Scan barcode
libbytx's review against another edition
4.0
Overall, a great book filled with terrifying plot twists and revelations.
shinesalot's review against another edition
3.0
When Sebastian was 4 he shot his 4 month old baby sister and lives in the shadow of this horrific event. The story opens at the end of Sebastian's freshman year of high school and his mother has charged him with the task of having a "productive" summer. He resides in a very dark place, clearly struggling with suicide, but hides it fairly well on the outside.
A new girl moves into town just as Sebastian's only friend goes to summer camp and teens will enjoy the development of this friendship as it is light and humorous. Aneesa is Muslim and the development of that plot line is interesting as it deals with that sensitive topic.
The characters are well developed, the plot moves nicely, and the story ends on a positive note, despite the dark cloud this story carries over it. Not an earth shattering story, no gruesome violence, just a realistic look at the consequences of a tragic accident.
A new girl moves into town just as Sebastian's only friend goes to summer camp and teens will enjoy the development of this friendship as it is light and humorous. Aneesa is Muslim and the development of that plot line is interesting as it deals with that sensitive topic.
The characters are well developed, the plot moves nicely, and the story ends on a positive note, despite the dark cloud this story carries over it. Not an earth shattering story, no gruesome violence, just a realistic look at the consequences of a tragic accident.
sarah_grey's review against another edition
4.0
I appreciated how this book really put you in the mind of a mentally ill person. It is important for people to understand that mental illness inhibits your ability to think logically and clearly so that they might understand the extremes mental illness can drive people to.
zbrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! Read it so quick I might need to read it again. Got me right in the heart. Didn't expect the ending....looking forward to reading more by Mr Lyga.
shelby0616's review against another edition
4.0
After reading the summary of this book, I wasn't sure if I wanted to even start it. The subject material seemed to be too much for me considering my little one was four months old not too long ago, and I have another on the way. I am really glad I went through and read it though. The ending had a twist that I did not see coming, and it was a tear jerker for me for sure. (Pregnancy hormones are a possible reason for this, but it was worth it.)
This book is about a very tough subject, and it can help younger kids deal with other very tough situations. Barry Lyga does a great job at showing Sebastian's struggle, and a terrific job at making you crave pizza! (Pregnancy again? Ha.)
This book is about a very tough subject, and it can help younger kids deal with other very tough situations. Barry Lyga does a great job at showing Sebastian's struggle, and a terrific job at making you crave pizza! (Pregnancy again? Ha.)
sasha_in_a_box's review against another edition
4.0
SO! This book is full of lies and deception! First off, it lays out the hard truths about our 14-y.o. protagonist, Sebastian: 10 years ago, he shot his baby sister with an unattended gun. He is, as a result, not at all living a happy life. But it's rather quiet and not the worst. Of course he contemplates suicide every day, but that's a part of his life.
Then he meets Aneesa, a Muslim girl. She's a straight-shooter, a dreamer, an excitable but super serious girl. She's the best. A friendship (or..more?) blooms and maybe things are looking up. Also there's a lot of pizza.
BUT WAIT. THIS BOOK IS NOT DONE WITH YOU. Because you get to live in denial for maybe 2/3 of this book. Get ready to get pummeled all over and punched in the face and kicked in the gut and stomped on your head.
Damn you, book.
Then he meets Aneesa, a Muslim girl. She's a straight-shooter, a dreamer, an excitable but super serious girl. She's the best. A friendship (or..more?) blooms and maybe things are looking up. Also there's a lot of pizza.
BUT WAIT. THIS BOOK IS NOT DONE WITH YOU. Because you get to live in denial for maybe 2/3 of this book. Get ready to get pummeled all over and punched in the face and kicked in the gut and stomped on your head.
Damn you, book.
theoglibrarianmom's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I could not put this book down. It was so amazing and complex. I'm a huge fan of Barry Lyga's work and this one did not disappoint. Put this on your MUST READ list.
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
5.0
Book #63 Read in 2017
Bang by Barry Lyga
When he was four years old, Sebastian picked up his father's unattended handgun and shot and killed his infant sister. That haunts Sebastian, now a teenager, and his parents. The parents split up and Sebastian lives with his mother, hardly ever seeing his father. Though not named in the press, all of his hometown knows what he did. He has one friend until Aneesa moves into the neighborhood. She does not know his past so Sebastian can have a "clean" relationship with someone new. Sebastian has thoughts of suicide as a way to stop his pain. This is a powerful read.
Bang by Barry Lyga
When he was four years old, Sebastian picked up his father's unattended handgun and shot and killed his infant sister. That haunts Sebastian, now a teenager, and his parents. The parents split up and Sebastian lives with his mother, hardly ever seeing his father. Though not named in the press, all of his hometown knows what he did. He has one friend until Aneesa moves into the neighborhood. She does not know his past so Sebastian can have a "clean" relationship with someone new. Sebastian has thoughts of suicide as a way to stop his pain. This is a powerful read.
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I'm sobbing. And traumatized and horrified. And hopeful. Like "Allegedly" by Tiffany Jackson, I can't really even review this. Just read it. Fierce YA with crazy important messages. I won't forget this book.
Librarian note: I also love the inclusion of diverse characters (Muslim best friend and discussions re: race and diversity - sensitivity readers used and mentioned in author's note).
Librarian note: I also love the inclusion of diverse characters (Muslim best friend and discussions re: race and diversity - sensitivity readers used and mentioned in author's note).
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Whoa, this was a pretty heavy read because it addressed a lot of issues, but I think it handled most of them well. I loved the character of Aneesa and her friendship with Sebastian was sweet. I appreciate Lyga researching Muslim culture and addressing Islamophobia, but that part of the book made it seem like a completely separate book to me. I honestly thought the pizza stuff was kinda of boring and I wasn't happy with one part at the end. I do really appreciate the resources Lgya offers at the end about suicide and gun violence. The story was definitely well written and a sad, but important conversation starter.