Young Adult
Pages: 416
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
release Date: September 1, 2009
Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.
Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.
I so glad I read this! It's a moving story about a school shooting. I wish every single High School student would read this and learn from it. And no only students, but also teachers, principals and staff. What an incredible book! An astonishing debut novel, that will keep you trapped in the story and so absolutely helpless to change the facts. If only we could know and prevent things like school shootings, the world would be a better place. But it's not, that's the point.
It's incredible how the story seems so real, so vivid. I am mesmerized at how she pulls it off. Every character is beyond amazing, specially Valerie's and Nick. She manages to make the reader, against all odds, fall in love with Nick, feel the pain and understand, leaving us breathless. The plot I wouldn't say it's fast-paced because it takes time to digest things that are happening. Sometimes,I had to stop reading and just think. The cover is wonderful, for this book it must have been dificult to come up with a cover. This is a must-read for everyone!
Sounds like a perfect fit for the right audience. It WOULD be great if these types of events could be stopped in their tracks long before they even reach a planning stage, but we have to stop the cause behind the feelings they feel need to be expressed in this way first....and that is a whole other story. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewhat did you want to ssay please explane in summery...
ReplyDeleteThis book looks soo great, I cant wait to read it :)
ReplyDeleteVery well put! I have this sitting on my shelf and can't wait to read it. I love moving stories, especially those that I learn something from it. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I almost read this entire book in one night! I could not put it down and it had me in tears at the end. I cannot wait to read more from Jennifer
ReplyDeleteI finished Nineteen Minutes (by Jodi Picoult) and that was about a school shooting, too. I was thinking after I finished that book that I would like to read a YA book on a school shooting. I think this will be the one.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
yes, I think if she could have she would have by now she is going on 40 and has always expressed her love for children.
ReplyDeleteThis is absoltely one of the best books I read this year. I loved it from start to finish -- it was a wonderfully emotional and realistic read about such a tough subject. I'm glad you liked it as well.
ReplyDelete