Children's hospital.

• Author: Peters, Charles

This is an immensely moving true account of two months in the lives of six children in a hospital in Philadelphia. The story of one, Mark Price, a 15-year-old who died of cystic fibrosis toward the end of the second month, I found especially gripping from its tautly told beginning when he survives a dangerous emergency to his shattering death six weeks later.

Peggy Anderson has been my friend for 20 years. We worked together, first at the Peace Corps, then at The Washington Monthly, so I know some will think I'm prejudiced in her favor, which I am. But I can also assure you that aside from occasional flashes...