Deadline

Reviewed by coollibrarianchick for TeensReadToo.com Let's say you find out in a routine physical exam that you have a rare disease and will only have approximately one year left to live. What would you do? Would you get treatment to prolong your life even if it's just for a little while, or would you refuse treatment and just live out the rest of your days as a normal person? Tough...more

Reviewed by coollibrarianchick for TeensReadToo.com Let's say you find out in a routine physical exam that you have a rare disease and will only have approximately one year left to live. What would you do? Would you get treatment to prolong your life even if it's just for a little while, or would you refuse treatment and just live out the rest of your days as a normal person? Tough choice; I am not sure what I would do. Ben Wolf is faced with this dilemma in Chris Crutcher's newest book, DEADLINE. He finds out in the beginning of his senior year that he has leukemia. Not only does he refuse treatment but he also decides not to tell anyone about his condition, either, which means that his family and friends are all in the dark until almost the very end of the story. Why did he decide to do things that way, you might wonder? I get why he decided not to tell anyone at school. They would treat him as if he was fragile, like glass, or like the town leper. Normalcy is something you strive for when things in your world are turned upside down. I would've told my family, though, because they are my family through better or worse. I hate lying to them. Ben didn't see it as lying at first. He just saw it as hiding the truth, which in reality is the same thing. Being sick made Ben do and see things that he never would have done before. Instead of coasting through his senior year, he used the year to find information, read everything he could and speak up and push his teachers so he could get the most from his education. He also decided to switch sports and play football instead of running cross country. And, finally, he got the girl, too. Courageous or foolish? You decide. Eventually, though, reality does set in.....   hide

I cried like a friggin baby at the end! :'(

Amazing...You NEED to read this!!!

Chris Crutcher is one of the most engaging YA writers that I know of. This is a great story about what really matters most.

I wish I spoke and thought like this kid when I was in high school. Crutcher has a way with words and a soft spot for the underdog that makes me want to stand up and cheer.

I always love Chris's characters. However, this one is his BEST! The young man keeps his head up while experiencing this last year. The ending is nothing like I expected, but still great. It doesn't follow the "normal" plot for a book. But hey, Chris knows how to WRITE. =) It is even for those who are not religious. Chris doesn't throw God and Christian stuff at you in...more

I always love Chris's characters. However, this one is his BEST! The young man keeps his head up while experiencing this last year. The ending is nothing like I expected, but still great. It doesn't follow the "normal" plot for a book. But hey, Chris knows how to WRITE. =) It is even for those who are not religious. Chris doesn't throw God and Christian stuff at you in this book. It is for the strong-hearted, though. Just beware. But please read!   hide

OMG! This book made me gasp and shout call the cops! Ben is so endearing that I not only care about him, but also everyone that he cares about. Freedom of Speech, Football, relationships, terminal illness, bipolar disorder...sounds really boring but Chris Crutcher seriously rocks the issues! Bravo!

Thought provoking tearjerker! Thumbs way up for Chris Crutcher!

I can't put this book down, it is SO good.