Reviewed by Mrs. Foley
A terminally ill teenaged girl makes and carries out a list of things to do before she dies. - Book summary from library record

I read this book several years ago because it was popular among some students. The faculty book group read it for our November discussion and I honestly didn't remember that I had read it until someone was describing the story to me. So, I re-read it. After the discussion, I do like it more than I originally did, but I prefer Deadline by Crutcher. Although I do think that Before I Die is probably more realistic as to how a teenager who is dying might behave. The female protagonist has been dealing with a terminal disease since she was 12 (she is 16 in the book). It is a tear-jerker especially at the end where the author does a convincing job of letting you imagine what it is like to die. I think I related to the parent (father) in this book more than the daughter and that also made it hard to read.

Starred Review from Booklist:
Four years after being diagnosed with leukemia, British teenager Tessa, 16, knows she has almost no time left. "I want to live before I die," she says, rushing to pack in the things on her to-do list, including sex, drugs, breaking the law, driving, bringing her parents back together, and fame (sort of). On the list as well is being in love with her neighbor, Adam, with whom she has great sex, almost to the end. The details of the stages of grief (anger, denial, depression, etc.) sometimes go on too long, but each character is distinctive: Happy-go-lucky-friend Zoe, whom Tessa helps convince not to have an abortion; Tessa's father, so protective, he smothers her until he sees that Adam makes her happy; Adam, who will go off to college without her; little brother Cal, whom Tessa sublety teaches about courage, laughter, and love. The clear, beautiful prose brings out all the elemental emotions-especially Tessa's anger and frustration at being stuck in bed while others get on with their lives-and the passionate present-tense narrative will draw readers deeply into story and make them wonder, "What if it was me?" ( )

this book shows us a different way to see life. tessa is a normal girl.. with the typical problems in her family.. her mother abandoned her.. and her father left his work to take care of tessa.. tessa has leukemia for 4 years.. and now she knows she have no time left.. she will die in any moment.. but she doesnt want to die before even "live".. she make a list.. with 10 things to do before she pass away.. the first one .." sex " she doesnt want to die being a virgin.. another one.."Fall in love" or having a boyfriend.. she wants to know and feel love.. she is going to find that person in her short way through dead.. so there are many points to complete and that she is going to realize to die happy or at least complete.. but the dead is the worst fear that she is going to live.. with the support of her father and his friends she would have a great short lifetime. ( )

This book is really good. the main character is a teenager struggling with cancer whose death is coming entirely too soon. She decides to live her life to it's full potential by making a list of 10 things she wants to do before she dies. Her story is amazing, and her choices are shocking. The only question is will she finish her list?

Reviewed by Julie M. Prince for TeensReadToo.com

I devoured this book in two days. It called to me. Beckoned me across the room and begged me to pick it up and finish what I'd started. If I hadn't needed to eat and sleep, I'd have finished it in mere hours. It was that vital to keep going.

Tessa Scott keeps going, too. She keeps writing on the wall and adding to the list of things she wants to do before she dies. Tess's life is being driven from her by leukemia before she herself can even drive a car. It's not fair. She wants a boyfriend. She wants normal.

Tessa pushes. She pushes against the people who want to be near her. She pushes against the rules she's been forced to follow throughout her brief life. She pushes against death.

She keeps breathing. In and out. It's simple. Except, it's not that simple.

This book gives a promise. This book keeps its promise. This book is real. It is deep and winding and important. It is beautiful and strong and eloquent and everlasting. It is just beautiful. ( )

Very realistic voice. Involving story. ( )