THE LAST LEAVES FALLING by Sarah Benwell

Only seventeen years old, Abe Sora has been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Sora's gradual physical deterioration leaves him wheelchair bound and cared for by his doting mother. Used to being busy with school, sports, and friends, Sora is frustrated and lonely.

Sora turns to an internet chatroom in an effort to connect with people beyond his limited world. Anxious at first, he soon becomes comfortable with two teens he meets, Mia and Kaito. The three share their hopes and dreams, but Sora keeps his physical difficulties and declining health a secret. Eventually, he reveals the truth and is thrilled that his two friends remain true.

Sora wants nothing more than to control his life, and as his condition worsens, control his death. THE LAST LEAVES FALLING explores love of family and friends and the difficulty of end-of-life decisions. Readers who appreciated Mitch Albom's TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE will want to read this emotional tale of a much younger victim of ALS.