Last Dance - Review by Chelsea Meeker

Last Dance

By Lurlene McDaniel

Reviewed by Chelsea Meeker

            Reading a book has never given me such inspiration to want to do more or to be happy with what I have in life. I have never felt the urge to get out and help others or appreciate what I have until after reading this book. I’ve personally never been inside of a dance room, but Lurlene McDaniels made me feel as if I was living the dream dancing until suddenly everything changed. The health issue of dancer Rachel Deering takes a toll on everyone around her in every unexpected way.

            Rachel has her hopes up high for becoming a professional dancer and she is the girl that makes me love this book. Shes always being active and makes it clear to what she is heading for in her near future. I am able to understand her feelings to an extent and understand the emotions that go along with her heartbreaking disaster. This helps me as a reader stay engaged because I know what I want in my future and so does Rachel.

            After dancing for her whole life and wanting to become this world class ballerina, Rachel is suddenly diagnosed with diabetes. Rachel’s entire life consisted of dancing, and she was soon taking it to the next level. She had just got invited to the regional auditions for the New York City Ballet Company when she was stricken with this news. For me, this instantly changed my understanding of the book. Looking at this girl, who wanted to become a professional dancer, having her dreams crushed by a disease, is quite emotional.

            The mom of Rachel is often mentioned but never referred to her as anyone but “Mom.” Her mom is taking this the hardest and is having a very difficult time understand how this could happen to her child. A girl as athletic and in such good shape as her should not be ill with a disease like that.  The fact that a girl so young was diagnosed with diabetes, changing her whole life, is hard even for a reader.

            Last Dance is filled with sad and emotional events that can happen in our everyday lives. These events are what keep the reader reading on and make the book so interesting.

The theme of this book would be to always be thankful with what you have in life and to never take anything for granted. Rachel never makes it clear how thankful she is but always puts herself in a real life situation. Last Dance seems like its a real story that took place. All of her books are fiction but actually based on true stories that could potentially occur.

            This book would be considered more of a drama type of book which is mainly to be read by girls. I highly recommend this to any girl that like reading books based on true stories. McDaniel’s books are all very sad but they are all very inspirational in their own way. When I pick up one of her books I usually can’t put it down unless I am forced to. The books are short, sweet, and simple, which make them easy to read. I suggest all of you girls start reading them!