TO BE OR NOT TO BE LANEY WILLOW

As Beth Pears began to write this book in 2010, she had no idea that two years later she would be living her own story. In this semi-autobiographical novel that mirrors the life of literature teacher Beth Pears, Laney Willow is a well-loved, much-admired high school English teacher in rural Pennsylvania. In spite of personal setbacks, Laney remains steadfast, drawing from classic literature and her own trials to teach her students important life lessons. But when the worst setback of all-cancer-invades Laney's life, she will be forced to choose: continue to inspire others or give in to the horrible disease?

As her students, co-workers, and family look on, Laney uses one of her favorite pieces of literature, Shakespeare's Hamlet, to come to her own decision of whether "to be or not to be." This book is Beth Pears' final thesis. She worked tirelessly until the end while undergoing treatment for a rare, aggressive cancer. Her final draft of this book was completed just a few short weeks before she succumbed to the disease. While this book represents her life's work and parting thoughts to the world, the anecdotes and lessons contained in To Be or Not to Be Laney Willow convey her contagious passion for life. Beth Pears will continue to inspire others facing life's obstacles to choose "to be," even when the going gets rough.