts were so heavy to read. I really struggled with that, because I tend to feel so much for characters and I was contemplating to DNF this for my mental health.

But, I wanted to understand Ricky. And I wanted to root for her. I wanted to believe that somewhere along the way she will find the balance that she needs and be happier, in general.



I am so happy that I decided to push through because I am so proud of Ricky. I won't spoil too much, but it was a wonderful journey to read. I love that she had a great support system. Her family clearly loves her a lot. She made a good friend in Oliver, too. I love so many elements in this book, including the writing style and the support characters. I especially love the speech she made in class, and how the ending was made in general.

This is a great book, and I hope this will be required reading in middle school or high school students.

☁ THE CRITERIA ☁

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cursed definitely got better for me as time went on. It follows the story of Ricky, short for Erica, who has a chronic illness. She's been skipping school for SIX WEEKS and finally gets caught.

We follow Rickey as she goes back to school, tries to connect with her crush, and tries to find acceptance.

The writing seemed juvenile at first - but that was just Ricky. She had a lot of growing up to do. She did it with the help of her most-hated-turned-favorite teacher.

You don't discover what illness RIckey has until about halfway through the book. I started picking up on it pretty early on. I had some knowledge of it being a nurse, but my best friend's sister also has the disease.

I loved that it was own voices. It's nice to see representation of someone with this "mystery illness". This is the first book that I've read that featured that illness.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about kids with illness or loves YA contemporary.

Warning: this book does contain swearing!

Loved it! Ricky was relatable and real. It was thoughtful without being preachy. I don't suffer from a chronic disease, but this felt like a very accurate depiction of a teenager struggling to adjust to her new normal. Gave me all the feels!

YA is not my usual kind of book but as someone with a chronic illness, I had to give it a read. I am all about having more Chronic illness/disability representation out there especially more stories that don’t revolve around that person being cured because that isn’t real life.

I actually really enjoyed this book and I thought it portrayed being a teenager with a chronic illness really well. It showed how difficult everyday things such as getting up and dressed can be as well as how hard we have to fight for accommodations and decent health care. I loved that there was more to the story though. Her illness was just part of her life and she was still a "normal teen" with an interesting plot.

I found some parts hard to read having been there myself but it was so great getting to see Ricky grow and adapt. I think this is such a great book for any young people struggling with their diagnosis. It shows that it’s okay to ask for help and that it can get better.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review

Books about chronic illness tend to focus on finding positivity. We see sick kids as eternally sunshiny, plucky, inspirations. Ricky is the exact opposite. She suffers constant pain. She's cranky, angry at the world, and desperate to be "normal". If she can't feel normal she just wants to hide from her reality. Even once she begins to accept her new normal, she stays prickly. This isn't a flaw she needs to correct but rather an inherent part of her personality. It's nice to see a protagonist who isn't everyone's best friend. Even more than that, this book has an important message about medical care. Ricky learns about her condition, reads up on potential treatments. She's an informed patient and learns to advocate for her own care. While there were some less realistic elements, the messages are strong enough to make up for flaws.

I wasn't sure about this book at first because I have a chronic illness and I've been let down by books with characters with a chronic illness before, but that wasn't the case with this book thankfully. It was kind of refreshing to read a book I could relate to more so than most. The story is captivating and real and that's why I enjoyed it as much as I did. I believe all the characters played their part in the development of the story. I am so glad that I decided to request this book. I highly recommend this book especially to those with a chronic illness looking for a relatable book.

Thank you, NetGalley and Charlesbridge Publishing for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Middle grade reads can be so difficult to find! (this review caters to that demographic and star rating is specific to that age group). It's really hard to find appropriate, not too racy reads for this age group and this book was perfect. It offered real life lessons about a girl experiencing both common and not too common difficulties in her life. Ricky sees herself as "cursed" mostly because of her juvenile arthritis and the fact that her parents are separating. Ricky's anger and pain cloud her vision and guide her actions until she's forced to succumb to change. Sometimes it's difficult not to choose wallowing in your pain over taking that step to make it better, to accept help over living in those feelings of inadequacy at the idea of not being able to do it on your own. I could just feel how impactful having such a relatable character choose bravery and change over pain and anger will be.

Actual Rating: 4.5/ 5 stars

I didn’t really know what to expect when I began reading “Cursed” by Karol Ruth Silverstein. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. I could not put it down! The story centers around Erica “ Ricky’ bloom who has just been diagnosed with a chronic illness that causes her pain daily. The book focuses on not only that aspect but also her life in general.
One of the things I really liked about this book was that it remained focused on the illness itself. So many times, in books that are about illnesses, we see them take a turn towards romance or something along those lines. Ricky has a great support system. This is truly her story. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.


