“This honest and compassionate resource will help teens cope with the emotional, physical, financial, and planning aspects of the transplant process if it happens to them or to someone in their family. The 13 chapters, written in a question-and-answer format, detail the steps involved from diagnosis and being placed on a waiting list to pre- and post-surgery. Schwartz acknowledges the feelings and emotions that adolescents might be experiencing throughout this process. The author does not sugarcoat the problems of qualifying for trans-plantations, the seriousness of these surgeries, or possible aftermaths. She weaves the harsh realities with a multitude of heartwarming survivors’ stories, including an account of her father’s transplant. The well-written text is complemented by a comprehensive section of suggestions for additional information. Average-quality, black-and-white drawings and photos of smiling recipients and donors are scattered throughout.Texts with this breadth of coverage are rare; this book will give young adults hope and courage and let them know that they are not alone.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

“The resources in the book are a treasure. I think it is an extremely difficult and challenging job to put together a piece of work that so eloquently ties in the scientific/physical, emotional, and personal aspects (essentially everything)—but this author has done it—and she has done it beautifully….For anyone even remotely interested in organ transplants and especially to everyone involved in the organ transplant area (family member, friend, recipient, patient, doctor, nurse, and the list goes on…), this book is a cushion to support you and a shoulder for you to lean on during any and all stages of organ transplantation.”
-Mary H. Wu,
NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION, The transAction Council

“Her [Schwartz's] approach is straightforward and sincere, speaking understandably about the often-unspoken fears and realities of organ transplantation… A comprehensive list of topics that families face are included in an engaging and readable fashion…

Anyone searching for information regarding organ and tissue transplantation myths, media coverage, and controversies would find Schwartz’s book valuable and informative.She also inspires and challenges the reader to make a difference, whether it is signing a donor card, or starting a local donor awareness campaign.As she says, “Anything is possible. But nothing will change if you don’t try.”

Diana King Dreman*, UPDATE — A News Magazine for the Transplant Community (Miss Dreman is a senior at Littleton High School, Littleton, CO and a volunteer with the Donor Awareness Council in Denver. You can see the full-page review on p. 33 of the Jan-Feb 2006 issue of UPDATE — A News Magazine for the Transplant Community)

“This book is a one-of-a-kind book that addresses the issue of what it is like to be an organ transplant recipient or to be close to someone who is…. Highly Recommended!”
Marilyn Sprague,
Flower Mound HS (2006)

“The books strike a balance between breezy presentation and hard information, including references to popular movies and television shows as well as lists of Internet sites for further research.”

“Personal stories illustrate what it feels like to be put on the transplant list, the waiting in fear that a match will not be available until too late, the frustration of false alarms, the concern about the actual surgery, and the support needed after the transplant. General information on transplants, the waiting list, and how organs are assigned to patients are explained and then individual chapters detail the process for different types of transplants-heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, and lung. Sidebars, quotes from patients and family members, and a questions-and-answer format, supported by the personal stories give a clear picture on what to expect. Web sites, organizations, and a suggested reading list offer the reader places to go for further information. This book in the It Happened to Me series would be valuable for reports as well as for family members of organ transplant patients.”

“Intended for the children of patients,this resource answers questions about the organ transplant process and the emotions family members may experience. The author, whose father received a liver transplant, overviews the challenges of waiting for a donor organ, some of the related controversies created by low supply and high demand, and how to become a future donor.”
-SCITECH BOOK NEWS

“The book addresses the issue of what it’s like to be an organ transplant recipient or to be close to someone who is. It is filled with real-life stories of teens whose parents, siblings or other family members have been transplant recipients and of teens who have had heart, liver, kidney, pancreas and lung transplants themselves….The book is the ideal resource for those who are interested in organ donation and transplant, those who are facing a transplant and their family members, and medical professionals who work with transplant recipients, donors and their families…”
GRAYSLAKE TIMES