A Time for Dancing by Davida Wills Hurwin
Samantha and Julie aren’t just best friends; they’re soul mates. They’ve been having sleepovers and dancing ballet together since they were little. So when Julie gets cancer, it feels like it’s happening to Samantha, too. Told in alternating chapters from both friends’ point of view, this book not only provides a frighteningly real picture of what it is like to watch your best friend go through hell, but also what it is like to experience first-hand through Julie’s eyes the stages of loss–fear, denial, hope and finally painful acceptance that life may be ending just as it is supposed to be beginning. This is a step up from Lurlene McDaniel’s soapy series books about terminally ill teens. This is a story with such real characters and feelings that it almost feels like you’re losing Julie, too–just when you’re starting to get to know and love her. (4 weepies)
Laura said,
November 15, 2007 @ 5:12 pm
Yes! I read this when I was in high school and cried and cried and cried. Great pick!
Casey said,
January 19, 2008 @ 2:29 am
I stayed up till 4 in the morning reading this book [on a school night!], and I cried so much at the end. It is a really touching book!
Alli said,
April 5, 2008 @ 8:40 pm
I read this book recently and it was a big tear-jerker. Just wanted to say that I just discovered your blog here and I’m so excited by all the great books I now have the read! The hard part is deciding which one first.
Jen Hubert said,
April 7, 2008 @ 6:57 pm
Yah, Alli! Stick around and read some more, I’d love to hear what you think!
Lara said,
May 29, 2008 @ 10:41 pm
I love love love this book to death! its one of my favorite books, even though ive read it like 20 times, and also, the sequal isnt as good
Jen Hubert said,
May 30, 2008 @ 4:25 am
I agree, Lara, the sequel was a disappointment–maybe the author waited too long to write it, but wasn’t nearly as affecting as the first book.
Samantha said,
June 28, 2008 @ 10:40 am
What is the name of the sequel? Cause I stayed up till 3 reading it and I never crie but at the end for the first time for a book or a movie I cried for 10 minutes straight.