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One Last Wish #1
A Time to Die
A story of finding hope in the unlikeliest of places, perfect for fans of Five Feet Apart—both the book and movie—looking for their next read! Sixteen-year-old Kara Fischer has cystic fibrosis and only months to live. But the close-knit bond she develops with Vince, who also has the disease, helps her come to terms with her own illness. Given one last wish, Kara wonders if miracles could really happen.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1992
31 people are currently reading
967 people want to read
About the author
Lurlene McDaniel
134 books2,711 followersLurlene McDaniel (born c. 1948) is an author who has written over 50 young adult books. She is well known for writing about characters struggling with chronic and terminal illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, and organ failure.
Other places to find her are...
https://www.facebook.com/lurlenemcdan...
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http://www.youtube.com/user/LurleneMc
Other places to find her are...
https://www.facebook.com/lurlenemcdan...
http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/aut...
http://www.youtube.com/user/LurleneMc
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 17, 2017
-So many typos. Are you sure someone edited this?
-It's weird how obsessed some people are about virginity. Yeesh.
-Lurlene cannot write a realistic teenage voice/dialogue. It's hilarious. lolz
-It's weird how obsessed some people are about virginity. Yeesh.
-Lurlene cannot write a realistic teenage voice/dialogue. It's hilarious. lolz
September 12, 2016
I read this book when I was in 6th grade. I am now in 11th.
I ended up giving this book away to a nickel social and about two years later wondering about it. I had forgot the author and the book name but I wanted to read it soo bad! Now here it is. Amazing, spirit lifting, tear jerking, a great story.
I ended up giving this book away to a nickel social and about two years later wondering about it. I had forgot the author and the book name but I wanted to read it soo bad! Now here it is. Amazing, spirit lifting, tear jerking, a great story.
November 1, 2013
“A Time to Die” is about Kara Fisher who was born with cystic Fibrosis and is unable of doing certain activities because of it. She has two people who she cares deeply about and they both try to be there for her as much as possible. One day she finds a letter that contains a check for 100 thousand dollars and the benefice is unknown.
This story is told in mostly Kara’s point of view, but in a few chapters it’s told in Eric’s and Vince’s point of view. Eric is her best friend, and Vince is her crush. Kara and Eric have been friends for awhile, and they tell each other everything, but he only thing that Kara doesn't know about Eric is that the has a crush on her. Eric becomes jealous of Vince because she’s been trying to spend time with him.
It doesn’t really say which state it takes place in, but throughout the story they are in different places such as: her house, school, and a festival.
The thematic connection in this book is to never give up. Kara shows this all throughout the story because even though she can’t do any sports she doesn’t let it get in the way of her art.
I would recommend this book to middle school girls because they would be old enough to understand most of the stuff that is in here.
This story is told in mostly Kara’s point of view, but in a few chapters it’s told in Eric’s and Vince’s point of view. Eric is her best friend, and Vince is her crush. Kara and Eric have been friends for awhile, and they tell each other everything, but he only thing that Kara doesn't know about Eric is that the has a crush on her. Eric becomes jealous of Vince because she’s been trying to spend time with him.
It doesn’t really say which state it takes place in, but throughout the story they are in different places such as: her house, school, and a festival.
The thematic connection in this book is to never give up. Kara shows this all throughout the story because even though she can’t do any sports she doesn’t let it get in the way of her art.
I would recommend this book to middle school girls because they would be old enough to understand most of the stuff that is in here.
February 5, 2009
A time to die is about a girl that has a lung infection and the name for it is C.F. and what that is, is mucus that builds up in the lungs and therapeutic pounding helps to dislodge the thick mucus in kara lungs and throughout the story it tells more about the girl kara and in one chapter she recives a letter from JWC and this person gives her a special gift and the gift was money a large amount of money and told her to spend it where ever she wanted to spen it on no strings attached and within the letter the person tells her that this gift can't keep her from hurting or keep her living but find a purpose, faith and courage.
The letter was from a foundation called one last wish.
The letter was from a foundation called one last wish.
July 12, 2011
I read these books as a child. Lurlene McDaniel used to be my favorite author as a young girl. I was fascinated with learning about illnesses and the emotions, thoughts and events that follow the diagnosis and treatment. The One Last Wish series, as well as the Dawn Rochelle series were my favorite. The random ones had some hits and misses.
