On the Shores of Darkness there is Light by Cordelia Strube

Harriet is a creative, snarky, smart 11 year old whose younger brother, Irwin, has hydroencephalitis (sp?). He adores her – she’s trying to devise ways to kill him. She hates her stepdad – and her birth dad is not much better. She makes some heartbreaking decisions and Irwin is left figuring it all out as he grows up. The book is beautifully written, funny, ever-so-sad with terrific characters. A definate bookclub pick!