Chris Crutcher: Deadline

 Crutcher, C. (2007). Deadline. New York: Greenwillow Books.

 Ben Wolf is a senior in high school.  He learns that he has a terminal blood disorder that will take his life within the next year if he does not take drastic treatments.  He decides to forego treatment and live his last year of life to the fullest.  After all, he always knew he would die young.  He decides to keep his diagnosis to himself, even though his doctor advised otherwise.  As part of his handling of the situation, he has "conversations" with Hey-soos, a person who talks to him in his dreams and walks with him through his journey.  Ben tries out and make the varsity football team, along with his brother.  Together, they are a forced to reckoned with on the field.  Ben falls in love with a girl named Dallas, who has a secret of her own.....her "little brother" is actually her son.  She was raped by her uncle when she was 13 and became pregnant.  Ben makes it is mission to help Rudy, the town drunk clean up his act.  He tries his best with Rudy, but is unable to save him.   Ben takes on a huge project at school, one that his teacher does not approve of:  getting a street named Malcolm X in their town.  By the end of the story, Ben tells everyone he is dying and that he is sorry he kept it to himself.   He does not live till graduation.  His brother and Dallas end up getting scholarships to the same college and bond with each other through the remembrance of Ben.  

Though the theme of death is prominent in this story, it keeps readers on their toes, wanting to read more.  This character shows more maturity than most 18 year olds.  The life lessons teach the character how to go gracefully and make peace with his death.  Readers are left wondering if there is something more spiritual with Hey-Soos and when Ben will see him again.

Learn more about Chris Crutcher.