BEFORE I DIE by Jenny Downham

Before I Die is about a girl named Tessa and she has leukemia. Tessa makes a list of the things she wants to do the most in the world before she dies, things such as, doing something criminal, travel to another country, etc. As she gets closer to her death she falls in love with a boy who loves her just as much back. Days and weeks go by and Tessa just wants to spend time with her family and her boyfriend before she dies. When she finally nears her end she realizes that she has had a good life and she has to accept that she's going to die. Of course Tessa doesn't want to die, she wants to live life and be with her one true love after going back to the right path, but she has to accept her fate. So, Tessa accepts her fate and wants everyone to get along with life without her but to keep her in their memories.

Death is a part of life, it's a constant cycle that no one can stop but that one has to accept. If people lived constantly in fear of death they wouldn't be able to enjoy what life has to offer. If a loved one of yours was about to die wouldn't you want to give him or her the best time of his or hers life before they died? Never let your loved one die with regrets and say what you can before they leave, or else you will regret it.

Before I Die teaches about people with leukemia and how they have to accept death. The book shows that people have to become happy before they can truly move on, to live life with no regrets before they leave. It just goes to show that everyone should do what they have always wanted to do in life before they leave.

Recommended for grades 9-12.


JN in Howland