February 4, 2019
I truly enjoyed this book, and not just because it was by Lurlene McDaniel. (Okay maybe a little bias, don't judge me!) Anyway, I thought that this book was so well written. I am about to get spoilery, so if you haven't read the book, STOP, go read it, and then come back!
Even though you want to hate Eric for the way he treated Kara at first, and even for his discomfort around her when he decided to try to be in her life, you can't because you realized that even though you think his is a bad person, the majority of people feel the same way around people when they find out they are sick, especially when they can't understand the disease. However, I love how protective Vince is of Kara and how he sees Eric for who his is because Kara is blinded by her infatuation with him. So, every time Vince and Eric have an interaction, Vince is always quietly judging him and challenging him because he loves his best friend so much and doesn't want to see her get hurt.
What I loved most about this book is that, even though the title, and knowing the authors writting style, I still managed to convince myself that everything was going to get better and everyone would live happily ever after...it is a series after all, doesn't she have to live? GUESS AGAIN! I loved that she still managed to make Kara's death come out of no where because that is how death works in real life. There is never a glowing neon sign telling you to get ready for the death of a loved one, even when they are terminally ill it is unexpected. I loved the way that Lurlene showed the ups and downs of people with a terminal illness and how they tend to seem better before everything goes south in the blink of an eye. I loved this book so much and I can't wait to continue on with the series.
One last thing though, if you have read this book, did you find it as odd and a little creepy as I did when she got a random check with a note that was like, "Hey, you have never met me, but I know you and you're super brave. Here's 100,000 dollars!" As nice as it seems, I still find it a little creepy, even though I know it came from a charity like the "Make-a-wish" foundation. Only instead of just sending you where you want to go, they just give you the boat load of cash to do with as you please.
I just want to say again how much I LOVED this book and I can't wait to continue on with the series.
Even though you want to hate Eric for the way he treated Kara at first, and even for his discomfort around her when he decided to try to be in her life, you can't because you realized that even though you think his is a bad person, the majority of people feel the same way around people when they find out they are sick, especially when they can't understand the disease. However, I love how protective Vince is of Kara and how he sees Eric for who his is because Kara is blinded by her infatuation with him. So, every time Vince and Eric have an interaction, Vince is always quietly judging him and challenging him because he loves his best friend so much and doesn't want to see her get hurt.
What I loved most about this book is that, even though the title, and knowing the authors writting style, I still managed to convince myself that everything was going to get better and everyone would live happily ever after...it is a series after all, doesn't she have to live? GUESS AGAIN! I loved that she still managed to make Kara's death come out of no where because that is how death works in real life. There is never a glowing neon sign telling you to get ready for the death of a loved one, even when they are terminally ill it is unexpected. I loved the way that Lurlene showed the ups and downs of people with a terminal illness and how they tend to seem better before everything goes south in the blink of an eye. I loved this book so much and I can't wait to continue on with the series.
One last thing though, if you have read this book, did you find it as odd and a little creepy as I did when she got a random check with a note that was like, "Hey, you have never met me, but I know you and you're super brave. Here's 100,000 dollars!" As nice as it seems, I still find it a little creepy, even though I know it came from a charity like the "Make-a-wish" foundation. Only instead of just sending you where you want to go, they just give you the boat load of cash to do with as you please.
I just want to say again how much I LOVED this book and I can't wait to continue on with the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 16, 2013 A Time to Die 1992, 192pp.
Lurlene McDaniel ISBN: 0553298097
Being a 16 year-old is not easy because you are a currently in High School and a lot of changes in life occur at this time period. But life's even harder when you know that you have a life-threatening disease and can no longer live more than 6 months. Kara has been diagnosed with cystic fibosis, a medical condition that relates to the lungs. She has been notified that she can't live more than a several months more, and it is really sad to hear that. Kara have always been great with close friends, and never thought she will have to face this huge challenge of fighting a deadly disease, but it is a true fact now. Kara really don't want to think too much now, and spend everyday happily. But one day, Kara recieved a letter from the One Wish foundation. Inside, a anonymous person have written a check to Kara and telling her to spend it on a wish or anything she wants to do. Kara is very curious and wonders who gave her the check. Who gave Kara the check? How will Kara spend the check? Why did the person decide to give the money to Kara? Will Kara find out who the person is?
