Fifteen year old Tessa is dying of cancer and makes a list of things she wants to experience before her death. It is not the typical list one might expect for someone in her situation, with sex, crime and drugs taking the top spots on her list; however, there are also beautiful goals such as falling in love, as well as wishes for her parents, brother and best friend. Humor, sadness, and other strong emotions work together to bring Tessa's story to life, taking the reader on a wild ride through it all.

The book is listed as teen fiction, though I'd hesitate to place this label on it. Though the main character is a teenager, the book is much more than that. It is an expression of making the most of one's life despite circumstances, and as an adult reader, Tessa's story touched me and made a profound impact...something that many "adult" books cannot do.

The author used first person narrative to create a very realistic character. Tessa's world unfolds vividly in the reader's mind through strong dialogue and fast-paced action.

A wide range of emotions gripped my heart while reading this book. I laughed with Tessa, cried with her (and her family), as well as felt her anger and frustration. It made me appreciate my life even more after completing this novel.

I recommend this book for any reader who loves to be pulled instantly into a character's world. You will be gripped from the first page, and long after you've read the final page Tessa's story will stay with you. It is a haunting, yet beautiful story of life and love.

I'd like to add that though this novel is Teen Fiction, not all teenagers may be able to handle the emotional aspects of Tessa's story. My fifteen year old daughter began reading it but closed the book about halfway through. There are many conversations between Tessa and her nurse/doctor, and the realistic portrayal of death bothered my daughter deeply. So this is something to consider if you or your teen are sensitive to the topic of this book.

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Created May 15, 2008 at 8:31am • Submit your own review...