Eighteen, No Time to Waste [Paperback]

Margaret Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1987

18, No Time to Waste is the true story of Kathi, a vivacious teen-ager. The fall after her high school graduation, Kathi was returning home from a church youth camp with 3 other teenagers when they were involved in an auto accident killing 3 of the teenagers, of them, including Kathi. Kathi's story tells of mother-daughter conflicts and how they were resolved before she died. As a committed Christian, Kathi influenced many lives through her life and death. "18, No Time To Waste" first published by Zondervan Publishing House sold 400,000 copies and was translated into many foreign languages.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This mother writes of the tragic death of her teenage daughter and how their often turbulent relationship was resolved. -- Book News Publisher, 1987

About the Author

Margaret Johnson lives with her husband in Kentwood, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids. They have three adult sons living in Southern California, a daughter in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and four grandchildren. Margaret began her writing career with the publication of 18, No Time To Waste, the story of her second daughter, Kathi, who was killed in a tragic accident. Margaret is the author of seven books for Zondervan Publishing House, and three novels published by Avalon Books. The Johnsons lived in Southern California for thirty-four years. Upon retirement they moved back to their home state of Michigan. During her last decade in California, Margaret was the Assistant to the Founders of CHILDHELP USA, a non-profit organization working in the field of child abuse and neglect.

Product Details

• Paperback: 121 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan Publishing House (May 1987)
• ISBN-10: 0967270707
• ISBN-13: 978-0967270708
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,766,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every mother-daughter relationship isn't perfect., October 2, 2005

By 

Sherry A. Innes "Alaskan woman, avid reader" (Kenai, Alaska USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Eighteen, No Time to Waste (Paperback)

A must-read for every mother with a teenage daughter. Margaret Johnson's description of Kathi's emerging independence and how it affected their relationship is honest. Kathi's boundless energy and determination, so cute in the little girl, was exhausting when the adolescent Kathi continually clashed with mom. Her choice of a best friend was a huge blow to her parents, especially her mom. It was more than the usual teenage "stuff"; there was a serious personality conflict between them. Before the book is over, Kathi has a life-changing experience that profoundly improves the relationship with her mother. Sadly, Kathi's life was cut short, leaving Margaret to sort things out. This great little book was the result. If she had lived, Margaret might never have shared Kathi's story.

When I read the book in the early 70s, it didn't occur to me that one day I would relate to so much of it. My tiny daughter and I had enjoyed a special relationship so I was unprepared for the clashes that surfaced during adolescence. Re-reading the book during that experience gave me encouragement to pray and keep being the mom. It helped! My daughter is now happily married to a mild-mannered guy who truly appreciates her strong opinions and independence.

I continue to recommend this book and recently purchased a newer printing from Amazon for myself. The last time I loaned my original copy, it didn't come back to me. It's a must for my library.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's hard to put this book down, December 16, 2004

By 

Lila (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eighteen, No Time to Waste (Paperback)

I first read the book about Kathi's life probably at least 20 years ago. It is a book that is hard to put down. I was so drawn to Margaret's story about her relationship with her daughter. It certainly created a new awareness of the brevity of life, and to seize every opportunity to serve the Lord, because tomorrow is not promised. I was very inspired by this story. Excellent reading!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book gave me hope., July 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Eighteen, No Time to Waste (Paperback)

I read this book for the first time over 20 years ago. I was living in a very dark situation, and this book gave me hope that there really was a God who I could hold onto in all of life's difficulties. I read this book so many times as a teenager the pages fell out. I had to stick a rubber band around it to keep it together. Somehow, it got lost over the years so I was so excited to order it again all these years later. I read the whole thing the other day and find it still has a profound affect on me. It truly is an example of how God brings good things out of every hard thing and tragedy in our lives when we are His and called according to His purpose.