Before I Die

Description

Review "Before I Die is so real, so sad, so true - and I so wish I'd written it myself" (Jacqueline Wilson)"Novels for young teenagers do not usually feature drugs and casual sex within the first 20-odd pages. But most books for teenagers will not leave an adult reader's eyes so blurry with tears that it's hard to see the final chapters. Jenny Downham's extraordinary first novel does both" (The Sunday Times)"Tough but tender, angry rather than resigned, Tessa is an appealing heroine whose company is never less than bracing" (Nicholas Tucker Independent)"This is an affecting and brave novel. Tessa is such a rich character . . . For everyone, it is a reminder to value the people that matter, seize the moment, wish with courage, adventure with relish, even if it's just a trip to the swimming pool, drinking hot chocolate or driving down a dual carriageway in the rain" (Guardian)"Destined to drive hundreds of thousands of readers to tears and to swift injunctions to all their friends to read it" (Observer) Book Description A new edition of this best-selling book reissued alongside five other great titles from David Fickling Books. About the Author Jenny Downham was an actress for many years before concentrating on her writing full-time. She lives in London with her two sons.Her debut novel Before I Die was critically acclaimed and was shortlisted for the 2007 Guardian Award and the 2008 Lancashire Children's Book of the Year, nominated for the 2008 Carnegie Medal and the 2008 Booktrust Teenage Prize, and won the 2008 Branford Boase Award.