Parents' Guide to

Hold Still

By Rachel Sarah, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Stunning, hopeful story about healing from loss.

Book Nina LaCour Contemporary Fiction 2009
Hold Still Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 17+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Julie H.
Julie H. Adult
November 13, 2020
age 15+

Mature Audience but powerful message

While this novel does contain some very mature content at times, the overall message is very empowering for anyone who is learning to overcome the loss of a best friend (to suicide). The narrator struggles with the blame throughout the novel and often shuts herself out from reality; however, through new friendships, she is able to realize her own identity outside of her previous friendship.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Too much swearing
Choose a password
Choose a password Adult
May 25, 2019
age 18+

Horrific

This book is a never ending novel on sadness. I regretfully inform others tgat its a depressant and you need to be aware of that. There are parts where she rubs away and its worrysome. :/

This title has:

Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 2 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (3):

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

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