Clarity is a raw and heartfelt memoir chronicling the life-altering journey of Crystal Leonardi and her young son, Sebastian, after his shocking diagnosis of a brain tumor at just two years old. Told through diary entries, detailed recollections, and medical updates, this book spans the year following his diagnosis, weaving together the emotional and physical upheaval experienced by their family. At its core, Clarity is about love, resilience, and the terrifying yet beautiful process of navigating a life derailed by childhood cancer.

I was moved deeply and repeatedly. Crystal’s voice is unfiltered and sincere. She writes like a mother would speak to a close friend after a night of no sleep and endless worry. That intimacy made every moment hit harder. Her writing isn’t about fancy language or literary flair—it’s about honesty. And sometimes that honesty is gutting. One moment you’re reading about steroid side effects, and the next you’re feeling the cold floor of a hospital corridor as if you were there. She masterfully captures what it means to be completely out of control, to fight for your child with everything you’ve got, and still feel like it’s not enough.

What stood out most to me was the clarity with which she exposed both the triumphs and the emotional wreckage. I appreciated how she didn’t shy away from resentment, guilt, or even envy. She names the ugly emotions. She lets them breathe on the page. It was also clear how much she grew through the journey—how the chaos helped her find purpose and voice. While the medical details at times felt overwhelming, they reflected how consuming and disorienting the world of childhood cancer can be. Crystal wrote not just to remember, but to survive—and help others do the same.

This is a book for parents navigating illness, for caretakers seeking solidarity, and for anyone who’s ever been blindsided by life and had to find a new way forward. It’s not a comfortable read, but it’s an important one. I recommend Clarity to anyone who wants to feel less alone in their pain, to those who love a good cry, and to readers looking to understand the strength that can live alongside fear.

Pages: 338 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DZLGB1QN