A Time to Love, a Time to Mourn

by Paige Dixon

Eighteen-year-old Jordan has everything to live for. He’s good-looking, smart, and in love. His future is just beginning when tragedy strikes. Doomed by a crippling disease, he’s determined to live every moment he has left. How he seizes life and wins a special victory is a bittersweet story of courage and love in the face of shattering fate.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult

284 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

A pseudonym for Barbara Corcoran.

Reviews

[Melodi]

This book left such an impression on my 12 year old brain and I will never forget it.

[Debb · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with other reviewers, I first read this novel many years ago when I was in my teens. Still have my original book 😁. The story had stuck with me, and I thought it would be interesting to re-read and see if I still liked it. The story did not disappoint. The characters were likeable and believable. I would say that the story moved quite quickly, maybe more quickly than I wanted, which makes it an easy read. Poignant, thoughtful and beautiful.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jordan said, “I wonder if there’s any chance of turning into a star when you die.”
He was looking out the window.
Skipper was quiet for a moment. Then he said softly, “You’d make a fine star, Jordie.”


This book means so much to me, for many reasons. One, it was a birthday gift from my sister, inside the cover was inscribed with what she took away from the story. The copy I received was tattered, pages yellow and creased, and it just looked like it had been loved by so many people. Over this past week I’ve carefully read this book and each day I seemed to be touched deeper by it than the previous day. This is a story I think everyone would benefit from reading, as it teaches us so many important things.

Also, in honor of Jordan, I will be painting him sitting on the bridge in the springtime alongside his dear friend, Em.

[T'Shura Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story

[Kerry Lindqvist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was 12 after buying it from a school Lucky Book Club. It had a huge impact on me and I think it was probably because it was the first book to make me cry! I am now 50 and still have the book, yellowed pages and all.

[Louise Godfrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cried and cried and cried

[Amie Burgess]

One of my favorites. I rarely keep copies of books because I don't like having too much stuff but this one I treasure.

[ChiroDoc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has popped into my head so many times since I first read it in high school in the 80's....It's out of print but I need to find it again.

[Alexis Mazzenga · Rating 3 out of 5]

what a beautiful story, it had me holding back tears in the last chapter. lou gehrigs disease is so hard to read about, i can’t imagine watching a family member struggle with it.

[Lbaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a very long time ago, however, I still remember it as a unflinching unsentimental book about a young man facing death. Jordan chooses to live life to it's fullest rather than waste a lot of time feeling sorry for himself, a lesson that most of us could use.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a book about dying that is good, and warm, and careful, and thoughtful, without being sappy or manipulative or trying to make you think any certain thing.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another reader summed up my thoughts perfectly: This book made a huge impression on my young (11-13 years old, I think) brain. I've never forgotten it.

[Leeanne McHarg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has stayed with me for a very long time!! I read it as a 13 year old and have always remembered exactly how it made me feel.

[jaimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was 12, a sixth grader and it's haunted me 41 years