* I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

This was a a book i truly enjoyed, and i learned alot about 'Roo' and became to like her alot over the pages. She was funny, smart, smart-mouthed and i loved Oliver, cute, nice, smart Oliver. I Shipped them so hard. But this was also important on so many levels, to understand illnesses we not always can see and it sometimes is very hard to ask for help.

It's refreshing to see a young person with chronic illness in a story. Real kids with the same health woe will be glad to see themselves in a story. Ricky is believable and acts out in a way that a real kid facing these same issue might behave. Teens will relate.

A heartfelt book indeed. Being a normal person at one point and suddenly being diagnosed with a dying illness hits a lot of people. Just anyone really. My eyes welt up a bit at times reading this book

4.5 stars. I have taken a very long time to sit with this book and review it and while it's been a while since I have read it, every part of the story has stuck with me. If you have a chronic illness/condition or if you know someone who suffers from that (a classmate, friends, family member, etc.) this is a MUST READ. I was originally drawn to this book because I too suffer from chronic pain. Therefore I can say first hand that the portrayal of the conditions which people with chronic conditions face is wholly accurate and extremely well done. I didn't just relate to Ricky (our main character), I felt for her also. I cannot stress enough how wonderful this book is for understanding and learning about chronic illnesses. Whether you are a teenager or an adult, this story will touch you and teach you at the same time and should be read by everyone as it's filled with insight, compassion, and love. Highly recommend!

I never thought I'd see myself represented in a YA book this way. I don't have juvenile arthritis like Ricky, so our experiences aren't entirely comparable, but I do have a different chronic illness that involves joint pain. I found myself recognizing so much of Ricky's life, from the making adjustments in the way she sits so that her joints will hurt less later (and sometimes forgetting and facing the consequences) to the anger and frustration towards her illness that sometimes takes over. So many little things that are such an ingrained part of my life now, but that I've never seen matched so closely in fiction. (And on the subject of representation, Ricky is Jewish as well! Her religion doesn't play a large part in the story, but I find characters who share multiple marginalized identities with me so rarely that I was very pleasantly surprised.)

Disability isn't something that's often represented in YA fiction, and chronic illness even less so. When these are represented, they're often handled poorly, falling into tired tropes or ableist clichés. It's so refreshing to read a chronically ill main character from an author who gets it.

Ricky's arthritis isn't presented as a good thing by any means. But it's also not presented as a tragedy. It's a fact of her life that she's learning how to deal with.

My actual enjoyment of this book might be closer to 4 stars (I didn't much care for the romantic subplot, and that dominated in some areas), but this book is so important and is going to stick with me for so long that I'm sure it will be a 5-star read in retrospect, so I'll just go ahead and say that now.

CW: bullying, ableism, sexual assault

I REALLY loved this book! It was so refreshing to see a chronically ill MC in YA. I could have done without the romance element. It was a very realistic depiction of dealing with chronic illness as a teen.

Cursed is such a fantastic read. The writing is witty, sharp, emotional, and deeply immersive. Silverstein's heroine is wonderfully complicated. She's far from perfect, which keeps her from being a symbolic hero or martyr and makes her land on the page with the kind of complexity anyone can relate to. She makes some bad choices and some good choices, like everyone else, and she does so while dealing with a challenge most of us don't have to face.

This is a book about a teenager dealing with chronic pain. It's also a book about developing confidence, mending broken friendships, finding your tribe, and learning to speak up for what you need--even when that's really, really hard to do. It's about building tools to manage the challenges life throws at us, whether that's illness, family struggles, or just getting over our own mistakes. It's at once a very specific story and a profoundly universal one.

There's a beautiful mentorship story woven through, as well as an a-dork-able romance. I loved the relationships the heroine formed, and the brilliant wit with which the story was told. It's a book that lets us see through the eyes of someone with unique challenges while being thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. It's also filled with love. It's a powerful debut and I hope we see a lot more from Silverstein in years to come.

Cursed came along when there was a trend of books about young adults with life-changing or life limiting illnesses. You know the type – A Fault in Our Stars, Five Feet Apart etc. It was a strange time for books because Misery seemed to sell. What I felt was very different about Cursed is that it also included some factual information.

Silverstein presents Ricky Bloom as being very angry at her diagnosis, fed up at the way her life has changed, frustrated at being different. As someone who had a chronic illness (long story but it has gone now) I felt seen. I felt like Silverstein wrote this frustration perfectly. Her tone was accurate and her ability to match medical worry with medical hope was something I haven’t seen in this genre of book before.

Cursed was a brilliant read and one I will be stocking in my school library.

Cursed by Karol Ruth Silverstien is available now.