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arundlestl's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick read. It's one of those "dying kid" books, but not at all sad or sappy Lifetime movie. If you like football (or even know how the game is played, which I don't) you may enjoy it. I wished for a more satisfying ending though.
hastings91's review against another edition
2.0
2.5/5
Here is the thing: I'm glad this book exists. It tackles great themes about race, religion, and the dangers of rape and child molestation. That being said...I just didn't like it very much. I feel like anything I got out of this could have been learned by browsing articles on the internet. Every second chapter was basically an article. And because Crutcher tried to tackle so many ideas, I think half of them got to jumbled to be truly impactful. Also, the plot. Where is it? Basically nothing happened until the last couple chapters.
To be fair, I also hate football, so that part of the book was completely lost on me. I think if I was a fan, this would be way more enjoyable. I liked the main character, but also had tons of problems with the way his character was developed. Ben's motivation for not taking treatment was practically non-existent. And if he grew throughout the book, I must have missed it. Most of the other characters I felt pretty neutral on. The one side character I really adored was The Coach. He was so nice and supportive of Ben!
In conclusion, this book explored a lot of great themes, but not in a way that couldn't be put effectively into an arcticle. It may be enjoyable if unlike me you are a fan of football.
Here is the thing: I'm glad this book exists. It tackles great themes about race, religion, and the dangers of rape and child molestation. That being said...I just didn't like it very much. I feel like anything I got out of this could have been learned by browsing articles on the internet. Every second chapter was basically an article. And because Crutcher tried to tackle so many ideas, I think half of them got to jumbled to be truly impactful. Also, the plot. Where is it? Basically nothing happened until the last couple chapters.
To be fair, I also hate football, so that part of the book was completely lost on me. I think if I was a fan, this would be way more enjoyable. I liked the main character, but also had tons of problems with the way his character was developed. Ben's motivation for not taking treatment was practically non-existent. And if he grew throughout the book, I must have missed it. Most of the other characters I felt pretty neutral on. The one side character I really adored was The Coach. He was so nice and supportive of Ben!
In conclusion, this book explored a lot of great themes, but not in a way that couldn't be put effectively into an arcticle. It may be enjoyable if unlike me you are a fan of football.
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
3.0
After his track summer physical (this is the summer before his senior year of high school), Ben finds out he is terminally ill and the doctor gives him a year to live. Opting to forgo any treatment (it will only prolong his life for a short while, not to mention the side effects), Ben also decides to keep it a secret from everyone, family included. Ben decides to make this last year count, taking risks, like joining the football team and hitting on Dallas Suzuki (who before he never dreamed of approaching). But Ben comes to realize that he can't do it alone.
HS
HS
emilymorgan02's review against another edition
4.0
I love Chris Crutcher and I loved this book. It is about a senior in high school who finds out he has about a year left to live. He decides to not tell anyone and have the best year ever. He goes out for the football team even though he is about 5'5'' and 130 pounds, he asks out the girl of his dreams, and he challenges his teachers to learn as much as he can. It is a powerful story with great characters. It is a little edgy, but worth every word.
sfujii's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book more than I actually did. I'm trying to read all YA books during the school year, and also trying to make sure that I read books that have male protagonists.
The premise was really interesting, if sad. Ben finds out he has a terminal disease, decides to keep it to himself and not seek treatment, in an effort to live the last year of his life as "normally" as possible. However, some of the developments in the lives of the supporting characters were just lacking believability or development. There were three sub-plot lines that just kind of came out of nowhere and just really made me curl me lip a bit like, really?
I also am tired of the football-hero-saves-the-world story. Over it. Football players are not gods. I need to find a book about a kick-butt, bookish type.
The premise was really interesting, if sad. Ben finds out he has a terminal disease, decides to keep it to himself and not seek treatment, in an effort to live the last year of his life as "normally" as possible. However, some of the developments in the lives of the supporting characters were just lacking believability or development. There were three sub-plot lines that just kind of came out of nowhere and just really made me curl me lip a bit like, really?
I also am tired of the football-hero-saves-the-world story. Over it. Football players are not gods. I need to find a book about a kick-butt, bookish type.
akristinab's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I thought it would be a lot sadder than it was. It really shows that you can use your time in a productive way and you can change lives, even if it's just one person's life you change.
mb24's review against another edition
5.0
I love Chris Crutcher! This one is about a high school senior who discovers he has only one year to live and what he does with that year. Funny, heartbreaking, thought provoking...it's got everything!
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
5.0
Book #100 Read in 2017
Deadline by Chris Crutcher
This is actually a re-read for me; I read it years ago when it first came out. It will be our next class read in my Young Adult Literature class. Ben, a senior, finds out that he has an aggressive terminal illness. He decides to forgo treatment in order to have a "normal" senior year. He also decides to keep news of illness to himself. This proves problematic as he develops new friendships and he realizes he has to let his friends and family know. While the topic is heavy, this book is filled with a humor, and a philosophy on life, that will appeal to high school and adult readers alike.
Deadline by Chris Crutcher
This is actually a re-read for me; I read it years ago when it first came out. It will be our next class read in my Young Adult Literature class. Ben, a senior, finds out that he has an aggressive terminal illness. He decides to forgo treatment in order to have a "normal" senior year. He also decides to keep news of illness to himself. This proves problematic as he develops new friendships and he realizes he has to let his friends and family know. While the topic is heavy, this book is filled with a humor, and a philosophy on life, that will appeal to high school and adult readers alike.