Last Dance (Lurlene McDaniel Books)

Last Dance is about a 8th grade girl named Rachel Deering who wants to be a professional ballerina. However, Rachel hasn't been feeling the greatest. She's always tired, really thirsty and needs to go to the bathroom a lot. She even starts to smell like nail polish remover.Things take a turn for the worst when while at dance, Rachel faints and wakes up to find herself in a hospital and diagnosed with diabetes. Rachel has a hard time accepting/dealing that she now has diabetes and that her life has changed.But with the help of her family, Dr. Malar, her friend Jenny and a cute boy who also has diabetes named Shawn, Rachel learns to finally accept what her life is like with diabetes and also learns that even though she has diabetes she can still live her life the way she wants to. Meaning she still can be a professional ballerina even with her diabetes.OK so I liked this book. It was a quick read. I always love to read books that involve dancing just because it's something that I can relate to. But even though I enjoyed this book I found myself annoyed with two characters.Mostly I found myself annoyed with the heroine Rachel. I found her too whiny for my taste. I know Rachel is only an 8th grader so she's only 13(I think or around that age I don't remember how old she is) but even for a 13 year old I would have thought she'd act more grown up not behave like her 9 year old sister Chris.She's always fighting with her mom and her little sister which I can sympathize with. Moms and daughters don't always see eye to eye and siblings can be exasperating. Still even though I can sympathize Rachel still was too whiny.She whined about nearly everything or was defensive about it.Ex.) Mrs. Deering insists Rachel go to Dr. Stein a pediatrician since Rachel isn't feeling good but Rachel doesn't want to go because to her Dr. Stein is a baby doctor. Which is a lame excuse to me because if I were in Rachel's shoes I'd go to any doctor to find out why I wasn't feeling good.Rachel's mom also annoyed me. Yes, she does love Rachel and care for her well being but a few times she wasn't a very sympathetic mom and she kept saying everything will work out.Ex.) She forces Rachel to go to the dance recital to support her sister Chris and when Rachel tries to get out of it(by locking herself in her bedroom and yelling she won't go which isn't a very mature way to handle things) her mom tells her she will be going and then says it was Rachel who quit in the 1st place all because of a little barre work and no explanation that isn't very sympathetic for a mom.So yes I did enjoy reading this book but I found Rachel way too annoying and her mom annoying too.

I've read all of the fiction books that have type 1 diabetic main characters, which is why I bought this one. I used to read Lurlene McDaniel when I was in grade school, and I think that's who this is intended for. It's a decent story."Last Dance" was written several years ago, copyrighted in 1982. This story was written 30 years ago. Knowing this book was written so long ago from the beginning of reading this story, I expected to find a lot of out-dated information in there regarding diabetes treatment. And I did. But, I was expecting that, so I didn't mind reading the old beliefs. That's the incredible thing about science and technology- we are always finding better ways to treat sicknesses.What I was surprised to read about, however, were the facts about diabetes which I've NEVER seen included in a fiction book before. I've read at least 10 books with diabetic storylines, and they have not once mentioned a few things "Last Dance" mentioned. Which actually made me appreciate McDaniel's research. She either has personal experience, or she is very thorough.Extremely short book. I think it's the smallest size I've ever seen, with large font, and 148 pages. I was shocked. The storyline was cute. A bit predictable. It was a decent book for young readers.

Oh my goodness I love this book so much and i love any book that has to do with the main character that's has type 1 diabetes those are my favorite books I love that this has no swear words or sex in it i read alot of books but only have three that have to do with type 1 diabetes which is very special too me cause of my family having it and I love learning more about it and understand what my family goes thru.

I don't think I have ever given anything but 5stars for this author. This is about a girl with diabetic she find out and wants to be a dancer .

Very cute

I have almost all of her books.

Have you EVER wanted to be a ballerina SO BAD. and then discovered you have an illness that will make you rethink everything? that's kind of the deal with this Amazingly well written book 5 stars all the way... :)

Great book for any girl who likes a good ending and the love of medical knowledge. Two thumbs held up.

i just bought this for the craic. it has been lying around the house unread. starting to look annoying now. it might end up in a booksale if it doesnt stop showing its face

unbelievable,she is the best writer I have ever read.her stories are so real.iwish I could get more.so much heart put into them.