Book: Deadline
Author: Chris Crutcher
Publisher: Harper collins
Reviewed by: Kat (Age 22)
Amazon.com Price: $4.97
Purchase: Here

How can a pint-sized, smart-ass eighteen-year-old make his mark on the world from Nowheresville, Idaho – especially when he only has one year left to do it? When Ben Wolf learns his senior year of his school will be his last year, period, he is determined to go out in a blaze of glory.
That means not letting anyone know about his diagnosis. It means trying out for the football team. It means giving his close-minded civics teacher a daily migraine. It means going for the amazingly perfect fascinating Dallas Suzuki.
But living with a secret isn’t easy... What will Ben do when he realizes he isn’t the only person who’s keeping one?

Deadline is one of a number of books released in recent years that centre on a young teen dealing with impending death. However the book is anything but a rehashing of the same themes. It’s a surprising and interesting read and not what I expected. Ben is a fascinating lead character who embraces his final year to the full, setting goals that should be impossible. His journey leads to some surprising discoveries about the people around him and some fascinating conversations. The character has a number of beliefs I don’t personally believe in and the world is painted in a pretty uncompromising black and white but it’s our differences that make us interesting and I’m sure any reader would take away their own beliefs and interpretations of things that are covered in the novel.

All in all ‘Deadline’ is a pretty good read. It will probably appeal to teenage males more than females, especially with its football heavy first half.

Advisory This novel features offensive language and deals with abuse. Not suitable for younger readers.