Crutcher, C. (2007). Deadline. Greenwillow Books, NY.
Ben Wolf is a senior in small town Idaho. After going for a routine sports physical, he has just received the news that he has a rare blood disease. The doctor gives him a year to live and so Ben decides to refuse treatment and keep his illness a secret from everyone. During his year he plays on the school football team with his brother, reads books that teach him about real life, makes friends with a homeless man, and starts a relationship with the beautiful Dallas Suzuki. During his time living life to the fullest and with guidance from a character in his dreams (Hey-Soos), he realizes how keeping his secret would be hurting those who love him.
Deadline is a realistic fiction book about living life to the fullest. It is a great read for all but I believe like many of Chris Crutcher's books it has a certain appeal to young men. It includes topics of sports, friends, family, school, and liking girls. Teacher's might see value in this book as an accompanying book to The Autobiography of Malcom X which is a text connection that has meaning in the book. It also would be a great theme to center around a writing topic based off the question on the front cover of the book." What if you only had one year to live...and you knew it?" What would you do? How would you live life differently than if you didn't know? The Book lends itself to many quality writing opportunities.
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