THE YEAR RUBY TURNED FIFTEEN is a gentle, thoughtful resource designed to help families, educators, and healthcare teams talk with young children about a cancer diagnosis in a young person.
Written by young people with lived experience through the Queensland Youth Cancer Service (QYCS) Youth Advisory Group (YAG), the book follows Eloise, a young sibling watching her big sister Ruby navigate a cancer diagnosis. When Ruby must leave home and travel to the big city for treatment, Eloise faces confusion, worry, and the many changes that come when someone you love is unwell and away from home. The story uses simple language and age-appropriate explanations to help children understand what is happening, why it is happening, and how they might feel along the way.
By revisiting Eloise’s perspective throughout, young readers can safely explore big emotions, build empathy, and feel reassured that worry, sadness, and confusion are normal. THE YEAR RUBY TURNED FIFTEEN is more than a story, it is a practical tool for connection. It invites open conversations and nurtures understanding with clarity and care.
