Amazing read

This book deals with a fictional form of what so many people have not experienced in true life. We have all, in some form or another, been touched by a school shooting. This book opens your eyes to things that you might not have previously considered and goes beyond the normal news headlines of the shooter being a problem child or having a disturbing home life or being bullied. Picoult creates her characters in such a way that the reader feels like they are friends and experiencing what it must be like to be "inside the ropes" of a school shooting. This book, like so many others by Picoult, goes beyond the normal fictional realm and seems more like nonfiction than fiction.
There were times when this book was tough to read. There were times when I just had to put it down and go do something else because it was so heart wrenching. Yet, I wanted to know how it was all going to end. If you haven't ever read Picoult's books, then you need to know that she doesn't always provide the "happy ending" that is found in most fiction. Additionally, this book will keep you thinking that you know what will happen next, only to find out you were wrong!
This book is a page turner and a good read. I would imagine that those with teens might have a harder time reading this than others.