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Cancer and Treatments > Childhood / Pediatric Cancers > Pediatric Cancer Resources
The purpose of this information guide is to help parents or children with cancer find information sources appropriate for their children. This list is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather to provide starting points for information seeking. The materials can be found at the Patient Education Resource Center of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center located on the B1 level.
updated 12/06
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American Cancer Society. "What Happened to You, Happened to Me."
For teenagers.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. "I'm Having a Bone Marrow Transplant".
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. "Sam Fights Back".
For all:
Klett, Amy. Amazing Hannah: Look at Everything I Can Do! Order free from
www.candlelighters.org.
For children ages 2-6.
Gordon, Apel Melanie. Let's Talk About: When Kids Have Cancer. New York: Power Kids Press, 1999.
A book for kids with cancer ages 4-8.
Homer, Melodie, and Andy Lendway. Chemo Crusader and the Cancer
Fighting Crew. Marlton, N.J: PEPCO, 1999.
Krisher, Trudy. Kathy's Hats. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman and Co., 1992.
Beautifully illustrated story of a girl with cancer focuses on hair loss.
For ages 4-10.
Cranston, Lynda. You and Your Cancer: A Child's Guide. Hamilton, Ontario: BC Decker Inc, 2001.
Text, illustrations and activity pages aimed at children with cancer.
Keene, Nancy & Romain, Trevor. Chemo, Craziness & Comfort: My Book About Childhood Cancer.
Candlelighters; 2002.
Romenesko, Ross. I Had a Tumor, It Wasn’t a Rumor
A seven year old boy wrote this book as a class assignment while he was
undergoing treatment for lymphoma. The text includes 30 tips for making "life
with cancer easier to swallow".
For children ages five to 12. A printer-friendly
version available at:
www.rossromenesko.orgTrillin, Alice. Dear Bruno. New York: The New Press, 1996.
A letter from an adult cancer survivor to a 12 year old boy with cancer.
Field, Molly. Through and Beyond: 13 Teenagers Share Their Battles with Cancer. Wicasset, ME: Molly Field, 1998.
Divided to chapters by topic 13 teenagers talk about their experiences with cancer such as:
dealing with the diagnosis, going back to school, peer relations, hair loss, choosing a port-a-cath vs. a
central line, support systems, self-esteem etc.
For ages 13-18.
Gill, Kathleen, A. Teenage Cancer Journey. Pittsburgh: Oncology Nursing Press, 1999.
Insight into the special issues facing young people who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Struggle with philosophical questions, peers, hair loss, looks, family and balancing school responsibilities while
undergoing treatment.
Bone marrow transplants:
Lilleby, Kathryn U. Stevie's New Blood. Pittsburgh: Oncology Nursing Press, 2000.
This book is intended for children who are undergoing a bone marrow transplant. It explains the
process with lovely illustrations and two text levels:
a large print version for kids ages 6-10, and a small print version for ages 10-17.
Younger children can follow the illustrations.
Crowe, Karen. Me and My Marrow: a Kid's Guide to Bone Marrow Transplants. Deerfield, IL: Fugisawa Healthcare, Inc., 1999.
Explanations and advice on coping with a Bone Marrow Transplant.
For ages 10-18.
A printable version is available at:
www.meandmymarrow.com.
Brain tumors
Rose, Ellen. Ellen Rose's Story. Boston: Brain Tumor Society.
Written by a five-year-old girl about her life with a brain tumor. It describes her surgery,
radiation and chemotherapy.
For ages 5-9.
Rosenberg, Doris. Talking Lady Presents: Having a Brain Tumor. Toronto, Canada: Talking Lady Press, 1996.
An illustrated book for kids diagnosed with a brain tumor. Explains brain tumors and brain
surgery. Emphasized the importance of expression, artistic and verbal.
For kids ages 5-10.
American Brain Tumor Association. Alex's Journey. Des Plains, IL: American Brain Tumor Association, 1994.
The story of an eleven year old by boy diagnosed with a brain tumor.
For ages 9-14.
Leukemia:
Wescott, Patsy. Living with Leukemia. Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers, 2000.
The story of three kids who have leukemia. Describes the disease and suggests ways of coping.
For children ages 4-12
Moehn, Heather. When Someone You Know Has Leukemia. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2000.
Overview of leukemia for kids ages 12-18. Intended for friends and relatives of patients.
Apel, Melanie Ann. Coping with Leukemia. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2001.
Includes medical explanations of leukemia and tips from teenage patients. Has a chapter for teenage siblings and
discussion of the emotional side of living with cancer.
For all:
My Hair's Falling Out...Am I Still Pretty? Necessary Pictures Film & Media, 1992 (22 minutes).
Live action, dance, animation, and music tell the story of two hospital roommates living with
childhood cancer. The story is told from the point of view of a physician who had cancer as a child, explaining
diagnostic tests, hospital procedures, and the effects of chemotherapy and hair loss.
Brain tumors:
American Brain Tumor Association. Alex's Journey. Des Plains, IL: American Brain Tumor Association, 2000
(30 minutes).
Based on the book mentioned above, the video focuses on the diagnosis and surgery.
For ages 9-14.
Leukemia:
American Cancer Society. Why Charlie Brown, Why? Atlanta, GA: ACS, 1990 (30 minutes).
For young children.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. A Little Help From My Friends: Living with Leukemia and Lymphoma.
New York: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1999 (20 minutes).
For children ages 6-12.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Making the Grade: Back to School After Cancer for Teens. New York:
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1999 (20 minutes).
KIDZ with Leukemia: a Space Adventure
An interactive CD-ROM for children with leukemia (ages 4-11), their families, friends
and classmates. Available in the pediatric infusion area.
Starbright
An interactive computer network where hospitalized kids from across the nation can interact with a community of their
peers, helping each other cope with day-to-day realities of living with an illness. Accessible in the pediatric
infusion area and 7west.
National Marrow Donor Program. Discovery to Recovery: A Child's Guide to
Bone Marrow Transplant
An educational, interactive DVD and booklet for children ages five to nine,
who will be undergoing a marrow or cord blood transplant. To order a free
copy access:
www.marrow.org.
The kids' section of the American Brain Tumor Association's
provides kids- friendly information about brain tumors. The site
has interactive features and enables children to share their
thoughts and engage in activities.
Blood Count Information for Kids with Cancer
Characters, illustrations and explanations for kids ages 5-9.
Cancer Characters
Developed by a pediatric-oncology nurse, these characters help children ages 3-6 understand cancer and it's
treatment.
Teens Living with Cancer
4YOUTH is an email discussion group for children/teens who
are cancer survivors. Hosted by the
Association of Cancer Online Resources ACOR.
You may also subscribe to the listserv from OncoLink's automated listserv
subscriber:
- Go to www.oncolink.com
- Click on "Coping with Cancer"
- Click on "Support"
- Click on "ListServ"
- Click on " OncoLink Automated E-mail Discussion Group Subscriber"
- Select 4YOUTH from the list
This list does not constitute an endorsement of the information contained in the resources. It is provided for educational purposes only and are not intended for nor engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through this list and its links should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care.
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