 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
I Want to Live
- By Lurlene McDaniel
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Forthright book focused on disease and death.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the book is focused on disease and death. You may want to read it together so that you can answer any questions as they arise.
What's the story?
Dawn Rochelle's cancer has been in remission for almost a year. Her hair has grown back and she's struggling to find normalcy as she approaches high school. Things seem positive, but when she returns from camp, she's feeling tired and listless, and wondering why she's not excited about her brother's upcoming wedding.
When the doctor informs her and her family that the cancer is no longer in remission, Dawn faces the biggest decision of her life. A bone marrow transplant is her only real chance at survival. Her brother Rob, the most likely donor, is getting married, and the timing will surely upset his wedding plans. Dawn fears she's not capable of making the right decision, but finally determines that she wants to live, whatever it takes. Though Dawn's hospital experiences are traumatic, she has courage, and finally reaches a place where the outcome is positive.
Is it any good?
In this tale of emotional upheaval, Dawn is swept into the complications cancer has wrought on her life and confronts issues of peer acceptance and the tendency of even her close family members to treat her differently because of the disease. Her interlude of rebellious acting-out is short-lived, and could have been more informative. Instead, it is shown as easily resolved and somewhat superficial. By the end of the book, readers should have a clear, if condensed, picture of what these victims face.
Some parents are concerned about the obsession with disease and death. But while the writing is undeniably pulpy, it attempts to transmit positive, life-affirming values. I WANT TO LIVE may be helpful to those with friends or family members battling a similar situation, but it also be of interest to teens and preteens who simply like a tearjerker. It is a forthright presentation which may inspire compassion and understanding.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Dawn's struggles, both physical and emotional. How would you support her, if you were her friend or sibling?
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AGE
An inspirational story highly recommended for tweener girls.
As a child I began reading this series and basically desired reading every book ever written by Lurlene McDaniel. Each of these stories are sad and center around a teen with a life threatening illness. BUT - each story, though sad, is highly focused on the inspiration to live, survive, and made the most out of every situation. McDaniel uses this book, as part of the Dawn Rochell series, to share educational, true-to-life experiences of a young girl with lukemia. An inspirational story highly recommended for tweener girls.
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Kid, 12 years old
February 24, 2011
AGE
Perfect for any age that have an understanding for cancer
This is a awesome book. I love it. READ IT NOW
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AGE
I fell in love with this book. Alot of people have to go through ordeals with sick children every day, take a drive to Vanderbilt Childrens's Hospital one day, and reality will most definatly hit you. There is so many good points in this book that I think all young readers should read. I believe it will help children, as well as adults, learn to deal with sickness. The characters were so well though out. Rob, (Dawns brother) was such a sweetheart from the start. He loved his sister so much he would do anything for her. They were a very close family. And Darcy, well, that kind of relationship happens alot when your family needs you most. If Darcy truly loved Rob, she would have been the first to say, "Lets Reschedule the wedding", Family comes first." But she was only thinking of herself. I would highly recommend this book for the more mature 12 year olds and starting age 13 for sure. This would also be a good mother-daughter reading book, and discuss the happenings.
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| Author: | Lurlene McDaniel |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Delacorte Press |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1987 |
| Number of pages: | 126 |
| Paperback price: | $4.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 14 |
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