Deadline

Bibliography:

Crutcher, C. (2007). Deadline. New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books, 316 pp.

Genre:

Fiction

Chris Crutcher’s novel Deadline follows Ben, a high school senior, through the last year of his life. Ben learns of his terminal illness through his cross-country physical and decides to decline treatment and keep his disease a secret.

In clichéd fashion, Ben decides to make the most of his last year living. In his 18-year-old world that includes playing football (instead of running cross country) and pursuing Dallas Suzuki. Ben also devotes himself to learning as much as possible, ostensibly for the sole purpose of giving his teachers a hard time. He eventually reveals his illness to those around him.

Ben seems to think of Dallas as his unattainable dream girl, but after what seems to be their first real discussion, they go to homecoming and end up sleeping together. Later we find out that Dallas is an incest victim and teen mother. After this quick shock, we learn that Rudy, the town’s alcoholic mechanic, is a former priest and child molester. Ben works with Rudy on his Malcolm X project and tries to help Rudy stay sober. Rudy eventually commits suicide. Crutcher must have included Ben’s time with Rudy to build understanding of the awful cycle of sexual abuse for young readers of this novel.

This book also addresses the lingering racism in Trout, Idaho, where the story is set. Ben attempts a social studies project to gather signatures to rename a street Malcolm X Avenue. He is unable to get anyone to sign his petition.

Sooner Cowans, a bully on the football team, is beaten by his father. Sooner’s father eventually breaks his collarbone, ending his football season. Sooner ends up dying before Ben in a car crash.

This depressing chain of events is intended to stir up emotions and lead readers to attempt to live more meaningful lives, but my reaction to the book was very flat. I was unimpressed with the way women were presented in this book. Ben’s inept therapist Marla resigns because she can’t handle the sadness he causes her. And Ben’s mentally ill mother cannot manage the ups and downs of her life. She is his main reason for not sharing his fatal diagnosis with his family. He was worried that he would have to spend his last year alive attempting to help her deal with the trauma.

While I did not enjoy reading this book, I believe adolescents will, particularly boys. They will appreciate the sports references and high school social setting. They will also be comfortable with Crutcher’s choice to just brush the surface of these intense topics. I recommend this book for ages 14 and up for the following purposes: read aloud, individual choice, or small group.