Before I Die

Title: Before I Die
Author: Jenny Downham
Publishing Info:  Sept. 2007
ISBN: 0385613466
Pages: 326
Price: $18.99
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: 6th grade
Interest Level: 10th grade and up
Awards: AlA's Teen's Top Ten (2008), ALA's Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults(2008)
Plot Summary:Tessa is dying from leukemia and is given only months to live. So Tessa decides to make a "Before I Die" list with the help of her friend Zoey. The list includes some risky behavior and the number one thing on Tessa's list is to have sex. Tessa's parents are not too thrilled with Tessa's new quest to engage is what they see has negative and risky behavior. Tessa starts a new romance with her neighbor Adam and seems to be living life before it ends. But as Tessa's health starts to deteriorate her list becomes harder to fulfill and the importance of it comes into question as other things become more important.
Critical Review: Jenny Downham gives an honest look at a teenager dying. Because Tessa knows she is going to die she is able to show the emotions that come with facing your death at a young age. Tessa's anger comes across as a real emotion and the book doesn't seem contrived or overly sappy. The idea of Tessa creating a bucket list really helps drive the story and reflects what is important to Tessa. Risk taking and many of the things on Tessa's list are considered rights of passage for many teens and the story shows how much Tessa wants to experience all these things despite the consequences. As Tessa's health really starts to fail you start to struggle with the idea that you will loose Tessa. Even though the book doesn't hid the fact that the main character is facing death it is still emotional when the time comes. It is an ending that has you crying and leaves you emotional after it is over.
Reader's Annotation: Tessa's battle with cancer is ending with the news that she only has months to live. Tessa decides that she must live life in the short amount of time she has left and she compiles a "Before I Die' list. Though, her list is full of risky behaviors and as her health fails will Tessa be able to finish her list or will somethings be left undone.
Book Talk Ideas: The book talk could center around Tessa's obsession with marking things off her bucket list despite some of those things not being the best thing for Tessa.
Issues: The book deals with Tessa engaging in risk taking behaviors including drinking, drugs and sex.
Main themes: Cancer, death, sexuality, friendship, family
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: The story will help teens deal with death and loss. It gives a very honesty look at a dying teen and her emotions. The idea of death at such a young age can be very difficult and many books may not have the honesty that Downham delivers in her story.
Read alikes: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Author Website: http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/authors/jenny-downham
Professional Reviews: Publisher's Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
Why Include this book? The book deals with themes of death, family relationships, sickness and dealing with loss.