First thank you to NetGalley and Animal Media Group for granting me the extreme honor of a free e-book in exchange for an honest opinion.

What a story, what an inspiration, what a family and what a truly remarkable young man John Challis was. To face a disease that 1 child in 2 million will have and face with such courage, strength, faith and humor is remarkable. John Challis had the wisdom that people my age (60) still don't have.

This book is very well written and gives insight by not just his family but all those who truly meant something to John. He was a true inspiration to everyone not only to those he met but to those who just heard his story.

Although this has a tragic and sad ending, it is uplifting and John's message is clear - it's not the number of breaths you take but what you do with the breaths you take.

Thank you again, especially to John's family for sharing his story with the world. ( )

I Was Picked: The John Challis Story by Howard Shapiro is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary. This is a touching and remarkable story of a boy that is given months to love at the age of 16. He has a strong desire to achieve a diploma from high school with his friends with is two years away. Through lots of treatments, love, endorsement, and friendship this 18 year old made it to get his diploma! Very touching story with pictures, letters from friends, family, and himself at the end of the book. This really gets personal about what it was like for him and the family. ( )