Notes
★ "Love, loyalty, bravery, and loss meld into a chaotic, heart-wrenching mélange of issues that unite some and divide others. The starkly chilling realism and themes of abuse, death, and assault, among others, may prove too much for younger or sensitive readers, but the story unquestionably leaves an indelible mark." – Publishers Weekly
★ "Harrowing first-person narrations reveal the way characters try to understand what is happening, where they are in relation to the emergency, and what they can do to save those they love… readable, gripping, and well balanced." – Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
★ "Strong characterisations capture diversity in gender, race, and ability. Even reluctant readers will anxiously pursue the ending, unable to turn away from the tragedy and in desperate hope for a resolution, knowing there cannot be a happy ending." – Booklist
★ "The core message and potential to open thoughtful discussion make this a solid choice for teen readers." – VOYA
★ "With narration firmly rooted in the moment and smooth transitions in and out of flashbacks, each first-person account reveals an intricate web of betrayal and pain that connects the four to Tyler and the horror he has unleashed." – The Horn Book
★ "This brutal, emotionally charged novel will grip readers and leave them brokenhearted." – Kirkus Reviews
★ "With a thrilling narrative, topical subject matter, and diverse characters, this is a first purchase for libraries serving teens." – School Library Journal
★ "Less than an hour can reshape your life. In one school, one person, with one gun, changes everything. A brother, a boyfriend, a classmate. A wish of revenge. Unfolding through the eyes of those close to him, a story of tragedy and loss; yet, through it all, hope." – SLJ Teen
★ "Nijkamp’s brutal, powerful fictional account of a school shooting is important in its timeliness. Maybe it’s this kind of book that can push people to think on a more human level about the horror of these events and how we can prevent them in the future." – Bustle
★ "Simultaneously heart pounding and heart wrenching. Every word hits frighteningly close to home and is tragically too familiar. This book will leave you asking questions that we as a society should have answered a long time ago." – Julie Murphy, 1 New York Times
