The Disability Book Archive

[ID: A book cover. The tag line “They don’t die in this one” is written in small, yellow, blended cursive print script. The title “Sick Kids in Love” is written down the length of the centre of the cover in large white capitals. The “I” in kids is replaced with two people standing together in an embrace. The hole in the middle of the “O” in “love” is a medical cross symbol. The author’s name “Hannah Moskowitz” is written at the bottom of the cover in small yellow capitals. The background is blue with faint clouds dotted around. The two embracing couple in the title are standing on the “O” in “love”. The person on the left has blonde hair tied into a bun, a short pink, long-sleeved dress, black stockings and black ankle boots. They are being embraced by the person on the right. The person on the right has short black hair, a long black coat, black pants and black shoes. Both people are faceless. /end]

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Content Warning:

• Ableism
• Internalised Ableism
• Medical Content and Trauma
• Toxic Friendship
• Cursing
• Antisemitism
• Mild Sexual Content
• Parental Abandonement
• References to Infidelity
• References to Panic Attacks
• Alcohol

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Summary:

Isabel has one rule: no dating.
It’s easier–
It’s safer–
It’s better–
–for the other person.
She’s got issues. She’s got secrets. She’s got rheumatoid arthritis.
But then she meets another sick kid.
He’s got a chronic illness Isabel’s never heard of, something she can’t even pronounce. He understands what it means to be sick. He understands her more than her healthy friends. He understands her more than her own father who’s a doctor.
He’s gorgeous, fun, and foul-mouthed. And totally into her.
Isabel has one rule: no dating.
It’s complicated–
It’s dangerous–
It’s never felt better–
–to consider breaking that rule for him.

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Notes:

This book was nominated for the 2020 Sydney Taylor Book Award and the 2022 Rhode Island Teen Book Award.

There is an audiobook.

There is an ebook. There is a kindle edition.

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Archivist Comments:

This one was suggested by quite a few people, and I think I’m beginning to understand why. A lot of reviews are praising the portrayal of disabled young people and the emphasis on how chronic illness can affect their lives. There are some criticisms regarding aspects of characterisation, though.

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