Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Cancer is terrible, but when it strikes a young, active body, it seems especially horrific. That's the case with high school student Travis Morrison. One minute he's a vibrant, healthy teen, and the next he's struck down by the devastating disease.

One sunny afternoon at the lake, Travis, two friends, Cooper and Darla, and sister Emily are enjoying a picnic and a swim. Travis tears up a rocky path beside the lake, thinking he'll show off a bit by making a high dive from a nearby cliff. Since he's a champion platform diver, it should be a breeze.

Just short of the edge he is struck by a sharp pain in his upper thigh, but he's not about to let that stop him. His friends watch as he begins his dive. When he hits the water, he hears his leg crack, and the pain he feels is incredible. Cooper shouts for the girls to call the hospital and bring the car as he carries Travis from the lake.

How does a healthy, in-shape champion diver break his leg doing a simple dive in the local lake? Multiple examinations and medical tests later, doctors announce that Travis has bone cancer, and a tumor in his upper thigh weakened the bone, causing the break.

That announcement changes life for everyone.

Lurlene McDaniel tackles the subject of euthanasia in her latest novel BREATHLESS. Using Travis, his best friend Cooper, girlfriend Darla, and his sister Emily, McDaniel explores the emotional and ethical issues of this sensitive subject from a variety of view points.

To say this novel is a real page-turner is an understatement. I truly could not put it down, and it has been on my mind ever since I finished the final page. ( )

Highly recommend for Jr. high or high school. Each chapter is written from one of the character's perspectives. Would be a great source for discussion on values. Does not promote one simple answer, rather gets one thinking. ( )

McDaniel isn’t afraid to tackle difficult subjects, in her novel Breathless she exposes her readers to Euthanasia. Told in the perspective of four characters: Travis, Emily (the sister), Darla (the girlfriend), and Cooper (the best friend.) I found the novel severely depressing, yet at the same time thought-provoking and interesting. Enlightening the reader to both positions, for and against, McDaniel is never preachy or judgmental. She allows the readers to retain their own perspectives on the issue. An awesomely written book on a delicate subject. ( )

Great Discussion Stimulator

Breathless
By Lurlene McDaniel
Pub. Date: May 2009
4 out of 5 stars
PG-13 – Sexual References, Violence, Alcohol Abuse, and Profanity
Recommended

Travis lives in the water. There is nothing more thrilling or gratifying then a successful dive. To celebrate the first day of summer vacation, Travis, his sister, his girlfriend, and his best friend, head out to the lake for some boating and swimming. During the trip, they stop on an island to eat lunch, but Travis leaves them to climb the tempting cliff poking above the water for an adrenaline junky dive. But everything goes terribly wrong. After many tests, the news is even worse than horrible. As everything falls apart, these four friends will be pushed to their moral limits because of one dire secret.

Breathless was sad and real. The story relied on the switching of character perspectives. Even though it sometimes made dialogue and actions a little confusing, the switching of perspective was this book’s strongest asset.

Breathless centered on the controversial subject of Euthanasia. Through the characters, both sides of the argument were present and explored. While reading this book, I had several questions formulating in my mind. Breathless would be a great book for high school reading teachers or parents to stimulate some really deep discussions.

Date Reviewed: May 13th, 2009

For more book reviews and book information check out my blog at www.inthecurrent.blogspot.com ( )