“Dawn Rochelle sits in the doctor’s office, clutching her mother’s hand. They can’t believe the diagnosis. Dawn is only thirteen years old, and she has leukemia.”

These were the first words that got me absolutely hooked onto Lurlene McDaniel. “Six Months to Live” was published on Aug. 1, 1995.

Since third grade, when I picked this book up out of the free book bin, I haven’t been able to get over how truly amazing the story from McDaniel. Even as a third grader I was instantly pulled into the life of Rochelle. All the crazy twists and turns she endured throughout her fight with cancer made you want to keep reading.

Throughout the book, she meets some amazing people and creates some deep bonds that she will hold onto for the rest of her life. This disease that she suddenly is forced to deal with opens her eyes, and makes her realize that the things she formerly thought were important were insignificant in the novel of life.

For any of you that enjoy reading about struggle and survival, I would 100 percent recommend this book to you. It will open your eyes to things you never would’ve glanced at before. No matter if you are a third grader, like I was, or a senior preparing to move on out into the world, I believe you will fall in love with this inspiring novella just as I did.

19kpotter@usd489.com