Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Saunders
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Podcaster looks into gruesome murders in thrilling mystery.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When I DON'T WISH YOU WELL begins, 18-year-old Pryce, a college freshman in Louisiana, sees some new information posted online about the high-profile murders of four high school football players in his small hometown five years prior. An aspiring journalist, he gains the support of one of his professors to report on the case with the intention to develop a podcast about the crimes. A trip back to his hometown forces Pryce to confront his own secret; he's gay and hasn't yet come out to his family, including his conventionally masculine, sports-obsessed father and football player brother.
Is It Any Good?
This thrilling tale brings readers a hero who is not merely likable but deeply admirable. In I Don't Wish You Well by Jumata Emill, a young gay man faces his internalized homophobia and fear of losing his parents' love while also pouring his heart into his passion for using journalism to pursue justice. The book is recommended for mature readers, as it contains drug use, casual sexual encounters, and graphic descriptions of violence. Two themes of the book are unusual enough to be notable: The story takes place in a small, southern town that was, in the recent past, a "sundown town," where it wasn't safe for Black people to be out and about after dark; although racial issues bubble under the surface, the relationships between people of different racial backgrounds are mostly peaceful. Religion is a central feature of the characters' lives, and a variety of religious people are depicted, with good and bad traits. This expertly well-plotted, propulsive whodunit with enough nuance and social commentary to elevate to another level entirely.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of teamwork in I Don't Wish You Well. What are the advantages of working together with other people to reach goals? What are some negative aspects of working with others? Why is it important to have a strong sense of integrity when collaborating?
There's a proverb, "Curiosity killed the cat. The satisfaction brought him back." How does that apply to the main character in I Don't Wish You Well?
The author uses a number of artifacts to tell the story: police reports, audio transcripts of interviews, text messages, newspaper articles, and podcast scripts. Why do you think he chose to tell the story that way? How did including those affect your sense of the action?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Faith ( Christianity ) , Family Stories ( Dads , Moms , Siblings ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Integrity , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : January 20, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 400
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : February 23, 2026
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