Parents' Guide to

Hold Still

By Rachel Sarah, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Stunning, hopeful story about healing from loss.

Hold Still Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 17+

Based on 2 parent reviews

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
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

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.

Book Details

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