Before I Die (Paperback)

Tessa is only 16, and dying of leukaemia, but despite this, she's determined to make the most of the time she has left. Realising that she won't be able to do all of the things that normal girls do, she makes a list of ten things she wants to do before she dies. Tessa really wants a relationship with someone and when the boy next door says he loves her, her hope in life is sparked. But when the hospital tells her she is getting closer to death, all of Tessa's hope vanishes and she starts to question his love. It is only when it is too late that she realises he loves her more than words could say. This book is so sad. It made me rethink life for a bit. It made me appreciate what I have more and made me feel part of the book.

"Tessa is one of those characters that I would love to have as a close friend"

This book is about 16-year-old Tessa, suffering from cancer and running out of time fast, she writes a list of 10 things she wants to do before she dies.

This gripping story will have you in tears by the time you're done. The way Tessa is portrayed makes her seem so believable, like she really exists. She wants to do things that most other teenagers think about doing, she just has less time to do them. Jenny Downham shows understanding of teenage emotions and feelings which definately makes the story more effective. Tessa is one of those characters that I would love to have as a close friend. During the story I grew to love her rash decisions and wild ways which made the ending even more sorrowful. I would definitely recommend this book to other readers.