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

Lurlene McDaniel (Author)

Book Description

Publication 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

• Reading level: Ages 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 0.8 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (262 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #348,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Diseases > Fiction

More About the Author

Lurlene McDaniel is known for her poignant inspirational novels. She lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 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

This review is from: Don't Die, My Love (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

This review is from: Don't Die, My Love (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 "Kirbee" (Camden, AR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Die, My Love (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.