Point of View

The novel is narrated from the first person-point-of-view from the perspectives of two narrators—Stella Grant and Will Newman, two teenagers suffering from cystic fibrosis. The chapters alternate back and forth between these two characters, with the novel beginning and ending with Stella's perspective. The entire plot takes place over the span of about two weeks while Will and Stella are both staying in Saint Grace's Hospital receiving medical care for their illnesses.

The alternating perspectives allow the reader to compare and contrast Will and Stella—to see how they are different and how they are the same—particularly in relation to their shared medical condition. Will is annoyed by his mother constantly placing him in one new treatment program after another, and acts out by refusing to do his breathing treatments or taking risks with his health. Stella, on the other hand, has a...