Clouds

A Memoir

By: Laura Sobiech

Narrated by: Amber Quick

Originally published as Fly a Little Higher and now updated and revised to coincide with the film release of Clouds, Laura Sobiech tells the amazing, true story behind the song and the movie.

“Okay, Lord, you can have him. But if he must die, I want it to be for something big. I want someone’s life to be changed forever.” This is what Laura Sobiech prayed when she found out her seventeen-year-old son had only one year to live. With this desperate prayer, she released her son to God’s will.

At that point, Zach Sobiech was just another teenager battling cancer. When his mother told him to think about writing goodbye letters to family and friends, he decided instead to write songs. One of them, “Clouds,” captured hearts and changed lives, making him an international sensation.

This story is a testament to what can happen when you live as if each day might be your last. It’s a story about the human spirit. It shows how God used a dying boy from a small town in Minnesota to touch the hearts of millions—including top executives in the entertainment industry, major music artists, news anchors, talk show hosts, actors, priests and pastors, and schoolchildren across the globe. And above all, it’s an example of the amazing things that happen when someone shares the most precious thing he has—himself.

“I’m not a musician; I’m just a filmmaker, and my prayer is that you get an opportunity—both through the reading of this beautiful book and the watching of our film based on it—to experience what I will fail to put into words: the magic and inspiration of Zachary David Sobiech.”

—Justin Baldoni, filmmaker and director of Clouds

Real life, true love, perfectly written.

If I don’t connect with a story, or better yet— If a story doesn’t connect to me, I quickly move on. There was no moving on from this book because Laura quickly makes you feel like part of the Sobiech family as she lovingly shares this painful but inspiring story of hope with a world that really needs it right now. Laura, thank you for sharing Zach with our family.

Heartfelt and inspiring story

I heard Laura speak at an event our company sponsored and was in awe of a woman who could speak so candidly about something no parent wants to endure. There wasn't a dry eye in the room and at the end of the hour I wanted to learn more about Zach and his story. I instantly downloaded the book and I am so glad I did! Thank you Sobiechs for sharing this story!