The story alternates between chapters that take place "Now" and chapters that take place "Then."  "Then" refers to the weeks immediately following Alice's diagnosis, recording the shock waves that resonate in Alice's own life and those of her parents, friends, and even enemies at school.  "Now" refers to the period of remission when she is forced to reassess, resume her life (including a tentative return to her years-long commitment to ballet), and make amends and new decisions.  The writing is well-paced for a young adult novel.  The switching of time frames doesn't always work to the purpose, sometimes seeming abrupt and interruptive, but the momentum is never quite lost.  The novel offers a valuable look at some of the ambiguities of long-term illness and of cancer in particular, including the uncertainties of prognosis and how they challenge a person's most basic sense of how to live out what matters most.  Another strength is its focus on how illness affects family relationships and friendships.  Ultimately, this is a hopeful book—unsentimental, edgy, and often surprising.