SHEILA'S DYING

by Alden R. Carter ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 11, 1987

Some sensitive moments highlight this bland tale of chirpy teen-ager Sheila's fatal battle against cancer, and the unlikely partnership in deathbed loyalty of her good-guy, jock boyfriend Jerry and her brainy, misanthrophic ""best friend"" Bonnie. When aspiring high-school actress Sheila, a riotously funny, rather empty-headed bon vivant, falls prey to her fatal illness, her sturdy basketball-star beau shelves his previous intention to ""split up"" with her, and dedicates himself to seeing her through ""to the end""--despite the fact that he doesn't really love her--and forms an uncomfortable alliance with Bonnie, his high-school committee nemesis whom he nicknames ""the Tiger"" for her taunting mockery. Already a hospital volunteer, she also pledges time and caring in her friend's decline; and Bonnie and Jerry try to suspend their hostility, alternating hospital visits, cleaning the girl's home, and looking after her incompetent drunk grand. mother. Gradually appreciating Jerry's gentle kindness, the Tiger's prejudice evolves into love and, though surprised by her confession of her feelings, Jerry responds and the two end up together after Sheila's death. Sheila's empty-headed vivacity, Jerry's plodding goodness, and the Tiger's unprovoked hostility are all unconvincing, the result of standard characterization and plot line and unexceptional dialogue. Some tender moments between a briefly vulnerable Bonnie and a saddened Jerry, bonded in their grief, offer relief from the monotonous wait during Sheila's dying and from the predictability of the budding new love in this routine YA offering.

Pub Date: May 11, 1987

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 208

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1987

Categories: CHILDREN'S