Always and Forever: Two novels: Too Young to Die & Goodbye Doesn't Mean Forever [Mass Market Paperback]

Lurlene McDaniel (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 11, 2004

16-year-old Melissa Austin has always worked hard to get what she wants. As the school year begins, her work is paying off: Her grades are up and she’s landed a coveted spot on the Brain Bowl team. She and her best friend, Jory Delaney, are determined to have the best junior year ever.

Then Melissa receives devastating news about her health. At first she refuses to accept the doctor’s diagnosis, but as her illness gets worse, she cannot deny the truth. Only with the loving support of her family, and especially Jory, can Melissa come to terms with the mysteries of living . . . and dying.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“McDaniel deserves a special award for her inspirational and gripping book.”—Kliatt

From the Inside Flap

16-year-old Melissa Austin has always worked hard to get what she wants. As the school year begins, her work is paying off: Her grades are up and she?s landed a coveted spot on the Brain Bowl team. She and her best friend, Jory Delaney, are determined to have the best junior year ever.

Then Melissa receives devastating news about her health. At first she refuses to accept the doctor?s diagnosis, but as her illness gets worse, she cannot deny the truth. Only with the loving support of her family, and especially Jory, can Melissa come to terms with the mysteries of living . . . and dying.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf (May 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553494198
• ISBN-13: 978-0553494198
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,049,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow March 17, 2006

By Alicia Barket

Format:Mass Market Paperback

this book was amazing. I picked it up off the school library shelf because all of my friends had said it was an awesome book. they weren't exagerating.

This book tells about a young girl, in her junior year of high school, who is dignosed with lymphocytic leukemia. Melissa is very smart, she is working hard to get the merit scholorship for college. Her best friend Jory, it always there for her, and always working by her side. Jory isn't as "smart" as Melissa, and keeps telling her friend she should get a better social life. Melissa doesn't care about boys, or partying, she just wants to study.

About four months into her junior year Melissa is feeling sick, and gets these bruises on her legs. So the gym teacher reports them to the guidence cousular. She thinks Melissa is getting abused at home. Melissa freaks out, her mother and older brother Micheal have always been supportive...and loving to her. So her mother takes her to the doctor to get checked out. they take a few tests, draw a little blood...and boom. Melissa has lymphocytic leukimia.

This book really shows the hardships of cancer. The chemotherapy Melissa has to go through, makes her get sick almost every five minutes. She is always drowsy, and feels like crap. The way Lurlene McDaniel captures Jory's, and Micheal's and Melissa's feelings is amazing. I cried through half of the book. Its amazing...I recomend this book to anyone. Its more of a girly book, but hey...guys if you like this type of stuff...its an awesome book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wounderful novel January 15, 2005

A Kid's Review

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I thought that this book was a wounderful novel!! I loved it so much. It is such a touching story of a girl and how she gets cancer. Then there is another point of view, the view of the girl's best friend. It is touching how they all get through the cancer together. This is a very heavy and serious book that I really think you will enjoy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I cried! What a touching book! August 17, 2004

By Laura Gee

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Always and Forever tells the story of sixteen-year-old Melissa Austin, who fights a courageous battle against cancer.

Melissa Austin is a phenomal character, who almost any reader could love. She is determined and motivated in her schoolwork, incredibly smart, yet also fun, funny, and sociable. Her best friend Jory Delaney is also lovable, a great and loyal friend to Melissa all the way through, but sometimes a bit shallow. Michael (Melissa's brother) is caring and sweet beyond the expectations of 'older brother'. I find that these three characters brought the book to life, as well as Melissa and Jory's unbreakable bond of friendship.

This book gives perspective on cancer and other people's reactions to it. Melissa's almost boyfriend is insensitive to it and casts her off, and her academic team coaches almost throw her off the team for having an illness.

But Melissa, with Jory as a backup and Michael and her mother for support, never give up, which makes this book incredibly entertaining and moving. Do not read this book if you want to laugh and smile, but read it if you're up for some good literature - and expect to cry!