Peggy H. (PeggyJ) reviewed on 2/5/2007 + 11 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Gr 6-9-The tone of these three love stories is set with a quotation from the Song of Solomon describing the strength of love in life, and in death; this is further accentuated in the prologue that contains Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "How Do I Love Thee" to explain the effects of unconditional love. In the first selection, high school senior Brett, a leukemia survivor, meets Shayla, who has a sun allergy. They fall in love, and the drama peaks when her skin becomes badly burned after she falls asleep in a boat and she dies. In "Bobby's Girl," Dana is dating Bobby but once had a secret fling with his brother, who has terminal brain cancer, and he wants her back. In "Laura's Heart," a high school junior hospitalized because of heart damage falls for the night intern, and, in spite of parental objections, they see one another. In a melodramatic turn, he is shot and killed, but his heart is salvageable. An element of love poetry is worked into each story. Characters are highly sensitive and emotional, and have intense personalities. Moods range from complete happiness to total devastation. There's a level of realism here; but there is also a strong dose of drama, which will attract established fans of this author. This short-story format will give new readers a taste of McDaniel's style.

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