While reading A Time to Die , I felt like I was in Kara's shoes. I felt like I knew how she was feeling, what she is experiencing and how hard life is for her. This book can also relate to the book My Sister's Keeper because they both talk about a girl who had a disease and is working hard to fight it. This book was great, and I'll definitely like to recommend it, especially to teenagers. This is because this book is about teen issues and it will be easier for teens to catch the conflict that main character is facing.
A Time to Die is a book with a unique plot and a book with a huge amount of surprises. It also have a moral which is to appreciate what you have in life, do what you want to do , because if something happens, you may not even have a chance to do what you wanted to do.
Lurlene McDaniel ISBN: 0553298097
Being a 16 year-old is not easy because you are a currently in High School and a lot of changes in life occur at this time period. But life's even harder when you know that you have a life-threatening disease and can no longer live more than 6 months. Kara has been diagnosed with cystic fibosis, a medical condition that relates to the lungs. She has been notified that she can't live more than a several months more, and it is really sad to hear that. Kara have always been great with close friends, and never thought she will have to face this huge challenge of fighting a deadly disease, but it is a true fact now. Kara really don't want to think too much now, and spend everyday happily. But one day, Kara recieved a letter from the One Wish foundation. Inside, a anonymous person have written a check to Kara and telling her to spend it on a wish or anything she wants to do. Kara is very curious and wonders who gave her the check. Who gave Kara the check? How will Kara spend the check? Why did the person decide to give the money to Kara? Will Kara find out who the person is?
While reading A Time to Die , I felt like I was in Kara's shoes. I felt like I knew how she was feeling, what she is experiencing and how hard life is for her. This book can also relate to the book My Sister's Keeper because they both talk about a girl who had a disease and is working hard to fight it. This book was great, and I'll definitely like to recommend it, especially to teenagers. This is because this book is about teen issues and it will be easier for teens to catch the conflict that main character is facing.
A Time to Die is a book with a unique plot and a book with a huge amount of surprises. It also have a moral which is to appreciate what you have in life, do what you want to do , because if something happens, you may not even have a chance to do what you wanted to do.
December 2, 2009
This is the continuation of a book I read and loved in junior high, so please don't judge me for liking the "Dawn Rochelle series" even though I am in my 30's! Even funnier is that the author only writes book dealing with death and terminal illnesses. Way to carve out a niche.
March 25, 2017
I thought this was a very good book. I really enjoyed reading it. I loved the plot and the characters. They were very well written. I was very heartwarming and touching book. I also loved the other "One Last Wish" books. Great series.
February 2, 2020
And I'm crying! <3 Like, I thought I was ready for this one but alas, the tears returned!
A Time to Die is listed as the first One Last Wish book and honestly, the One Last Wish part of it was just a footnote thrown in at the last 1/3 of the book like an afterthought. While I'd read quite a few of these as a kid this wasn't one I'd come across so it was fresh.
Kara and her best friend Vince have cystic fibrosis, a disease which has the lungs fill with fluid so she's stuck getting this twice daily "thumping" routine to clear her lungs. She's feeling pretty "meh" until she meets her therapist's brother Eric and her whole world lights up again as she falls in love with him despite her continuing to avoid her cause he's uncomfortable with her illness. When she gets really sick though he sticks around and Kara, Vince, and Eric form a little posse. When Kara does get her One Last Wish check, she sticks it in the drawer and doesn't tell anyone until she's actually dying and decides to divvy it up among her friends and request that they spend it on very specific things.
So yeah, Kara dies in this one and while that was sad it was the description of grief that really hit me. We've been there though, that heavy feeling in your chest the urge to just get out of there, the need to talk but the lack of desire to do so...grief is tough and McDaniels paints it perfectly to where I felt like I had to talk about Kara too. But honestly, this book did feel like a first go. There was awkward pacing with Eric just suddenly being on board after he purposely avoided Kara, clunky and unrealistic dialogue amongst some great narration, and unrelated and unexplained plot pieces. Like Vince and Eric's animosity, Eric and Kara making out from nowhere, and Eric's past that he keeps bringing up but never elaborating on and of course, Kara's last note to him that we never see. Overall, I think it was good...it was easier to read than the cancer ones as there was less medical jargon in this one. I'm really unfamiliar with CF though so I don't know how accurate the depictions of Kara's struggles with the disease were. I learned a lot about CF though!
