Grace : A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Melinda Marchiano first felt an eerie weakness on a family trip to Yosemite State Park and, after doctors found a rock-hard lump in her chest, received the devastating diagnosis of Hodgkin¿s lymphoma. Melinda shares the ensuing battle of her young life with eloquence, humor, and wisdom beyond her years. As she struggles through treatment and fights to continue ballet dancing¿her greatest passion¿Melinda recounts the events of her illness and her turbulent emotions: the elaborate pill schedules, the wretched nausea of chemotherapy, the never-ending support of her family, and the smiles and determination of the doctors and nurses who put her on the road to recovery. Whether cancer has touched their lives or not, readers will be inspired by Melinda¿s growing spirituality and complete reliance on God to get her through a terrifying ordeal. The abandonment of self-pity and remarkable tenacity displayed by the spirited young Melinda make this survivor¿s tale a truly unforgettable experience.

Melinda Marchiano lives in the rolling, oak-studded hills of the Central Coast of California. Homeschooled up until high school, Melinda had the freedom to write and to create from a young age. Melinda dances six days a week and performs with the Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo and San Luis Jazz. As a childhood cancer survivor, Melinda gives thanks for her life by speaking and fundraising for organizations such as the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, the Children's Miracle Network, and American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.