Don't Die, My Love [Mass Market Paperback]

Lurlene McDaniel (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 1, 1995

Julie Ellis and Luke Muldenhower have always been school sweethearts. Now both are in high school and deeply in love. Luke, a talented football player, is almost certain to receive an athletic scholarship to a top college. And no matter what her parents say, wherever Luke goes, Julie intends to follow. When Luke can't shake what he thinks is a virus, Julie persuades him to see a doctor. Luke's test results are alarming, but Julie believes their love is stronger than anything. Can love survive, now and forever?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9?Julie Ellis and football star Luke Muldenhower had everything going for them?popularity, good grades, and love. Then Luke develops Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Shaken to the core, Julie is determined to help him through his chemotherapy and get through this ordeal so their lives can return to normal. Then masses are discovered in his chest and groin area. Soon after he begins radiation therapy, their close relationship begins to deteriorate as Luke pushes Julie away. This novel contains excellent information on cancer treatments and the emotional world of cancer victims and those who love them. The characters are convincing enough to draw readers into the drama and the inevitable conclusions that occur when one is faced with a life-threatening illness. McDaniel shows her literary expertise by humanizing a terrible disease and guiding readers through the whole process of illness. This is a good choice for either bibliotherapy or recreational reading. Just make sure there are tissues nearby.?Jana R. Fine, Clearwater Public Library System, FL
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 7^-12. Pretty Julie and handsome football star Luke have been "engaged" since sixth grade. The attractive high-school couple's fairy tale world of dances, football games, and bright futures envelopes them like a glittery veil. Then Luke becomes ill, and tests confirm the worst medical suspicions--Hodgkin's lymphoma. The better part of the book is consumed with how the two, their parents, and the school community deal with Luke's critical illness and eventual death. Touching scenes abound in this crisis novel, particularly those of the football team's camaraderie and support. The writing is pure romance style, and the characters, especially Julie, tend to talk and think in simplistic terms. "Right now, there was only Luke," she muses typically early on, vaguely wishing she had something as intense to focus on as he had with football and ignoring her mother's prompting to start thinking about college applications. Fans of tear-jerker teen romances will enjoy this offering. Anne O'Malley

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf (July 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553567152
• ISBN-13: 978-0553567151
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.7 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (267 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #641,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in Philadelphia PA, grew up (mostly) in Hialeah FL, graduated from the University of South Florida, Tampa FL (go Bulls!) and currently live in Chattanooga TN---I'm an American citizen by birth, and Southern by the grace of God.

I have a brother, three years younger, married, and mathematically gifted. I am totally without math skills.

The books I write, the topics and subject matter, grew out of my firstborn son's diagnosis of diabetes at age 3.
Infinite reward that comes to me from my work.... when a grown reader lets me know that reading my books inspired her to seek a profession that helps others. I have wonderful letters saying, "Today I graduated from nursing/medical school."

Now that's a gift of joy!

Official Lurlene McDaniel Website
http://www.lurlenemcdaniel.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST BOOK EVER PUBLISHED ON THIS EARTH! August 7, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I must confess I have read this book 15 times (I'm not exaggerating!) in the past two years! It is extremely sad and even if you have read it so many times that you can quote it, as I can, you will still cry your eyes out whenever you read or reread it!

Luke Muldenhower, a handsome, talented football player, and beautiful Julie Ellis are deeply in love and have been ever since middle school. Now, in high school the whole school knows they are a couple. Luke is sure to get an athletic scholorship to a top college and despite what her parents think, Julie is determined to go wherever Luke goes. But, when Luke can't ditch what he suspects is a cold, Julie convinces him to go to the doctor. Nothing prepared her for the news that Luke had Hodgkin's Lymphoma (a rare type of cancer). Julie is determined that Luke will get well, especially now when they have so much going for them...they are going to get married, go to college, and prepare to spend the rest of their lives together! Can their amazing love for each other hold tight through whatever life hands them?

If you like romantic, tear-jerking teen novels, you will love this book as I did!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book Of All Time! November 14, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Oh my God! My cousin told me to read this book, and I was like, what? I looked at the title, and thought it would be a waste of my time. It looked kinda corny. So not true. Once I started reading it, I fell in love. The book is so touching, you just want to read more and more of it. When I finished it, I went into my bathroom and sobbed for about a half hour. I recomend this book for any one, romantic or not. Read it, you'll love it!

