Don't Die, My Love (Molly O'Connell)

Title: Don't Die, My love
Author: Lurlene McDaniel
Publisher: Dell Laurel-Leaf
Pages: 250
2. One of my friends suggested reading this book over the summer. I never got around to it, so when it came down to choosing a new outside reading book I decided to read this one.
3. This book is about a girl named Julie Ellis and her boyfriend, Luke Mulden. Julie and Luke have always felt meant for one another, ever since the sixth grade. They are deeply in love and Luke even proposes to Julie. Luke is a talented football player and is determined to receive an athletic scholarship to a top college. Wherever Luke goes, Julie intends to follow. All of Luke and Julie's future plans change when Luke develops an unshakable virus. Julie persuades Luke to see a doctor, only to discover that his 'virus' is cancer. Julie believes that Luke's condition will just make their relationship stronger than ever before. All Julie hopes for is that her love will keep him alive. This book tells about the troubles that cancer causes Luke, and how they handle it.
4. The book is intended for a young adult/teenage audience. The content in this book is not recommended for a younger audience, it would be difficult for them to understand.
5. The author uses an informative writing style. Lurlene McDaniel always makes the reader aware of where the current setting is, and what's going on at that point in time. "The biopsy procedure was indeed simple. Luke went down to the surgical floor at seven the next morning and was back in his room by nine. Both Julie's parents drove to Chicago to wait with Julie and Nancy, and afterward they all trooped in to see Luke as soon as he was brought up from recovery." (McDaniel, 49)
6. Passage 1: "Julie struggled to keep from losing her temper. She knew her mother was trying to be helpful, but all Julie felt was unnecessary pressure." (McDaniel, 14) This passage struck me because it leads up to the climax in the book. Julie begins to break with the pressure put on her from her mother, Luke's condition, and school.
Passage 2: "She wanted to spend as much time as possible with him. The need to do so felt compelling and urgent. She couldn't be separated from him, not even for a month." (McDaniel, 137) I chose this passage because it shows how much Julie truly loves Luke. She does not want to be separated from him, and is always there with him when he is relocated to numerous medical centers.
Passage 3: "And sure enough, by the next day Luke was breathing easier and had been taken off the respirator. He looked very pale, but he gave Julie a smile and a thumbs-up when she came into his room." (McDaniel, 218) I chose this passage because it isn't as depressing as the rest of the book. It keeps the reader guessing about Luke's condition. His condition could either take a turn for the worse, or he could get better.
7. I think that the theme of this book is hope, and never losing faith.
Example 1: "You'll be well by then. And remember, my father's on your side. He won't allow anybody to reject you because of possible health problems." (McDaniel, 132) This passage supports the theme because it shows how Julie reminds positive and hopeful about Luke's condition, no matter how bad it gets.
Example 2: "Don't give up on him yet. He's still got plenty of fight left in him." (McDaniel, 218) This passage supports the theme because it shows how Julie has not lost her faith and refuses to give up on Luke.
8. I would give this book a B+. This was a very good book, but it was also a very sad one. If the book were more cheerful I'd recommend it to anybody, you do not want to read this book if you get emotional easily. Other than that, it was very enjoyable to read.