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Travis is determined that he and only he should decide the course of his life. He has a plan, but he can’t carry it out alone. Will he convince one of his friends to fulfill his most important request?
Lurlene McDaniel tackles a controversial subject, probing the issues of personal choice and quality of life.
From the Hardcover edition.
Gr 8 Up
Travis, a champion diver about to start his junior year of high school, is hanging out with his friends and sister on the first day of summer vacation. The cliffs over the lake call to him, and he climbs up to dive from them, only to hear his leg snap when he jumps. Still in the hospital days later, Travis finally hears the diagnosis: bone cancer. Facing amputation and chemotherapy, he knows he'll never get back to the life he had. As Travis gets sicker, his only comfort is his research into death-with-dignity and right-to-die groups, and his only hope is that his friends will help him once he can no longer help himself. The narrative rotates among four teens: Travis, his sister, his girlfriend, and his best friend. Each voice is distinct and shows a different perspective on Travis's life since his diagnosis. The ending is heavily telegraphed from the beginning (the book opens on an unnamed character who admits that "right and wrong dissolved into what I knew I had to do"), but this does not diminish the impact of the final chapters. This is a heartstrings-tugging read that retains the central character's dignity and peace in the face of insurmountable odds. A sensitive book on a delicate topic.-Brandy Danner, Wilmington Memorial Library, MA
Ariel_Sky
Posted March 21, 2010
This book is one of the best discussion books available on the highly controversial topic of euthanasia. This book tells the story about those who are in favor of it and those who are not and all those in between.
Just like this book portrayed, no one really does know what he or she will do in a particular situation unless one actually finds him or herself in that situation. People can say they will or will not do something in any time and place. These same people can also be quick to judge about the actions of others when the honestly have no such right to do so. But if a person really thinks about it, no one can be 100% truly sure.
After reading this book, I realized that all family members, who are old enough to understand, should have the "what-if" discussion. Such talks ahead of time, allows the opportunity for open discussions of a person's wishes and time to come to an informed conclusion. That way, should the time ever come the decision is, in essence, already made. Everyone should be able to choose their own path in life. Other people can only offer guidance. Ultimately, in the end, the path a person chooses is for him or her to decide.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 15, 2010
Best book I've read in awhile, the ending is amazing. I cried and cried. Wonderful.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KatieP521
Posted December 22, 2009
I thought this book was a very good story and made my heart wrench.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 24, 2009
I Also Recommend:
This was a great book. It was realistic and emotional. The suspense held you all the way through the story even in the end. She did a great job telling the story using point of view and really gets her readers to think.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.this book was soo emotional. there were soo many different emotions all put into this one little book.I Think Lurlene did an AMAZING job at making you think about life and situations such as these. It really makes you think about how life can completely change. And how quickly it can be over. This book had me laughing and crying...no more like balling my eyes out. i felt sad, happy, and angry within just a few pages. This book litteraly left me breathless.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 8, 2012
People eho dont likthis book are just a little wired!!!!!!I LLLLLLOOOOVVVVEEEEEDDDD this book.this was my first book tht got me started on her books.i have now been reading her books for a year now:) l love tham!!!!!:)
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 28, 2011
I could not put it down it made me sad but i did not care. Read and you will understand
Anonymous
Posted December 25, 2011
I thnk it impossible to say u dont love this, first time reading it is the best.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 7, 2011
I was sad burt i could not put it down no atter wht!!!!!!!! Pls read you will not be sorry.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 25, 2011
Who killed travis? I think its either cooper or travis's little sister. I am not sure. I know its not darlaaaaaa¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿. Travis's girlfriend who messed up her reputation.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ss360
Posted May 7, 2011
AAAAAAMMMMAAAAZZZZIIINNNGGG!!!!!
This book was definetley worth the read even though it was a bit short. It was full of emotion...i actually cried!!!I loved how it was written in each charecters different point of view!!!
But its a really great book and i loved it.
Anonymous
Posted February 22, 2011
This book was excelent! i loved every last word. i read it in 2 hours and i didnt put it down once. i highly recommend it.
