Crutcher, Chris. Deadline.CRUTCHER, Chris. Deadline. HarperCollins, Greenwillow. 320p. c2007 978-0-06-085089-0. $16.99. (Lib. bdg: 978-0-06-085090-6. $1789.) S * Ben finds out he has an aggressive and probably lethal form of leukemia leukemia (l  kē`mēə), cancerous disorder of the blood-forming tissues (bone marrow, lymphatics, liver, spleen) characterized by excessive production of immature or mature at the beginning of his senior year of high school in tiny
Trout, Idaho, but as an 18-year-old he invokes doctor-patient
confidentiality, insists that no one should be told, and declines
treatment: he's determined to have as normal a year as possible. He
worries that the news will completely derail de·rail intr. & tr.v. de·railed, de·rail·ing, de·rails 1. To run or cause to run off the rails. 2. his bipolar mother and stressed-out father, and he doesn't want to deal with pity from others. Ben's "deadline" does encourage him to take some risks, though--to go out for football despite his small size, to challenge a right-wing teacher by insisting on doing a project on Malcolm X Malcolm X, 1925–65, militant black leader in the United States, also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, b. Malcolm Little in Omaha, Neb. He was introduced to the Black Muslims while serving a prison term and became a Muslim minister upon his release in 1952. , and to finally get up the nerve to approach the girl on whom he's always had a crush, tall, tough Dallas Suzuki. Learning secrets about others in the town (including sexual abuse) and having dreams in which he talks to a mysterious figure named "Hey-Soos" finally convinces him that telling the truth is essential. Ben's droll droll adj. droll·er, droll·est Amusingly odd or whimsically comical. n. Archaic A buffoon. [French drôle, buffoon, droll, from Old French drolle but determined voice, along with lots of exciting football action, make this potential downer down·er n. A depressant or sedative drug, such as a barbiturate or tranquilizer. of a book a thoroughly enjoyable read. Along the way, acclaimed YA author Crutcher takes aim at bigotry of various kinds, building to a most satisfying ending. Some profanity Irreverence towards sacred things; particularly, an irreverent or blasphemous use of the name of God. Vulgar, irreverent, or coarse language. The use of certain profane or obscene language on the radio or television is a federal offense, but in other situations, profanity . Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT S--Recommended for senior high school students. *--The asterisk highlights exceptional books. |
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