About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is processing a community tragedy or struggling with the heavy weight of 'what if' regarding their own social choices. It is a vital resource for navigating the messy intersection of peer pressure, guilt, and the realization that even small actions can have ripple effects in the lives of others. The story follows a group of diverse teenagers in 1970s Virginia who each encounter Christopher Goodman, an eccentric and kind boy, on the night he is murdered. By shifting through multiple perspectives, the novel explores how each teen played a role, however small, in the events leading to the tragedy. It is a realistic, emotionally resonant look at accountability and grief that helps older teens understand that they are not alone in their complicated feelings following a loss. This book is best suited for mature readers ready to discuss the weight of personal responsibility and the impact of being an outsider.
