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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
Recollections of students present at school shootings (Mainly Columbine). Amazing, amazing book.
fictional story about a school shooting but brings up good statistics and helps put into perspective gun safety. a bit outdated but still very relevant in today's time of semi-automatic weapons
This book was all too real... The story is about two boys who plan a school shooting... It is told through snippets of interviews by friends, neighbors, family, teachers, and the bullies... There were also statistics at the bottom and a timeline in the back of shootings. That occured up until the publication of this book... I know Columbine was the shooting that everyone knew, but as a kid I remember the Westside Middle School shooting more... I remember being in third grade and telling my teacher about being afraid of fire drillls after reading that article in the paper... I don't remember Columbine as much even though I was a year older, I think my parents made a point to shelter me from hearing about it when it was happening... I also didn't know there was a shooting in Brentwood HS back in 93...
I wouldn't say I liked this book, but it was a quick read about serious problems affecting public schools across America. Considering my high school experience isn't as traumatic as the ones portrayed in this book, I am amazed at the horrible things that go on in other schools.
I wouldn't read this again, but I'm sure that the story will stay with me for a long time.
I wouldn't read this again, but I'm sure that the story will stay with me for a long time.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A book about mental illness and how it can have consequences with the wrong decisions.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Mass/school shootings
Heart-breaking and inspiring all at once. This book should be a required read for all teachers, administrators, and middle school students. It really makes you look into the psyche and troubles of troubled children. An excellent way to bring up the topic of bullying and what it can lead to.
I was oddly unmoved, and for a person who distinctly saw the effects of Columbine in her own school and currently teaches in a high school, I felt I should be more moved by this book. It did send a clear message on how schools need more protocol on dealing with bullying.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i’ve been meaning to read this since i read an excerpt from it in morton rhue’s other novel “the wave” and i’m glad i finally got to it.
this novel really got under my skin.
the format was perfect for the story since it gave us insights on the events from people that knew the protagonists, but never from the protagonists themselves. in the end, we’ll never know what was going on inside of their heads and that alone shows the gravity of the subject.
this novel gave me world weariness, but it is such an important topic to look into that i would recommend it to anyone.
this novel really got under my skin.
the format was perfect for the story since it gave us insights on the events from people that knew the protagonists, but never from the protagonists themselves. in the end, we’ll never know what was going on inside of their heads and that alone shows the gravity of the subject.
this novel gave me world weariness, but it is such an important topic to look into that i would recommend it to anyone.