When we hear the word "cancer", it's a word that frightens many of us because cancer can just appear like that to any individual. In Garden of Angels by Lurlene McDaniel the small hometown of Conners, Georgia. Darcy's Quinlin's world is changed forever when her mother goes to the hospital in Atlanta for some harmless tests. Her diagnosis is breast cancer. Between many tests and treatments of chemotherapy, and learning to grow up, Garden of Angels will be a book that you will never want to put down.
In Garden of Angels, Darcy doesn't comprehend why her loving, caring, and nurturing mother has to suffer with breast cancer. Lurlene McDaniel brings inspiration to this book by helping kids to understand to never give up because you can't choose what life "dishes out" to you. Lurlene also brings out realistic events through Darcy so kids that have a parent with breast cancer can learn and understand more about it. Hopefulness is expressed in this book by Darcy keeping her mother's gardens alive so that one day when her mother fully recovers, she can plant and enjoy her gardens once again. Lurlene McDaniel really expresses real children's feelings about having a parent with breast cancer through her character, Darcy.
Lurlene McDaniel, the author of Garden of Angels has written over thirty highly praised novels. Over twenty-five years ago, after her three-year-old son was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, Lurlene had stated "I saw firsthand how chronic illness affects every aspect of a persons life." "I want kids to know that while people don't choose what life gives to them, they do get to choose how they respond". Lurlene McDaniel currently lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she is working on her next inspiring novel. Darcy Quinlin, the main character in the book, Garden of Angels is frightened by her mother's cancer. But in the end Darcy discovers that "We are all connected by love and hope for the future, there is no end.