Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata

This book...was absolutely heart-breaking. I cried for thirty minutes straight! I swear! "Kira-Kira" means glittering in Japanese, and that's how Lynn, the sister of the main protagonist, Katie, describes everything. These girls have dreams for the future, buying new houses, living in California...That all seemed shattered when Lynn fell ill. Katie's parents continued to struggle with money, and life was so...hard for them. When Lynn died, I sobbed like heck. Katie and her family didn't deserve that. They were so poor, and everything seemed so dreary for them...This book was inspirational. It said to never give up, despite the obstacles thrown at you. I loved, loved, loved Kira-Kira.