Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

by Lurlene McDaniel

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Sometimes Carrie Blake feels she just can't stand life's problems or pain. At fifteen, she's had leukemia for three years, and although the disease is in remission, she's never sure when things might change. Her parents, whose bitter divoce has left Carrie feeling torn between them, don't seem to understand how much harder they make her daily life.When Carrie meets Keith Gardner at a cancer support group, everything seems brighter. Keith and his loving supportive family are wonderful to show more Carrie. Then Keith's illness worsens and he knows he can no longer fight off dying. Armed with love of family and friends, Keith chooses to participate in a hospice program, which allows him to remain at home instead of in the hospital. Carrie feels helpless as she watches Keith slip away. Will Keith's courage help Carrie to face her own uncertain future? show less

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2 reviews
When I was younger, I would always read Lurlene McDaniel books. I loved them! I don't know why because they are always so sad. She writes in such a way that you really feel like you know these characters; and she did it again with this one. I have read this book several times; and even though I know how it will end, I still find myself crying every time.
I am a little surprised, however, at how quickly she has the main characters meet and create such a close friendship. In a matter of a few days these two seem to be as close as friends who have known each other for many years. I know with the plot of the book, and the length, she had to move things along; however it may have made it a bit more believable if they are introduced as show more knowing each other for a longer period of time. By the time you get to the end you forget the quick intro and still feel for everyone. It doesn't hurt the book too much at all. show less
One of my favorite books by this author, this is a very moving story of hope, survival, and loss.
½

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109 Works 12,921 Members
Lurlene McDaniel was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 5, 1944. She received a B.A. in English from the University of South Florida in Tampa. Before she started writing young adult books, she wrote a magazine column and promos and commercials at a television station. After her children were born, she turned to freelance advertising. When show more her son was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the age of 3, she attended a convention for diabetes and met up with the organizer who connected her with a publishing company specializing in children's books. Her first book was Kickaroo: The Soccer Playing Kangaroo. She soon realized that writing picture books was not what she wanted to do, so she wrote Will Never Dance Again, about a girl who is diagnosed with diabetes. Thus began her career writing stories about teenagers who overcome life altering illnesses and the lessons learned. Her other books include Somewhere Between Life and Death, Too Young to Die, Goodbye Doesn't Mean Forever, Six Months to Live, and The Year of Chasing Dreams. She received a RITA Award for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep and three IRA-CBC Children's Choice Awards. (Bowker Author Biography) show less

Awards and Honors

Common Knowledge

Original publication date
1990
People/Characters
Carrie Blake; Keith Gardner

Classifications

Genres
Fiction and Literature, Tween, Teen, Young Adult
LCC
M4781MusicMusic
BISAC

Statistics

Members
152
Popularity
214,408
Reviews
2
Rating
½ (3.52)
Languages
English
Media
Paper, Ebook
ISBNs
8
ASINs
2