Two Weeks with the Queen

This deeply moving and surprisingly humorous novel follows 12-year-old Colin Mudford, who refuses to accept his younger brother Luke's terminal cancer diagnosis. Sent to stay with relatives in London, Colin embarks on a series of increasingly elaborate schemes, from attempting to break into Buckingham Palace to consulting a top cancer expert, all in a desperate bid to find a cure. Along his journey, he forms an unlikely friendship with Ted, a Welshman whose partner is also battling cancer, leading Colin to confront the realities of illness, grief, and prejudice. The book compassionately explores themes of denial, anger, love, and acceptance, offering a powerful narrative about a child's agency in the face of overwhelming circumstances. It's suitable for late elementary to middle school readers, providing a sensitive yet direct approach to difficult topics.

A humorous but deeply moving story about Colin who refuses to believe that his younger brother is dying of cancer and decides to take things into his own hands. Colin decides to go to the top for help, none other than the Queen. Colin's efforts to penetrate the British establishment are hilarious, surprising and doomed to failure, but although Colin can't find a cure for cancer, he does find a way to help some of the new friends he makes, as well as discovering the best thing he can do for Luke.