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It's a must for parents and those working in the educational field. I thought this book was great.
Some unknown person puts up a cross for each victim and one for the shooter (which Picoult acknowledges is strange within the narrative, given that the shooter is not dead) and someone keeps vandalizing/stealing the shooter's cross until it stops being replaced.These are not composites. His death is largely overlooked by the media and the community, who keep referring to the "children" who died. The principal knows every student by name and life story. He spends the rest of the book relearning how to do simple things- hold a spoon, speak, etc.
Jodi Picoult's Nineteen minutes bothers me. These are events that happened to real people in a real place, and I don't think Picoult should have drawn so heavily from her source material.Beyond that, there are the other issues mentioned here- unrealistic characterization, Teen Movie high school cliques, a school administration that chooses not to deal with open bullying because 'it might make things worse' and awkward dialogue.I used to enjoy Picoult's books. The shooter rigged his car with explosives, which [I think] did not go off. It is the story of a school shooting that takes too many details from the shooting at Columbine.
When the police arrive on the scene they see a group of students in a second story window holding up a sign and asking to be rescued. Some of her other books tackled interesting ethical dilemmas, but after this and the terrible Change of Heart, I think I'm done. There's the well-liked teacher, the only adult to die, who is shot and tended to by an Eagle Scout. A boy is shot in the head, and in his confusion and desire to escape he goes out the window.
I will read all her books as long as she keeps writing. Loves this book. I was not to sure if I would like it seeing as it was about a high school shooting, but I was surprised by it. If you like her don't miss this one. I have read all of Jodi's books and this one was very gripping. I love how she brings each character to life and in depth.
If you like her books you will for sure like this one. This was the 3rd Jodi Picoult book I have read and I liked it a lot. She always has an amazing twist at the end of her books that you could never guess.
The book help my interest well, although it addresses a difficult topic: many "popular" students bullying another student over several years. I had not read any other of Piccoult's works, so came to this book with no preconcieved expectations. I recommend the book. The bullying here is extreme -- to the point of "pantsing" the victim in a high school cafeteria, and forwarding the victim's a private love letter to everyone at his school).The book tells the story from several points of view -- including several adults and teens. It is told in a flashback style -- flipping from one time period to another. This is not a technique that I generally enjoy, but it is well done here, and not confusing.
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