lit_editions 's review for:

Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser

4.0

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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...