The List Goes On

Outside Reading Blog #8

Before I Die

By:Jenny Downham

As Tessa goes on with her list, she begins to face many problems, such as the fact that many things on the list are going to be very hard to accomplish. While her dad picks up the apple and holds it up to the morning. There are swirls of cream and brown in there that look like the core of a real apple; an impression on pips, blown in by the glassmaker. He spins it slowly in his hand. I've looked at the world through that green glass many times- it looks small and calm. I don't think he should be touching my things though. I think he should be dealing with Cal, who's upstairs yelling up about the aerial coming out of the back of the TV. I also think he should go down and tell Mum that the only reason he's asked her round is because he wants her back. Getting involved in matters of discipline goes against all her principals, so he's hardly looking for advice in that area. He puts down the apple and goes to the bookshelf, runs a finger around the spine of my books, like they're piano keys and he's expecting a tune. He twists his head to look up at the CD rack, picks one out, reads the cover, then puts it back. I really evaluate the way Tessa's dad is invading her space as something that she can't help and something that she has put on her list- to finally stand up for herself.