Jenny Downham writes young adult and adult fiction about illness, family, sexuality, grief and the ways difficult experiences alter relationships. Before I Die follows sixteen-year-old Tessa, who has leukaemia and creates a list of things she wants to experience before her illness progresses further. The novel stays close to her anger, desire, family tensions and refusal to be reduced to an inspirational figure. You Against Me centres on two families after an accusation of sexual assault, focusing on loyalty, doubt and the pressure placed on siblings. Unbecoming spans three generations of women and connects memory loss with family secrets and changing ideas about identity and sexuality. Downham's books are character-led and emotionally direct, with serious subjects handled through everyday behaviour rather than melodrama. They fit contemporary YA, family fiction and issue-based coming-of-age stories. Before I Die is the clearest starting point, while Unbecoming offers a broader multigenerational structure. Read more Less
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