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Posted January 9, 2011
i lovedd this book it was amazin. i really could not put this down. i reccommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading it fits any age group from 7th grade and up!!! read itt
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.-R-
Posted July 31, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Seriously, Lurlene McDaniel amazes me once more with her ability to write about such sensitive topics. Yet the stories she write are still very well written and by just reading them you would think they are true stories. This book gives a good insight on what it would be like to have your whole life ripped from right beneith you. This is a truly unforgetable story of love, loss, and living life tot he fullest extent. I definatley recomend reading this book, especialy if your looking for something short to read. I finished in about 3 hours.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.SilverReader
Posted June 26, 2009
This book really gets you thinking about what your point of view on things are until your put into a specific situation. You realise what is important to you and how you would like things to go in your life.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book was realy good. It kind of questions you of right and wrong things. And how sometimes people don't realize which is which or just are stuck between them. I cried.. i always cry in any books by lurlene mcdaniel.She's my favorite author and i didn't read a whole book through untill i read one of her books.Now i can't stop reading and my mom gets mad at me because i read way too much and gotta give my eyes a break.She did an awesome job on this one. Way to go!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.twilighter821
Posted May 28, 2009
I Also Recommend:
As a cancer survivor I know exactly what this charachter is thinking this book is thought provoking and fmay change your opinion on this controversial topic. It may be in the YA section but I would reccomend this book to anyone.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I picked this book up for several reasons. Mostly just because I've read other books by Lurlene McDaniel and they always make me think about what things really mean to me. I also picked it up because the topic of Euthanasia interested me. I didn't really understand it and was curious.
This book really made me put things in perspective and just helped me understand the point of view of a cancer patient and his family and friends. It made me realize that I can't judge people about how they live or end their life because I've never been in that situation.
I recommend this book if you are looking for a good cry, something that will bring you back down to earth, or simply just something to help you pass the time. Or all of the above. It was a very good novel.
xXmariicanflyyXx
Posted May 22, 2009
this book is a real page turner.
im a teen so to read a book that includes a teen with a health problem he never knew about,it opens my eyes a little bit.
reading this book,i found this idea come to my head : even if you seem to be the best person in the world,you're still not at risk of something devastating just because you see yourself prettier or more athletic than others.
i loved this very much.
Cancer is terrible, but when it strikes a young, active body, it seems especially horrific. That's the case with high school student Travis Morrison. One minute he's a vibrant, healthy teen, and the next he's struck down by the devastating disease.
One sunny afternoon at the lake, Travis, two friends, Cooper and Darla, and sister Emily are enjoying a picnic and a swim. Travis tears up a rocky path beside the lake, thinking he'll show off a bit by making a high dive from a nearby cliff. Since he's a champion platform diver, it should be a breeze.
Just short of the edge he is struck by a sharp pain in his upper thigh, but he's not about to let that stop him. His friends watch as he begins his dive. When he hits the water, he hears his leg crack, and the pain he feels is incredible. Cooper shouts for the girls to call the hospital and bring the car as he carries Travis from the lake.
How does a healthy, in-shape champion diver break his leg doing a simple dive in the local lake? Multiple examinations and medical tests later, doctors announce that Travis has bone cancer, and a tumor in his upper thigh weakened the bone, causing the break.
That announcement changes life for everyone.
Lurlene McDaniel tackles the subject of euthanasia in her latest novel BREATHLESS. Using Travis, his best friend Cooper, girlfriend Darla, and his sister Emily, McDaniel explores the emotional and ethical issues of this sensitive subject from a variety of view points.
To say this novel is a real page-turner is an understatement. I truly could not put it down, and it has been on my mind ever since I finished the final page.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
What is the toughest request anyone can be asked to fulfill?Travis Morrison is a champion diver and one of the most popular kids at school. On the first day of summer vacation, while boating on the lake with his friends, Travis attempts a silly stunt dive that goes wrong. He fears he has broken his leg. Instead, his trip to the hospital reveals he has a rare form of cancer, and to save him, the doctors tell his parents they must amputate. In an instant, Travis’s life and the lives of everyone around him are forever changed.
Travis is determined that he and only he should decide the course of his life. He has a plan, ...