Book Review: By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: January 5, 1010
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Pages: 224
Received From: Publisher

Summary: Daelyn Rice is broken beyond repair, and after a string of botched suicide attempts, she's determined to get her death right. She starts visiting a website for "completers"- www.through-the-light .com. While she's on the site, Daelyn blogs about her life, uncovering a history of bullying that goes back to kindergarten. When she's not on the Web, Daelyn's at her private school, where she's known as the freak who doesn't talk. Then, a boy named Santana begins to sit with her after school while she's waiting to for her parents to pick her up. Even though she's made it clear that she wants to be left alone, Santana won't give up. And it's too late for Daelyn to be letting people into her life, isn't it?

My Review: By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead is heart-wrenching, edgy and has a truthful outlook on the causes of bullying. Julie Anne Peters has truly captured the voice of all kids and teens who struggle with bullying on a daily basis. I was quickly connected with Daelyn because she was an easy character to understand. Her whole life has been based on cruel bullying from her classmates and even people who were supposed to help her. After several failed attempts of suicide, she seeks help from a website for people who will complete their journey to the "light." Each chapter starts with the remaining time of days she has left to end her existence. I was at the edge of my seat anticipating what Daelyn's next move was going to be. My favorite part of the book is when she encounters Santana, he was a fresh breath of air. He was such an inspirational character yet funny and sarcastic as well. Overall, this book touched me in so many ways, bullying and suicide are serious matters and Julie's book just might inspire others dealing with these issues.

My Rating: 5 out of 5
Author's Info:


National Book Award finalist Julie Anne Peters is the author of Rage:A Love Story. She has written many more books for Older Readers and also writes for Middle Readers as well. Julie currently lives in Lakewood, Colorado with her partner Sherri.