Review Detail

How far can bullying go until the victim can't take it anymore? Bullycide is when a victim uses suicide as an escape. More and more you read about people who do this. By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead, is the tale of one such victim.


Daelyn has tried numerous times to kill herself. The latest attempt has damaged her esophagus. She wears a neck brace to help with the physical healing. Nothing, she feels, will heal the emotional scarring of years of bullying. Later she comes across an on-line site www.thorough-the-light.com that's for 'completers' or those who plan to kill themselves.


Once on the site, Daelyn blogs about her life, revealing bullying that goes back to kindergarten. She gives herself a date to complete her next suicide attempt. In the meantime, Santana shows up at the bench after school, showing interest. Daelyn tries to avoid him but to no avail. Also someone else at school tries to friend her. Is it too late to trust again? Or will this next attempt be the one that has her go through the light?


This is one intense tale of a teen who's had it with bullying. Her answer is to kill herself. Some books that deal with suicide victims portray characters that aren't that likeable and selfish. Not so with this novel. I felt for Daelyn and wished someone had shown some kindness and understanding to her earlier in her life. As a former elementary school teacher, I've seen bullying on playgrounds and how mean words never leave you. Also I had a case of this happening to my own son this year. I saw first hand how some administrators don't want to be involved and try to avoid the issue. I ended up taking my son out of that school. Too bad someone didn't stick up for Daelyn.


I guarantee this book will haunt you. The graphic memories of bullying are terrifying. I liked how the author showed Santana's own battle with death. Instead he's dying of cancer while Daelyn wants to kill herself. I recommend this book as a must read. Also I feel it would make a great book club book. At the end of the book is a discussion guide and resource list.

Daelyn's tale will stay with you long after you finish the last page.