FlumeAward – Before I Die This is a book of real emotions: denial, depression, longing, joy, love. It is a book that will not be appreciated by boys – way too touchy-feely. The sex passages are very tasefully done, with just the right mix of emotions from both Tess and Adam. Definitely for the older end of our target range. I thought the parents and the brother were also sensitively depicted. At the end I appreciated the visual gaps in the text as Tess’s life gradually slips away. This is not a morbid book. I agree with the comparison to Deadline, but don’t think it will have the same universal appeal.
Sally Nelson – Leach Library, Londonderry
I read this book and enjoyed while I read it, but it is, in my opinion, completely forgettable. It is just good chick lit and nothing more. I don’t feel this is worthy of the list.
~Kathy Watson, Kimball Library
Before I Die is a fantastic story of a 16 yr old girl’s struggle with cancer. I read this book awhile ago when it first came out so the details are a little fuzzy. She struggles to accept all the things she will never be able to do, and tries to decide what it is she wants to be sure to do before she dies.
She struggles with the question of whether she has the right to fall in love when she knows it means she will hurt someone. Does she make the most of all the relationships she can or should she push them all away to spare them and herself the pain?
Great book for anyone to help appreciate life. Also great for anyone who has friends or relatives with cancer. Helps you understand what they are going through. (Reminds me of a teenage version of the Bucket List if you need an easy reference)
Jennifer Wood – Wilton Public & Gregg Free Library
This was a Teen Top Ten for 2008 and the book is still popular. It can be paired with Crutcher’s Deadline nicely. Isn’t the book too old for this list?
– Kelly Budd, KHS
I read this ages ago, but Before I Die was fascinating, and, yes, depressing. It was interesting to see how realistic some things were, such as her parents giving in to her b/c she was dying and they didn’t want to deny her. Also enjoyed how one of her goals was to have sex, and, as she went out and did it just to do it, she discovered that it wasn’t all that great until she found someone she loved. I’m not sure it would appeal to guys, but the drama just sucks in the reader. Kirsten Rundquist Corbett, Lane Memorial Library, Hampton, NH