A Time to Die is listed as the first One Last Wish book and honestly, the One Last Wish part of it was just a footnote thrown in at the last 1/3 of the book like an afterthought. While I'd read quite a few of these as a kid this wasn't one I'd come across so it was fresh.
Kara and her best friend Vince have cystic fibrosis, a disease which has the lungs fill with fluid so she's stuck getting this twice daily "thumping" routine to clear her lungs. She's feeling pretty "meh" until she meets her therapist's brother Eric and her whole world lights up again as she falls in love with him despite her continuing to avoid her cause he's uncomfortable with her illness. When she gets really sick though he sticks around and Kara, Vince, and Eric form a little posse. When Kara does get her One Last Wish check, she sticks it in the drawer and doesn't tell anyone until she's actually dying and decides to divvy it up among her friends and request that they spend it on very specific things.
So yeah, Kara dies in this one and while that was sad it was the description of grief that really hit me. We've been there though, that heavy feeling in your chest the urge to just get out of there, the need to talk but the lack of desire to do so...grief is tough and McDaniels paints it perfectly to where I felt like I had to talk about Kara too. But honestly, this book did feel like a first go. There was awkward pacing with Eric just suddenly being on board after he purposely avoided Kara, clunky and unrealistic dialogue amongst some great narration, and unrelated and unexplained plot pieces. Like Vince and Eric's animosity, Eric and Kara making out from nowhere, and Eric's past that he keeps bringing up but never elaborating on and of course, Kara's last note to him that we never see. Overall, I think it was good...it was easier to read than the cancer ones as there was less medical jargon in this one. I'm really unfamiliar with CF though so I don't know how accurate the depictions of Kara's struggles with the disease were. I learned a lot about CF though!
August 18, 2022
I’ve started reading and without giving too much away I’m going to say that the respiratory therapist’s relationship with the main character is really crossing the boundary . She is just part of her healthcare team, what the patient does in her personal life is none of her ( insert swear here ) business . I understand that she’s become like a friend to the patient but yeah she’s overstepping it . Her conduct is unprofessional. I seriously hope the main character chooses another impartial and professionally detached therapist by the end of the book.
September 18, 2019
The book was very good and interesting and I loved how it end that Vince and Eric decided to be friends and that everyone will remember Kara and how she split the check and gave everyone she cared for the money.
October 11, 2021
I loved this book just as much at 38 ad I did at 15. The story is heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. Fatal diseases are never easy to read or think about but harder still when it is children and teenagers.
August 25, 2018
Cruise read. (and my eleventybillionth time reading this book). but this one was always one of my favourites.
February 25, 2019
amazing! loved it :)
November 17, 2019
Always can read Lurlene's books.
December 4, 2020
Very sad but an amazing story
I would recommend this book to anyone. Was sad but a really good book and a amazing author. Anyone would enjoy.
I would recommend this book to anyone. Was sad but a really good book and a amazing author. Anyone would enjoy.
March 26, 2021
Reading
In my youth I read these books and I forgot most of them and now that I'm older. I remember them with different meanings
In my youth I read these books and I forgot most of them and now that I'm older. I remember them with different meanings
June 16, 2021
Book Club read, not my usual book but I still enjoyed it.
November 24, 2021
Forgot about this series. So touching.
July 3, 2022
This was really good and it brought back alot of memories of my mom when she first had her double lung transplant
October 28, 2023
All the feels
I discovered Lurlene McDaniel books in middle school and fell in love... They have all the feels with real-life problems.
I discovered Lurlene McDaniel books in middle school and fell in love... They have all the feels with real-life problems.
November 3, 2016
My Actual Rating: 3.6
These books are always sad and someone (almost) always dies but I still find them interesting to read. I like to learn about the different life threatening diseases that these teens are suffering from so I can try to be more empathetic to people who suffer from them in real life.
