Common Sense Media Review
By Rachel Sarah
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stunning, hopeful story about healing from loss.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In HOLD STILL, 16-year-old Caitlin recently lost her best friend Ingrid to suicide. She's numb and shut down, unable to talk to anyone, including her concerned parents. She's supposed to go back to school in the fall, but it's so painful without Ingrid. Even worse, her favorite teacher ignores her in photography class. Determined to find out why Ingrid took her own life, Caitlin starts to read her friend's journal, and she uncovers dark memories as well as uplifting ones. The story's also interspersed with beautiful illustrations and journal entries. As family and new friends support her, Caitlin finds love again and heals.
Is It Any Good?
Heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting, this poignant novel captures the depth and reality of losing a friend to suicide. Hold Still is a vivid, emotional story told in incredibly poetic haunting language. "Something is smashing my chest -- an anchor, gravity," Caitlin says at the beginning of the book. "Soon I'll cave in on myself." Even though the subject matter is heavy, author Nina LaCour brings to the page what it's like to experience the depths of depression and also how to grieve and move on. Readers will feel both the loss of a friend and the strength of being able to live your life again.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the depression described in Hold Still. Have you ever experienced depression? Whom did you turn to? What ways can you get support if you or someone you know is experiencing depression?
Do you think art helps people heal when coping with a loss? What ways do you take care of yourself when you're grieving? Whom can you turn to? What help is out there?
What do you think of the book's title? What do you think the author is referring to when she says "Hold Still"?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Topics : Arts , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Dutton Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : October 20, 2009
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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