Helpful Score: 1
This, this right here, if why I read YA. I like the fluff at times but this is the essence of YA for me.
I'm astounded by this book still. I'm not a cryer, I hardly ever cry when I'm reading a book or watching a movie. I don't cry when Bambi's mother dies, I don't cry when DiCaprio floats down to the bottom of the ocean, it's just not me. But when I read Tess's "instructions" nearing the end of the book I bawled like a baby. I don't think it's possible to not imagine. And as a parent, I imagined myself in Tess's fathers place, not me in Tess's place. And that, my friends, is even harder I think.
Downham did an outstanding job here and I'm praying when I click on her name I see others by her.
Tess is very relatable - teens will feel this even though she's dying and they may be healthy as a horse. Teens outside of the U.K. may have a bit of trouble relating to certain parts because of the speech used, 'loo', 'fags', etc. but I worked through that easily. I'm not much for U.K. slang but it wouldn't have been the same book without it.
Zoey. What to say about Zoey. I don't like Zoey. I hesitate to use the word hate - mostly because of the love Tess has for her I think. But I strongly dislike her and I hope my daughter doesn't ever have the misfortune of having a "friend" like her. Adam is awesome - awesome, awesome character. Loved his reservations and fears. I think I'd have liked to have seen that aspect touched on a little more but that's a slight grievance.
Tess's parents work with the story and I love that her father is the main parent player instead of the mother. I could keep going. I could pull piece after piece after piece of what I liked out.
If you like YA and you like touching stories this is for you. And this isn't like some books - this can definitely be read by people who cry easily. Don't stay away because of the topic - you'll be missing out.
I'm astounded by this book still. I'm not a cryer, I hardly ever cry when I'm reading a book or watching a movie. I don't cry when Bambi's mother dies, I don't cry when DiCaprio floats down to the bottom of the ocean, it's just not me. But when I read Tess's "instructions" nearing the end of the book I bawled like a baby. I don't think it's possible to not imagine. And as a parent, I imagined myself in Tess's fathers place, not me in Tess's place. And that, my friends, is even harder I think.
Downham did an outstanding job here and I'm praying when I click on her name I see others by her.
Tess is very relatable - teens will feel this even though she's dying and they may be healthy as a horse. Teens outside of the U.K. may have a bit of trouble relating to certain parts because of the speech used, 'loo', 'fags', etc. but I worked through that easily. I'm not much for U.K. slang but it wouldn't have been the same book without it.
Zoey. What to say about Zoey. I don't like Zoey. I hesitate to use the word hate - mostly because of the love Tess has for her I think. But I strongly dislike her and I hope my daughter doesn't ever have the misfortune of having a "friend" like her. Adam is awesome - awesome, awesome character. Loved his reservations and fears. I think I'd have liked to have seen that aspect touched on a little more but that's a slight grievance.
Tess's parents work with the story and I love that her father is the main parent player instead of the mother. I could keep going. I could pull piece after piece after piece of what I liked out.
If you like YA and you like touching stories this is for you. And this isn't like some books - this can definitely be read by people who cry easily. Don't stay away because of the topic - you'll be missing out.
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