Before I Die
School year: Lower 6th, Year 10, Year 11
No. of pages 336
Published: 2015
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This book is the winner of numerous awards
This book features in the following series: Thorndike Literacy Bridge, Thorndike Literacy Bridge Young Adult .
This book has been graded for interest at 12-17 years.
There are 336 pages in this book.
It is aimed at Young Adult readers. The term Young Adult (YA) is used for books which have the following characteristics: (1) aimed at ages 12-18 years, US grades 7-12, UK school years 8-15, (2) around 50-75k words long, (3) main character is aged 12-18 years, (4) topics include self-reflection, internal conflict vs external, analyzing life and its meaning, (5) point of view is often in the first person, and (6) swearing, violence, romance and sexuality are allowed.
This book was published in 2015 by Penguin Random House Children's UK .
Jenny Downham was an actress for many years before concentrating on her writing full-time. She lives in London with her two sons.
Branford Boase Award
Death And Dying in literature
Relationships in literature
Dating And Relationships in literature
Dating And Sex in literature
Coming Of Age in literature
Guardian Children's Fiction Prize
This book is in the following series:
This book has been nominated for the following awards:
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Ages 14+
This book was recognised in the Ages 14+ category by the Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens.
Branford Boase Award
The Branford Boase Award is a prestigious literary award in the United Kingdom that celebrates outstanding debut children's novels. Established in 2000, the award honours the memory of Branford Boase, a children's book publisher, and aims to recognize new authors who demonstrate exceptional storytelling skills and originality in their first published work. The award is aimed at children's literature, specifically focusing on works for readers aged 8 to 12 years. A panel of judges reviews submissions to create a shortlist of nominated titles. There is no public voting process.
Inky Award - Silver Inky
This book was recognised in the Silver Inky category by the Inky Award.
Guardian Fiction Award
This book was recognised by the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize Award. This award was founded in 1967 and winners are selected by fellow writers. It is awarded annually to fiction written for children aged eight and above.
Tayshas Reading
This book was recognised by the Tayshas Reading.
Listen Up
This book was recognised by the Listen up.
"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 *
"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 *
"Before I Die is so real, so sad, so true - and I so wish I'd written it myself" * Jacqueline Wilson *
"Tough but tender, angry rather than resigned, Tessa is an appealing heroine whose company is never less than bracing" * Independent *
