Joycelyn A. (JMJGE) reviewed on
Helpful Score: 1
I have not read all of Jodi Picoult books. This one is my favorite of the ones I have read. It is a page turner; interesting, engaging, and makes the reader stop and think about the issues that teenagers face growing up. If you did not understand how much bullying happens in schools, especially high schools then this will convince you, and certainly remind you of Columbine. However, as much as I think this book is about bullying behavior, and the possible consequences of this kind of behavior, I think the "quieter", overlooked issue is about teenage girls. This book is also about how girls lives are centered around being attractive, popular and how much they are pressured to perform in certain ways. It is about how critical it is for girls to be part of the "right crowd", and have the right boyfriend. This story is about how Josie was quietly bullied by her boyfriend, and coerced into supporting his wants and needs, including sex until she got to the point that she was as much a victim of bullying and exclusion as the shooter.
The ending did not come as a complete surprise, nor was it completely unexpected. It did start a dialogue with my daughter and daughter-in-law who are the mothers of 5 girls! And a recommendation to read my book!
The ending did not come as a complete surprise, nor was it completely unexpected. It did start a dialogue with my daughter and daughter-in-law who are the mothers of 5 girls! And a recommendation to read my book!
