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Before I Die by Jenny Downham
David Fickling Books, 2007
  Publisher recommended age 14 and up.


Summary

Before I Die is the story of Tessa, a 16-year-old British girl dying of leukemia.  Tessa decides there are many things she wants to do before she dies and the book's chapters detail her list (see below). 

Language

  • British cursing includes "bloody", "arse" and "bugger".
  • "Sh*t" and "p*ss off" appear.
  • There is one reference to "the f-word". 

Sexual Situations

  • The first thing on Tessa's list is to have sex.  She accomplishes this with a total stranger.
  • Later Tessa has sex with her boyfriend.
  • Boys ogle Tessa and her friend.
  • Tessa's friend gets pregnant and considers an abortion.

Violence

  • none

Drugs/Alcohol

  • Characters smoke tobacco and drink beer throughout the book.
  • Tessa and her friend smoke marijuana and use mushrooms.

Race Issues

  • none

Religion

  • Tessa's friend suggests that everyone should believe in God, but Tessa responds that she thinks he is dead.
  • Though death is the prominent theme, there is no mention of an after-life.

Politics

  • none

Extra Notes

Tessa's list:

1. have sex

2. say "yes" to everything for one day

3. experiment with drugs

4. break as many laws as possible in one day

5. drive illegally

6. become famous

7. get parents back together

8. fall in love

9. boyfriend move in

10. live long enough to see friend's baby

11. have a cup of tea (during end of illness)

12. write instructions regarding her funeral and parents' grieving

13. care for brother

14. hear a good joke

 

 

 

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