Book Review: Hate List by Jennifer Brown


Going back to school is going to be rough for Val this year. There has not been enough time since her last day back in May, and her leg still hurts.

It doesn't help that the reason her leg hurts is that she was shot by her boyfriend, after he opened fire in the school. How was she supposed to know that he was going to start shooting at students? Sure they had the list, but that was never serious, right? It was just a way for them to talk about their day, and blow off some steam about the kids that picked on them. She wasn't in on the plan, was she?

The Hate List is a book about what happens in the aftermath of a tragedy. Val remembers Nick as a sweet boyfriend who understood her. She didn't see him as a killer, or someone who was out for revenge. And while Val was not charged with anything, some of the survivors still blame her. Val's life was not perfect before, but now she has to figure out what happened on May 3rd, 2008, and try to move on with her life.

The Hate List is a powerful read, and does deal with a school shooting. This book is for mature readers who like realistic fiction, and authors such Chris Crutcher and Laurie Halse Anderson. Fans of non-fiction should check out Dave Cullen's Columbine, a book that looks at the events surrounding the Columbine school shooting in 1999.

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie (Reading Sleepaway Girls because it is light, fluffy and fun!)