The Hate List by Jennifer Brown

I read Hate List by Jennifer Brown. It is about a girl named Valerie Leftman, a girl whose boyfriend was the shooter in a school shooting. He killed people from his and Valerie’s hate list, and then killed himself. Valerie didn’t know he was planning this, even though all the signs were there. She tried to stop him, and ended up getting shot in the leg trying to save someone who had teased her for years, and was on her hate list. Everyone reacted differently. Some people believed she was a hero, and other people believe that the shooting was all her idea. Either way, going back to school to finish her senior year is one of the hardest things she’s ever had to do. She will have to deal with her relationships with her family, former friends, and Jessica, the girl whose life she saved. Because of Valerie’s family problems, she has to deal with many of these issues only with the help of Dr. Hieler, her therapist. Dr. Hieler is one of my favorite characters in the book because he truly cares about Valerie. This book is about Valerie’s journey through this tragedy. Will Valerie ever move on with her life? Will she mend her relationships? Read to find out.
School Library Journal recommends this book for grade 8 and up, and that it is, "Startling, powerful, and poignant." Publishers Weekly says, "[A] riveting debut." I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in this topic.

Recommended by Anne Marie Greenwood