Also read- By Lurlene McDaniel: Til Death Do Us Part, Saving Jessica, and Please Don't Die

For die hard romantics- Anything by Julie Garwood or Judith McNaught (also known as Amanda Quick) Read these if you're a teenager, they're adult fiction.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring The Kleenex!!! May 23, 2006

By gymnast_2011

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This book is about 2 people who are very happy with their lives, but when Luke seems to get the "flu" that he cannot shake, Julie makes him go to the Doctor. Julie and Luke are very much in love and are devastated when the doctors tell Luke that he has developed Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Julie believes even though Luke's doctors have told him he doesn't have much hope, Julie believes that their love can outlast anything. This is the story of how 2 people in love cope with this life-changing event. You should definately read this book! It is really good, one of my favorites! Don't forget to buy the Kleenex though, this one is really really sad. It isn't like most drama mama books though, this one has a sweet ending. You should definately read this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes Love Isn't Enough... May 21, 2006

By S. Hasegawa

Format:Mass Market Paperback

The book Don't Die, My Love by Lurlene McDaniel gives us all hope to believe there is such thing as true love. Julie Ellis and Luke Muldenhower have always had feelings for each other. They began dating in 8th grade and now as they are juniors in High School, they are madly in love.

What starts out as, what Luke thinks is a little virus turns out to be something a lot more serious. Luke's test results show that he has Hodgkin's Lymphoma. A junior in high school and a talented football player now has to deal with the constant fight against cancer. All he has is Julie and his mother and he needs them more than anything right now. Over time he starts to push Julie away and she doesn't understand why. The chemotherapy makes Luke feel constantly weak and sick. Julie knows that he will make it through all of this and get his life back. Will he be able to push through the battle of cancer or will he lose faith and give up? Julie believes there love is stronger than anything. Can that help keep Luke alive?

Don't Die, My Love is one of my favorite books that Lurlene McDaniel has written and like many of her other book its heart touching and a real tear jerker. When I read this book my emotions were everywhere. At one moment I was excited and the next I was reaching for Kleenex. Reading this book makes you think about life and how lucky you are to be alive and that you never know when something bad might happen. So, don't take it for granted there will always be a tomorrow. This book relates too many of Lurlene McDaniel's other books that she's written. A story about a teenager who's life gets distorted by the troubles of cancer. Everyone has a different reason to fight it and a different story to tell.... What happens when two people who are meant for each other have to face a problem which will change their lives forever? Read Don't Die, My Love by Lurlene McDaniel to find out. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars awsomely cool book!!! May 9, 2005

A Kid's Review

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Everyone said they were meant for each other. Julie Ellis and Luke Muldenhour are both popular and in love. Luke is the star quarterback for the school football team.He gets the "common flu" but it just dosent "go away" like its supposed to. Julie finally talks him into going to see his doctor. Instead of having the common flu he has Hodgins luekimia, a very rare type of cancer. During chemo therapy he pushes Julie away.When he back in the hospital, will their love survive and will she understand? if you like dramatic books this is the book for you. If you love this book Ms.Mcdaniel has a whole series. I'd give all her books including this onetywo thumbs up and, five stars!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Die, My Love December 29, 2003

By Tania

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Don't Die, My Love is probably my favorite book ever. (And I've read an awful lot of books in my 10 years.) Anyway, Luke and Julie have been dating since eighth grade. He asked Julie to marry him in sixth and she said "get lost bozo." Now they are in their junior year of high school. Luke has been sick for a while but refuses to get checked out because of money problems. He and Julie fight a little bit about it. She finally convinces him to go to the doctor and they find out that he has Hodgkin's Disease which is a type of cancer. Note: The beginning of the book is a bit boring. But if you get past that it will be worth it because the parts after that are so moving. Julie sticks by him the entire time. A lot more happenes in between all of that but I am not going to say what it is. Here is a description of Julie and Luke: Julie is a high school student who has the guy everyone at school wants. She is a straight A student whose mother is constantly trying to get her focused on applying to colleges. She feels that Julie focuses to much on Luke. Julie is a wonderful character who like any other student is constantly worrying about what to wear and making plans for Friday night. Once Luke is diagnosed with cancer she realizes how much more there is to life than parties. Luke is a football star who in his junior year already has college coaches offering scholarships. His mother works in the steel mills of their town. His father died in a steel mill fall when he was seven. He and Julie plan to get married after they graduate college.

I thought this book was absolutely amazing. I feel so close to the characters and the dialogue is incredible. Don't heisitate about buying this book. You will love it! Great job Lurlene!...

Other books to check out by Lurlene McDaniel are Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, Telling Christina Goodbye, Let Him Live and many others. Read more ›