Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

Simon Sort of Says: by Erin Bow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Simon; he has suffered a major trauma and as a result, his family moves far away. In this new town Simon makes 2 friends, is glad there is no internet and gets used to the new life while also being well aware what he survived. There was so much to love about this book; the plot, the characters, the funeral home hijinks, the farm, his pastor father all combine to give the reader a story so important you cannot put it down. You will laugh and you will cry but Simon's many messages will resound with ALL readers! Highly recommended!

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That's Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger

That's Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow I loved the narration by Whitney Dykhouse , Megan Tusing , Almarie Guerra , Carly Robins , Ron Butler , Scott Lange in this gripping story about the aftermath of a school shooting and what it means to withhold information. Three years ago in Vergil County HS a shooter shot Lee Bauer's best friend, Sarah while they were together in the girls bathroom. What follows is narration by the friends that lived through the horror.

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The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga

The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book (my last in the #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenge) an MG Lit book on a spring related theme. I loved this 2nd book by Jasmine Warga---her words were beautiful, crushingly sad, brutal, and authentic. Two best friends are grieving after a school shooting claims family members. For Cora, her older sister, Mabel, and for Quinn, her older brother, Parker, and he was the shooter. What this gun violence does is crush both families, leaving lots of unanswered questions and these two main characters who are suffering and hurting. Cora blames Quinn since her brother did the shooting--even her father, grandmother and psychologist can not convince Cora that Quinn should not be blamed for her brother's actions. The crafting of this story was mesmerizing as Cora and Quinn narrate different chapters. I was especially affected by Quinn's letters to her brother as she alternately loves and hates him. The dynamics for Cora's family was supportive while Quinn's family doesn't want to call any attention to themselves---resulting in her parents awful fighting, her mom quitting her job, and abrupt shut downs whenever Quinn tries to ask questions. I loved the time travel aspect of the storyline and felt the majesty of the old oak tree and rooted for these two girls to make their way back to each other. A must read and I recommend reading the author note as well. Highly recommended!

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Mockingbird by Katherine Erskine

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Caitlin has Asperger's Syndrome, has lost her brother, and her father can't seem to understand or help her now that Devon is gone. I liked the way Erskine showed Caitlin's side of things, like trying to find closure, dealing with the bully Josh and then his befriending of her little friend, Michael. I liked the school counselor so much and the way she worked hard but honestly with Caitlin. This is the kind of book students, teachers and counselors need to read; it is not one size fits all, it is an honest, messy look at a girl trying to figure things out (she sees black and white in things) and realizing she can do it!

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Crash and Burn by Michael Hassan

Crash and Burn by Michael Hassan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow what a book! Steven Crashinsky is a teen with ADHD, a tough father, nasty older sister and wonderful younger sister. He narrates his life as a struggling student (son & friend), and then also as an author writing the story for his editor and his readers of how he thwarts a school shooting by one of his so-called friends David Burnett. It was at times funny, heartbreaking, and so easy to become one with Crash as he views his life both before and after "the incident" and also see his metamorphosis from youngster to teen (experimenting with drinking, alcohol, girls). This was a recommended read from one of my twitter book clubs #YearofYA during the month we explored tragedy theme books.

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This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp


This book came highly recommended from lists and blogs and oh was it taut, fearful and very angst ridden. School shootings are always difficult to read, be they fiction or nonfiction...Marieke Nijkamp's book is so good because she utilizes four different teen viewpoints (some are in the school, others are outside the school and some are in the auditorium with the shooter bringing the horror home to the reader. I could not put this book down (although I wanted to) and this book will be passed from student to student just for the fear and terror factor. I am also going to use this book in my May twitter chat (Tues May 24 at 8PM EST) with #yearofya on the topic of instability in teen lives. Join us for a powerful discussion on books and resources for teens on this timely topic.

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Bang (Visions #2) by Lisa McMann

Bang by Lisa McMann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another mystery I read as part of twitter chat with #yearofya April 26 at 8pm EST! I read the first Visions Novel and LOVED it, this 2nd continues with Jules and Sawyer but it seems after her last vision, Jules passed on visions to Sawyer and he his constantly seeing a school shooting. Determined to help him at all costs (because she is grounded for life- her family detests Sawyer's family) and she ends up asking her brother Trey for his help as well. Jules' romance with Sawyer is swoon worthy but both families parents are crazy!!! Thankfully Jules, Trey and her sister, Rowan are normal and highly supportive of helping each other even if it means lying and covering for one another. The spine tingling drama, visions, and heart stopping mystery kept me turning the pages and I highly recommend anything Lisa McMann writes, I am still in love with Janie and Cabel from the Wake series!!! Teens will love the tension of home life, school, working and relationships! A top notch thriller, highly recommended

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