 | Lucky ones Author: Lawson, Liz | |
| Price: $9.01 | ||
Summary:
In the aftermath of a school tragedy, May and Zach struggle with grief, survivor's guilt, and the complex emotional impact of the event, learning how to heal and hope in the face of it all.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: UG Reading Level: 4.70 Points: 11.0 Quiz: 512550 |
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 03/01/2020 Gr 7 Up—May is a survivor of the school shooting where her twin brother, Jordan, and some friends died. But she doesn't feel like a survivor. She feels angry and guilty for what happened in the band room that day. She survived by staying in the closet, but that did not prevent her from hearing, and then seeing, everything that happened. Zach is angry, too. His mother can't see how being the lawyer of the school shooter is making his and his sister's lives unbearable. When someone paints epithets on their garage, he feels too hopeless to tell his mother how her decisions are affecting them. But when May and Zach meet, something magical happens for both of them. Can either teen truly move on with the other, especially when neither is being exactly truthful with themselves or one another? May, Zach, their families, and friends are all complex and intriguing characters that readers will immediately connect with and want to see succeed. VERDICT This heartbreaking and touching story of grief and loss, as well as hope and forgiveness, will resonate with readers who deal with this fear and reality on a daily basis.—Traci Glass, Nashville Public Library - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 04/01/2020 Tragically relevant and with a nuanced perspective on grief and being a survivor, Lawson’s debut introduces readers to high-school-shooting survivor and bereaved sister May and the son of the lawyer defending the school shooter, Zach. When the two encounter each other as new classmates, there’s an instant spark—but their previous connection could tear them apart before they have a chance to begin. Meanwhile, May’s unresolved grief and guilt threatens to inflict permanent damage on her, and Zach must find a way to stand up to or forgive his mother. Lawson writes in alternating perspectives, creating distinct voices in this powerful story of what remains after a violent tragedy. With a strong depiction of sibling loss, in particular, The Lucky Ones portrays grief as multifaceted and complicated. The well-rounded characters have complex motivations and emotions, while Lawson is careful never to talk down to teens and adds an unexpected but sensitively-handled, blossoming romance. This is an excellent pick for fans of Jennifer Brown’s Hate List (2009) and Jenny Hubbard’s And We Stay (2014). - Copyright 2020 Booklist.
