Written by Marieke Nijkamp
Suspenseful! Captivating! Engaging! Scary!
Students return for the second semester of school. They are gathered in the auditorium to hear the principal give her usual “do your best, work hard, this is your last chance, seniors” speech. Suddenly a boy comes into the auditorium and starts shooting. Students try to leave and find all the doors chained shut.
The format of this book is sub-chapter according to the perspective of different students. Texts are sent to each other and others outside of the building. Two students who skipped the assembly called 911 immediately upon hearing the shots. There is a time line with each chapter. Since I skip some of the chapter headings I do not remember how quickly things happen. The whole ordeal lasts less than an hour. With flashbacks of memories of some of the characters it seems longer. The story is very captivating.
I would consider placing this book in a high school but not at all in a junior high school. It would prove to be too suggestive. Even in a high school there may be possible problems having it on the shelves of the school.
This is a victim view of why and what happens in a mass shooting at a school. Caution should be taken. Does this sort of thing happen? Yes. Do we need to give young adults any more ideas of how to plan such an experience? No. Careful consideration should be used in placing this book in schools.
Review by Kristine T. Johnson, Teacher, West Lake Junior High
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: High School
This Is Where It Ends
Written by Marieke Nijkamp
Sourcebooks Fire
285 pages
Release Date: January 5, 2016
