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Always Smile

Carley Allison's Secrets for Laughing, Loving and Living

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

A tribute to the life and legacy of extraordinary teen Carley Allison.

Not long ago, seventeen-year-old Carley Allison had it all. She was on the edge of fame as a singer and composer. She was reaching for the highest levels as a competitive skater. She had a new boyfriend and a golden future waiting after graduation. Her world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with a rare kind of cancer in her throat. Her case, doctors said, was one in 3.5 billion. Faced with an uncertain new future, Carley rose to the challenge. Cancer treatment tested her, but she remained fearless and strong. Carley died before her twenty-first birthday, but her memory lives on in the countless people she touched with her courage. Bestselling author Alice Kuipers weaves their stories with the blog Carley kept in the final months of her life. These many voices—plus plenty of Carley's texts and photos—show her transformation from ordinary to extraordinary, and convey her personal rules for living well in the worst of times.

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  • Reviews

    • Kirkus

      March 1, 2019
      When the late Canadian figure skater and singer/songwriter Carley Allison, was diagnosed with a rare and deadly cancer at 17, she shared her difficult journey through treatment.This authorized biography draws from Carley's blog, text messages, photos on social media, and interviews with family and friends. All testify to Carley's popularity, upbeat personality, athleticism, competitive drive, and generosity throughout her brief life. She set and met tough goals for herself through surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. Medical intervention exhausted, she tried residential treatment at an alternative Florida institute claiming cancer cures via a raw, vegan diet. Against her parents' wishes, doctors told then-19-year-old Carley that she was dying. The timing of events isn't always clear, and interviews are undated, but the clear intention is to inspire others to remain optimistic and positive: When an effort fails, there's always something else to try. Contradicting that message is the equally strong portrait of someone exceptional afflicted with an exceedingly rare cancer. Carley, who was of European and Iranian descent, was supported by a loving, financially comfortable family and a loyal network of friends. It's when the mask of cheery optimism falters that readers truly connect with Carley; then her journey becomes ours. Readers comfortable with social media will be drawn in by the large number of photographs, varied formats, and brief segments.A touching portrait of a remarkable celebrity influencer who used her exposure to inspire herself and others. (Biography. 12-16)

      COPYRIGHT(2019) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Formats

  • Kindle Book
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  • EPUB ebook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:900
  • Text Difficulty:4-5

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