Too Young to Die

Melissa & Jory #1

by Lurlene McDaniel

At sixteen, Melissa Austin has always worked hard to make things go her way. As the school year begins, her grades are up and she's even landed a coveted spot on the high school Brain Bowl team.  She and her best friend, Jory Delaney, are determined to have the best junior year ever.

But suddenly 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.  The caring and closeness Melissa feels toward her family and especially toward Jory help her find the inner strength and courage to face the mysteries of living and dying.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Teen, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Childrens

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1989

About the author

Lurlene McDaniel (born c. 1948) is an author who has written over 50 young adult books. She is well known for writing about characters struggling with chronic and terminal illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, and organ failure.


Other places to find her are...
https://www.facebook.com/lurlenemcdan...
http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/aut...
http://www.youtube.com/user/LurleneMc

Reviews

[Samantha Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved this one but it was really sad at one point it almost made me cry i will not go into detail as to not spoil it for everyone but i really enjoyed it

[Ella Waltman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book.

[Jessica Weinberger · Rating 2 out of 5]

My main problem with the story was Ric. He was a creep and annoying since his introduction! He's nineteen years old and wants to date the main character who is sixteeeen!! "I want to make love to you, Melissa. I want to sleep with you and wake up with you." BARF!🤢🤮 I had hoped Ric would've been killed off or lost his other leg☹️

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

YA lit has come a loooong way since this 1989 gem. Thank goodness! I had to choose a Lurlene McDaniel paperback to read for class so I chose this one. I always stayed away from them when I was 12ish because I thought they looked too depressing. This one wasn't so much depressing as boring. But again, at the time it was published it was probably filling a niche! On a side note, I'm pretty sure Lurlene is using the same author photo from the 80s in her recently published books.

Here it is :)
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgur...

[Sheetal Dash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful it shows the power love can have. In this book you can get the feeling that life can be bad but it can have good sides if you have love. This is the only book I've read about someone with cancer and it taught me so much I didn't know. I admit I didn't buy this book for educational purposes but once I got reading, I really enjoyed the book. This book wasn't just about what a family goes through when a relative has cancer or it doesn't just go on about hospitals and facts about cancer but it has both, equally, which makes this such a good book. I can't wait to start reading more Lurlene McDaniel books since this is just my first!!!

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a book I had read back in elementary school, pretty aure bought from a scholastic book fair and it's a quintessential McDaniel novel, meaning to a 9 year old it was amazing and to a 43 year old it's sentimental, tragic cheese. 2 stars.

[Mary Bronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a very good book. I really enjoyed reading it. I loved the plot and characters of the story. This was a heartwarming and heartbreaking book. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Karley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s really good it just didn’t have that good of an ending

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up off of the free shelf at the library thinking it might be a book for my classroom. I'm glad I read it first because it not appropriate for fourth graders in my opinion. I saw that it had a fourth grade reading level and was recommended for children 10 years of age and up. I disagree since it talks about liking boys, kissing, and even having sex which makes me put this book as more appropriate for at least middle schoolers in my opinion. The book does talk honestly about having a serious illness and how the main character's life changed so much. I also liked how her family and friends rallied around her.

[Book Magic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I read this book ages ago, but I wanted 2 re read. As I suspected this book held the test of time for me, showing that life, despite its hardships.. always moves forward. It's how you approach the movement that determines your life and yourself...

[Kayla Upchurch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish it had different POV and I wish that we had more insight of Rachel and Melissa relationship I wish I would have been able to cry...but I do love Lurlene mcdaniel
Maybe in future author could rewrite using more then one POV???

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book 29 years ago and it always stuck with me. Found this book and the follow up on eBay for cheap so felt it was time for a trip down memory lane. Easy read, mainly dialogue and the perfect little brain break I needed

[Ria Bridges]

Reread for a project

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cancer is scary. And I hope I never have to deal with it personally in anyway, that includes people I know, but the stories are just...something

[Ash Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an easy read. Typically I’m more of a fantasy person, but these characters really grew on me a lot and I am excited to see what the second book holds.

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sad and powerful novel of deep love and death.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lurlene McDaniel has written another powerful novel about a life changing event in a young persons life. In this book, after Melissa finds out she has leukemia, she struggles to accept it at first. Eventually, after coming to terms with it, she fights hard to survive and still achieve the goals she had before the diagnosis. Along the way, relationships are strengthened and stretched to the limits.
McDaniel does an excellent job showing and forcing the reader to feel the characters emotions, struggles, and situations. Even if someone had never had this happen to them or someone they know, I highly recommend this book as it teaches how the power of friendship and family is so important. This book can also give insight into a topic that may help readers be more understanding about difficult circumstances.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about how Melissa found out that she leukemia. Her family and her best friend Jory had helped her and supported her. Melissa is a very strong and agressive girl who wants to do her best in everything. After an event that happened, Melissa slowly realize or understand what she really wants and needs.
I like this book because I can relate to it because I have a best friend that always supported me. Especially this year, when I had a hard time and she was there for me and allowed me to pour all my feelings out without feeling annoyed. I believed strong friendship and finding a good friend to talk to is very important and one can feel less stressed.

[Christian Singer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though the subject matter of her books is intense, Lurlene McDaniel crafts stories that make you feel as if you know the characters and care about their illnesses and struggles. So far I haven't read a book of hers I wouldn't recommend.
"At sixteen, Melissa Austin has always worked hard to make things go her way. . . . Then suddenly Melissa must face some devastating news about her health" (blurb from the back cover). What must it be like to have everything going for you and big dreams for the future, then your health takes a wrong turn? Too Young to Die gives readers a glimpse into what life can be like for someone facing a health crisis and an uncertain future.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, i loved this book. It truly showed the bond between a high school girl and her family and friends. Melissa is easy to relate to and pulls you in with her unique personality. Again, i have to congratulate Lurlene McDaniel for another masterpiece. This book is compelling, interesting, and educational. If you know someone that doesn't like to read I'd recommend this book. It's THAT good!

[Yang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very sad and touching story. The protagonist, Melissa, finds out that she has leukemia but she didn't want to believe it. Melissa gains a lot of support from family and friends and creates a great bond with them. This book has made me think about how fragile life is and to appreciate the time you have to spend with family and friends.

[Kianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was really touching. it was so sad how she just woke up one morning with a life that wouldnt be the same anymore. having cancer and leukemia is nothing to play with and i know what it feels like to have to go through that.

[I Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book quite a while back and the fact the it has stood out in my memory is proof that it was a good read. I found it interesting and sad discovering what life with cancer is like. Recommended.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Lurlene McDaniel has a perfect book. She is a wonderful author. She pleased me in every book i have read so far. If you haven't read this book I recommend it! It is for people who like sad stories. It is sad but then it begins to become happy.

[Colleen Rue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit close to home,as I lost my best friend Jessica when we were both 16 to bone cancer.I also read the second book about Melissa and Jory.Both are great.Reading both books brought back memories,both happy and sad,of the times Jessie and I had spent together.

[Bri Hogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawns life turns out of control. when she was 12 years old and she found out she has cancer. She thought her life was perfect but that day turnd out to be the worst day in anyones life.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why...why did I weep in a Barney's Coffee shop?

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Lurlene McDaniel, she is my favorite author and i love all her books.

[Melissa]

Too Young to Die is a novel of a young teen who fights for what she wants! Another amazing novel by Lurlene McDaniel

[Aubrie]

This is a great book to read you will go through all the emotions of happy to sad