In this book, Kara has Cystic Fibrosis which is a disease that effects her bodies ability to function properly. She has constant lung issues and the smallest sicknesses can put her in the hospital for weeks. In this book we got to watch Kara fight her final battle with the disease. As her health decreased she found herself falling in love with Eric and wanting nothing more than to enjoy the company of her best friends and family during her final days.
She received an anonymous gift of $100,000 to have her "one last wish"
These books are always sad and someone (almost) always dies but I still find them interesting to read. I like to learn about the different life threatening diseases that these teens are suffering from so I can try to be more empathetic to people who suffer from them in real life.
In this book, Kara has Cystic Fibrosis which is a disease that effects her bodies ability to function properly. She has constant lung issues and the smallest sicknesses can put her in the hospital for weeks. In this book we got to watch Kara fight her final battle with the disease. As her health decreased she found herself falling in love with Eric and wanting nothing more than to enjoy the company of her best friends and family during her final days.
She received an anonymous gift of $100,000 to have her "one last wish"
July 12, 2016
The thing I always enjoy about Lurlene McDaniel's books is that she does a fabulous job of portraying not just the trials and difficulties of someone who has a major illness, but the difficulties the family and loved ones go through as well. She really dives into the heart of the matter in a way that lets you truly understand the difficulties one with a major illness can face (at least, as much as anyone can without experiencing it themselves), and I think that is a valuable thing to be able to do. This story, "A Time to Die," is no different.
I don't tend to get very critical of Lurlene McDaniel's books because they are written with a very specific purpose in mind, which is clear from the story, and I think they accomplish that purpose. They aren't perfect, but they are enjoyable (in a make you cry kind of way) and accomplish what the author sets out to do.
I don't tend to get very critical of Lurlene McDaniel's books because they are written with a very specific purpose in mind, which is clear from the story, and I think they accomplish that purpose. They aren't perfect, but they are enjoyable (in a make you cry kind of way) and accomplish what the author sets out to do.
May 17, 2011
I gave this book 5 stars because I really enjoyed reading this book. No matter where I was I wanted to read it. We were out of town and supposed to have family time but instead I was reading. The main character is Katie O’Roark and she goes to a camp with her friends in the summer and she finds out that she gets to be a councilor so it’s hard because she still has feelings for him. His names Josh and he just wants to have the best summer ever and so does Katie. I encourage more people to read her books they are so good and entertaining.
October 11, 2009
8th Grade Top Pick by: Jamika
It was a great book because its about a 16 year old girl who has cystic fibrosis and feel like “why me” and she only has her close friends Vince, who has it too, Flyse, and Eric (he love). While she’s in the hospital, she received a check for a lot of money and when she dies she gives it to her friends for stuff they need. It’s really sad. It makes you not take anything for granted.
It was a great book because its about a 16 year old girl who has cystic fibrosis and feel like “why me” and she only has her close friends Vince, who has it too, Flyse, and Eric (he love). While she’s in the hospital, she received a check for a lot of money and when she dies she gives it to her friends for stuff they need. It’s really sad. It makes you not take anything for granted.
December 27, 2014
I probably would have liked this better back when I was into paperbacks like this. The main character has cystic fibrosis, and while it was refreshing to see a character from this POV, it was also pretty depressing. The book had a nice sentiment, but really didn't make me feel nearly as sad as I imagined I would be. Probably won't be checking out anymore in the series, as these type of books are no longer my thing.
September 26, 2012
I never read Lurlene McDaniel as a kid, but a lot of my friends were pretty obsessed with her. I found this book to be a bit melodramatic, and the dialogue was clunky at times, but I can definitely understand why young adults like McDaniel’s books so much. This one is a tear-jerker (I’m pretty sure they all are). I also thought it was really interesting to learn more about cystic fibrosis. If you’re into sad realistic fiction, I’d say this is the book for you.
November 26, 2016
A Time to Die is about a girl, Kara, who has Cystic Fibrosis. It was interesting learning a bit about that disease, since I didn't know much about it. My favorite characters were Christy and Vince, I love how they were such good friends and always there for Kara. The ending was sad, but good. If you enjoy contemporary realistic YA fiction you should enjoy this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews