Publishers Weekly
06/04/2018
As the anniversary of the school shooting that killed eight people, including her best friend, approaches, Leeann is anxious and sad. She’s also angry—not just at the shooter, but at the people who turned Sarah into a martyr whose dying thought was of faith, and at herself for not clearing things up sooner. Searching for the truth, Leeann asks the other five students who were in the shooter’s range, four of whom have become her closest friends, to tell their stories, and their narratives are folded into the book. The fifth survivor has left town, but Leeann tracks her down. As the truths mount up and displace each other, the survivors must come to terms with what they did and didn’t do that day, and how different that may be from what people think happened. Keplinger (The DUFF) effectively conveys how the stories they’ve told and have been told about the shooting have shaped each survivor’s sense of who they are. The result is an original and engrossing narrative about scars, recovery, and how the stories we tell can both sustain and hobble us. Ages 12–up. Agent: Brianne Johnson, Writers House. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
Praise for That's Not What Happened:"An original and engrossing narrative about scars, recovery, and how the stories we tell can both sustain and hobble us." Publishers Weekly"Echoing highly publicized tragedies, this taut, emotional story goes behind the headlines to reveal lives impacted by school violence." Kirkus Reviews"This title adeptly explores how the truth can be different for people who suffered the same tragedy. A timely, thought-provoking read that would be a worthy addition to all high school libraries." School Library Journal"Unique... This is a must-read." PASTE magazinePraise for Run:"Bo and Agnes' unlikely friendship rings true and strong." Kirkus Reviews"A good unlikely friendship story with compelling characters and a nuanced portrait of disability and small-town life." School Library Journal"There's plenty to recommend... though the most effective thing here remains Agnes' and Bo's voices and the strength of their realistically tumultuous relationship." BooklistPraise for The DUFF:"A well-written, irreverent, and heartfelt debut." Publishers Weekly"A complex, enemies-with-benefits relationship that the YA market has never seen before... Her snarky teen speak, true-to-life characterizations, and rollicking sense of humor never cease in her debut." Kirkus Reviews"What's best here is Bianca's brazen voice. Even when confused, she is truer to herself than most." BooklistPraise for Lying Out Loud, a companion to The DUFF:"Just like the recipients of Sonny's fibs, readers will find themselves duped by her creativity, unabashed courage, and hilarious snark. Until it all blows up. Fierce, fresh, total fun." Kirkus Reviews"Readers will cringe as Sonny digs herself deeper and deeper into trouble, then applaud when she learns how to develop trust in her relationships with parents, friends, and of course, a hot romantic interest." Voice of Youth Advocates"Sonny is a realistic and very human character, and even though she is a liar, her motivations are all too believable." School Library Journal
School Library Journal
07/01/2018
Gr 8 Up—Three years ago, the students of Virgil County High School experienced the unthinkable: a mass school shooting. Now, the survivors are writing letters about their experiences that day, how it affected them afterwards, and their relationships to the victims. One of the victims, Sarah McHale, is known around the world as the Girl with the Cross Necklace, who died defending her faith. As her family prepares to write a book about her and her last proclamation, Lee—the protagonist and Sarah's best friend—feels that she needs to speak up and reveal the truth about Sarah. In a time where mass shootings have been all too common, this story gives a voice to the victims and survivors, all while avoiding mention of the shooter's name. Keplinger is known for her relatable characters and realistic teen voices and this work is no exception. The book includes a blind character, a wheelchair user, and an asexual character. This title adeptly explores how the truth can be different for people who suffered the same tragedy. VERDICT A timely, thought-provoking read that would be a worthy addition to all high school libraries; for fans of Violent Ends by Shaun David Hutchinson.—Morgan O'Reilly, Riverdale Country School, NY
Kirkus Reviews
2018-05-28
A school shooting survivor is determined to correct untrue stories about the tragic event.Senior Leanne Bauer faces the third anniversary of the incident that took nine lives at rural Virgil County High School. Afterward, tales spread that her best friend, Sarah, defended her Christian faith before she was murdered, something eyewitness Lee knows to be untrue. However, Sarah's religious family and the community at large embrace that story. When fellow survivor Denny asks Lee to read his college scholarship letter, she is inspired to ask the other eyewitnesses to write their stories too. One of the six, Kellie, has moved away, her family hounded when she insisted that the cross necklace found at the site actually belonged to her, not Sarah. Lee becomes convinced that she must get Kellie to participate if the project is to be complete. Echoing highly publicized tragedies, this taut, emotional story goes behind the headlines to reveal lives impacted by school violence. The characterizations are strong: Gay, Latinx Eden struggles with guilt over her difficult relationship with her murdered cousin. White, fervently Christian Ashley is a staunch supporter of the accepted narrative, while Miles, white and already troubled before, is even more withdrawn. Denny, African-American and blind, appears the most grounded, though readers only glimpse his backstory. White, working-class Lee is a nuanced and believable protagonist.A timely page-turner that will resonate with readers. (Fiction. 12-18)