When Dreams Shatter

by Lurlene McDaniel

The doctors said Rachel had a disease that would affect her for the rest of her life. What will happen to her hopes and dreams?

Genres: Young Adult, Novels, Childrens, Teen

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1988

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

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nostalgia+Ballet+Diabetes onset with adolescent angst= exactly the kind of 80s escapism I needed on a crappy day. I enjoyed this quick book from my elementary school years (found in a used book sale) more than is appropriate, but today I seriously needed to veg out and indulge in guilty pleasures of the past. Rachel Deering's life problems with dealing with diabetes and dancing and boys made my day a little more fun. Thanks, Lurlene McDaniel, for making me remember being 9 on a day when being 39 sucked.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an oldie but goodie. Ballerina gets the flu, it doesn’t bounce back like she should. Shows all the classic signs of diabetes, but she has no clue about the disease. Finally her mother makes her go to the doctor, but he’s running behind and she leaves to go to her dance class. She passes out and has to be taken by ambulance to the hospital with ketoacidosis. This takes you along her journey of coming to terms with her disease, meeting a boy who also has it and is an athlete, and how to control her disease, instead of letting it control her.

[Mary Bronson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great topic of Lurlene McDaniel to write about. Not many books out there that talk about juvenile diabetes. This book was published in 1988 and not many young adult books that talk about this subject. One of the issues I had with this novel is Rachel as a main character. At times she was a complete brat, but other than that I liked it. Thought it was a great story.

[Toni N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book at a school book sale. I believe it was the first young adult book I EVER bought. I can't remember all of the story details. But, I remember reading this a few times and crying every time like a baby! I then passed it on to my younger sister, who was so angry at me for having her read such a strong tear-jerker. Eventually, I grew up and donated it to a library in my community. Thank you Lurlene McDaniel for contributing something so beautiful to my childhood memories.