Sheila's Dying [Hardcover]

Alden R. Carter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 22, 1987

Just as high school junior Jerry Kincaid is considering breaking up with his girlfriend, he discovers that she has a terminal case of cancer.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-12Sheila's Dying is a deeply moving story of the illness and death of a young girl. Sheila was orphaned as an infant and now, at 16, is dying of uterine cancer. Except for the alcoholic grandmother she lives with and cares for, Sheila is all alone. The story is told by her boyfriend, Jerry, who along with her best friend, Bonnie, assumes the responsibility of caring for Sheila until the end. The outstanding feature of this novel is its realism concerning all aspects of illness, hospital procedures, and the final stages of dying. Sheila as the dying patient is realistically portrayednot extraordinarily heroic, sometimes demanding and impossible, and at other times serenely waiting for death. Jerry, as the narrator, honestly describes the burden of the caretakersthe grief, the fatigue, the anger and resentment, the guilt. Sure to be popular with those looking for ``a sad story.'' Janet Bryan, North Andover High School, Mass.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 207 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (April 22, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399214054
• ISBN-13: 978-0399214059
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,514,879 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alden Carter's thirty-year career includes publication of novels for young adults and adults, nonfiction books on a wide range of topics, and picture books for and about special needs children. Among numerous awards, his novels have been named six times to the American Library Association's list of Best Books of the Year. His adult novel of the Civil War, Bright Starry Banner, was awarded the prestigious John Esten Cooke Fiction Award. A popular speaker, he has given over 600 presentations in schools and at conferences for writers and educators. A former teacher and naval officer, he lives in Marshfield, Wisconsin, with his wife, Carol. They have two adult children: Brian, an architect, and Siri, a college student.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars a sad, but sweet love story, July 22, 2002

By 

"diamond10_77" (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sheila's Dying (Hardcover)

I read this book for the first time when I was in eighth grade. It is a wonderful story of young adults dealing with death and life after it. But in the mist of all the heartache that goes with death, Mr. Carter weaves in a delightful love story that will leave you feeling good about yourself and those around you.

I would strongly recommend this book to any young adult reader (or adult reader for that matter) because of the story's simple look at a hard topic. This is one book that you will want to read again!

5.0 out of 5 stars A story of friends that stand by each other in tragedies!, November 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sheila's Dying (Hardcover)

I rated this book as a 5 star rating, because this story was very interresting the whole way through. It is very difficult for me to get interrested in reading. This story inspired me to keep reading. The tragedy of Sheila was very sad and the help from her friends Bonnie and Jerry was so awesome. I totally recommend this book to everyone to read.