You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
⭐️ ⭐️
Personal Score: B-
Critical Score: D
Once the plot gets somewhere, I was riveted in a sickening way that even horror rarely makes me feel. I guess it’s because of the reality of school gun violence that this story feels so deeply nightmarish and wrong to write about as entertainment. Not that this is entertainment alone. Strasser adds some effective elements to make this book more of an educational project for student readers, like the lists at the end and all the stats, and how most of this content is conversation-starters, not decided fiction.
I love fucked up stuff, but somehow this book felt wrong. That’s just because I’m a 2000s young adult in the US. Thanks, ‘Merica.
Not well written. Not really ethical (see Stephen King removing his school shooting book from stores). Very dated. A relic, in a way. Maybe that’s where the questionable decision to publish this came from. By the end, it has made its case for publication. 20 years ago, I’d be more on board. Today, we would need severe revisions.
One of the most (moderate liberal) boomer books I’ve ever read. It’s got all the anti video games and pro adult supervision arguments you could ask for.
Felt uncomfortable by the frequent use of “fag.”
The incorporation of stats throughout was a good concept but poorly executed, as it disrupted the reading flow every other page.
Also didn’t approve of listing the speaker names *after* the quote, as it made for a clunky and confused reading experience.
Strasser is not skilled at writing teen voices. Especially in text/direct messaging...oof.
The craft of a magazine article rather than a novel. It doesn’t operate in a fully artistic and inspired space. It’s much more driven by a creative journalism. And I can work with that. But it’s still a very weak book in terms of craft.
Personal Score: B-
Critical Score: D
Once the plot gets somewhere, I was riveted in a sickening way that even horror rarely makes me feel. I guess it’s because of the reality of school gun violence that this story feels so deeply nightmarish and wrong to write about as entertainment. Not that this is entertainment alone. Strasser adds some effective elements to make this book more of an educational project for student readers, like the lists at the end and all the stats, and how most of this content is conversation-starters, not decided fiction.
I love fucked up stuff, but somehow this book felt wrong. That’s just because I’m a 2000s young adult in the US. Thanks, ‘Merica.
Not well written. Not really ethical (see Stephen King removing his school shooting book from stores). Very dated. A relic, in a way. Maybe that’s where the questionable decision to publish this came from. By the end, it has made its case for publication. 20 years ago, I’d be more on board. Today, we would need severe revisions.
One of the most (moderate liberal) boomer books I’ve ever read. It’s got all the anti video games and pro adult supervision arguments you could ask for.
Felt uncomfortable by the frequent use of “fag.”
The incorporation of stats throughout was a good concept but poorly executed, as it disrupted the reading flow every other page.
Also didn’t approve of listing the speaker names *after* the quote, as it made for a clunky and confused reading experience.
Strasser is not skilled at writing teen voices. Especially in text/direct messaging...oof.
The craft of a magazine article rather than a novel. It doesn’t operate in a fully artistic and inspired space. It’s much more driven by a creative journalism. And I can work with that. But it’s still a very weak book in terms of craft.
Wow. This was a powerful and impactful book. It was actually difficult for me to read because I felt like it was very heavy and there was never a release of tension in the book. I felt so sad while reading. So I felt very sad reading it the whole time. However, Strasser did an excellent job at portraying the effects of bullying and the effects of apathy from others. We need to invest and care about the people around us- trying to help them with their struggles and not pretend like they don't exist. It was neat how he used interviews to tell the story.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was good; I wish that it focused less on "guns are bad", because that's freakin' obvious.
As an educator...it is so hard for me to read novels like this. I know these things happen, but it is just so sad. What drives a person to take a someone else life? What drives a person to outcast the one that doesn't fit "societal norms"? How much have we ignored as adults? This is scary. The author did a wonderful job at capturing and invoking a wide range of emotions from the writing to the reader. It was good story, heavy, but nicely done. I wish there was an easy answer to the bullying, tormenting and feeling of worthlessness that so many of our students face. If we can teach "civility...where differences between people are embraced, not ridiculed." My heart was beating so hard while reading this story, I was so sad for Gary and Brendan, but also sad for the students that had to go through that terrifying moment, but also angry for the people that partook in the harassment and upset that this is what it came to. So many emotions. Gosh, I hate hate...
Why does my school randomly have 50 copies of this book lying around???
dark
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Like wasn't bad but wouldn't recommend it interesting writing format, but he a school shooter compared himself to Rosa Parks, like what, school shootings are an extremely important topic
I didn't realize how long ago this book had been written until I got to the last part. I think that we have been tricked into believing that school shootings and gun control are new problems when in reality it's been a fight going on for much longer than I thought.
this book was a good break down of a school shooting. honest. I liked the way the testimonies were set up. This was a short and informative read. I found myself wondering what Brendan and Gary would have been like had they stayed alive.
this book was a good break down of a school shooting. honest. I liked the way the testimonies were set up. This was a short and informative read. I found myself wondering what Brendan and Gary would have been like had they stayed alive.
This was a book that tackled some really heavy issues. Reading it in the classroom with my scholars was an interesting experience simply because there was a lot of content that upset both me and some of my other scholars. I think the author's heart was in the right place but as a sensitive person this book was hard for me to read.