Parents' Guide to

I'm Not Dying With You Tonight

By Barbara Saunders, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Girls forge friendship amid night of rioting in deep novel.

I'm Not Dying With You Tonight Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 13+

Based on 4 parent reviews

age 14+

omg lit the best book ever

awesome

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much swearing
age 13+

Quick read, very good!

I remember seeing this on a trip to Barnes and Noble once and the cover caught my eye, I ended up buying it almost a year later because it was on sale. I have no regrets. I think that YA Fiction based on true events is an incredible way to learn about social justice. Seeing the authors go back and forth with their differing viewpoints really opens your eyes to how different things can be. As a white, cis female I will never experience some things that others unfortunately do, and this book is a great step into the shoes of others. There are some aggressive parts in the book, multiple riots break out, and a local homeless man comes after the characters, but I don't think that any of it is too mature for middle school aged children. There are so many messages for kids to pick up on in this that it's crazy. Friendship, courage, perseverance just to name a few.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (3 ):

This is a wonderfully sensitive portrayal of the intense relationships that can develop between teen girls. Debut authors Gilly Segal and Kimberly Jones made the masterful choice to make I'm Not Dying With You Tonight first and foremost a deep story about the evolution of a friendship. The plot and setting cover racial misunderstandings, divorce, financial problems, and the rollercoaster of teen romance. However, the heart of the book is the way two strong girls bring out the best in each other when the world crashes down around them, and boyfriends, parents, teachers, and the police can't, won't, or just don't help.

Book Details

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