Common Sense Media Review
From suicide to bullying, every tough teen topic is present.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
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Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 13 parent reviews
Based on 57 kid reviews
Kids say this book is a powerful and relatable read that tackles heavy themes like bullying, suicide, and the pressures of teenage life, though it contains mature content such as drugs, drinking, and sexual references. Many readers appreciate the character development and the strong, poignant messages about kindness and the importance of decisions, but caution that it may not be suitable for younger or less mature readers.
- mature themes
- character development
- powerful messages
- reader recommendations
- emotional impact
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Samantha and her three best friends are the "It" girls at Thomas Jefferson High School. It's Cupid Day of their senior year, but more importantly, it's the day Samantha has decided to lose her virginity with her boyfriend, Rob. After a party that night, a fatal car accident interrupts Sam's plans. It takes a day or two of reliving those same 24 hours before Sam realizes she must be dead, or in limbo of some kind; she notices that she can alter her actions and their repercussions -- but can she save her own life?
Is It Any Good?
Oliver vividly draws a picture of the devastating damage done by bullying, while exploring the ease with which some teens turn a blind eye to such behavior. Watching one's self, or reliving death, is not a new concept in young adult literature, and here the tough issues inherent in the topic are bandied about as often as teens talk keggers and designer duds. But the author does a nice job of exploring the decision to lose one's virginity; and also discovering that all actions have consequences -- although Sam and her friends might be a little old to be making that particular discovery.
The treatment of bullying and its impact, the motivations behind the bullying, and the reasons other kids tacitly accept it is one topic that can't be portrayed too often in books for teens and Oliver gives it a great twist by not trying to make Sam and her friends likable from the start. Her perspective makes the book more realistic and immediate, and makes Sam's ultimate bid for redemption stronger and sadder. The suicide of a classmate is searingly explored and will be the most memorable aspect of the book.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about bullying and the perception that these days, more girls bully than boys. Have you observed that at your school? How is bullying treated by your friends? Have you been bullied?
What advice would you give someone who has been bullied? What do you think your favorite teacher would do if you went to them about being bullied?
Does verbal abuse or taunting do as much damage as physical bullying, or being beat up, would do?
What was the most important thing that Sam learned?
Would you have tried to change something other than Sam if you had the chance to? If you knew it was your last day to live, what would you choose to do?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperTeen
- Publication date : March 1, 2010
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 470
- Last updated : June 19, 2019
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