Book Recommendation by Katie Pizarek

When I was in middle/high school I was a huge fan of Lurlene McDaniel books. She has written well over 40 books and I can honestly say I've read them all. Her books deal with personal struggles from romance to deathly illnesses. When I was in grade school I had to deal with the illness of a parent and I can honestly say that these books brought me all the sympathy and comfort in the world. They are more geared towards middle school/early high school students, however I still read the new ones as they come out today. I think that they would be a great resource to have to recommend to future students, for they truly are inspiring and very realistic. The Internet book list gave her an 8.6 out of ten (76 people voted). Here is an excerpt from her home web page http://www.randomhouse.com/features/lurlene/about_lurlene.html:

McDaniel has written over 40 novels about kids who face life-threatening illnesses, who sometimes do not survive. These are powerful, inspirational stories about courage, love, and strength in the face of overwhelming trauma. McDaniel’s books touch the hearts and spirits of the teenagers and adults who read them. Her following is a devoted group of appreciative fans. McDaniel says: “These are books that challenge you and make you think.”

Some readers—and their parents—have wondered why McDaniel chooses to write about sad situations. “I tell them that sometimes tragedy hits people—kids, too. They want answers. They want to know ‘why.’ By using novels, I show ordinary kids confronting and overcoming great odds.” McDaniel’s books are ultimately optimistic and life-affirming.

To make certain that her books are medically accurate, McDaniel conducts extensive research. She interviews health care professionals and works with appropriate medical groups and hospice organizations, as well as the Tennessee Organ Donor Services. “I study medicine and traditional grief therapy techniques to give the novels a sense of serious medical reality,” she says. “I also study the Bible to instill the human element—the values and ethics often overlooked by the coldness of technology."