INSIDE OUT by Terry Trueman

Zach was misunderstood. He was attacked by many voices in his head, he had schizophrenia. Zach was just waiting in the coffee shop like he does everyday for his Mom to meet him and give him his medicine. But today was different, 2 robbers came in and had Zach and everyone at the coffee shop hostage. Alan and Joey (the robbers, also called Frosty and Stormy) don't want to hurt anyone but Zach, who's going through problems without his medication is losing time. The situation at the coffee shop gets worse, and cops and tanks arrive. Zach says he really needs his medicine and tells Alan and Joey that Dr. Curt helps him. Joey and Alan are trying to steal this money to pay for their Mom's hospital bills since she has cancer. They come up with a plan to have Dr. Curt come and read the agreement the police made with Alan and Joey. All goes well and they give up the hostages but Zach volunteers to stay behind until Dr. Curt arrives. They realize there is a back door and try to escape but it ends up failing and causes Alan to get shot. Dr. Curt arrives and they give up. Alan and Joey now face 9 months in Juvy and 2 years probation and Zach ended up committing suicide.

I learned how schizophrenia messes up your brain & effects your life.

I found the ending to be a let down, I didn't want Zach to die.

Recommended for grades 11-12.

KH in Greenville.

EIGHT STORIES UP by Lezine A. DeQuincy, with David Brent.

Eight Stories Up is about DeQuiney Lezine, who as a teen thought the only way to escape his pain was to commit suicide. DeQuiney struggled during and childhood with feelings of hopelessness. As he went through college he fought with the urge to kill himself, eventually leading him to attempt suicide. He tried laying across train tracks, wandering around bad streets at night and finally he decided he'd jump. He was going to throw himself off a building ending his life right there. So than he began to write his friends his goodbyes. What he didn't know was that they kept him chatting until the 2 police officers and counselors showed up, saving his life. This book talks all about suicide, giving hope to people who may think they're alone , or who are asking questions about suicide. This book gives you the facts like how many think about suicide (1 in 10 people), how many act on suicide, what qualifies as suicide, how many die by suicide (4.599 ages 10-24 in 2004) etc. This book contains everything you should know about suicide, knowing that you're not alone, and how to tell if someone is suicidal. This book lets you know there is hope and there is recovery as shown by Lezine's story.

I learned so much, what the warning signs of suicide are, what qualifies as a suicide attempt, how many die and how to overcome these feelings and more. This book is a life saver for anyone who is suicidal or contemplating suicide.

Absolutely recommend! This book is an extremely helpful tool and I recommend everyone reads this so they know how to help and what to look for.

Recommended for grades 9-12 and adults.

KH in Greenville

BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS I'LL BE DEAD by Julie Ann Peters

This book is about a girl named Daeyln who was bullied her entire life. After many failed suicide attempts she decides this time will work. She stumbles upon a website, basically a count down to her death, but this all changes when a boy named Santana won't leave her alone.

I gained a new perspective on how one person can really help save someones life. She was set on killing herself and all it took was Santana to not give up on her to make her decide against it. This book was powerful because of her struggle. She was struggling between emotions, she didn't want to feel them. Her stories also made it powerful as well she drank ammonia and bleach to kill herself when Santana was struggling to stay alive.

Very deep story really hits you hard.

Recommended for grades 11-12.


KH in Greenville

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher

This book is about a girl named Hannah who made a set of tapes before she committed suicide. Now the set of tapes is being sent around, finally arriving at Clay's door. These tapes explain the 13 reasons why she killed herself. The 13 reasons happen to be 13 people who are mentioned on these tapes, Clay being one of them. Clay now must listen to all the tapes following Hannah's journey and what she went through leading up to her death.

You really gain a perspective about what you do can really hurt someone. In this case 13 people's actions lead to Hannah committing suicide. It shows you that words & how you treat people really effects them.

This book was absolutely amazing from start to finish, you really find yourself getting into it wanting to know why Clay was on these tapes and why she ended her life.

Recommended for grades 9-12.


KH in Greenville

BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS I'LL BE DEAD by Julie Ann Peters

The main focus of Peter's book is bullying, from cyber bullying to things that we see in our schools almost everyday. Daelyn Rice has been picked on and bullied for her whole life, due to everything that's happened to her she believes the best way to stop everyone from hurting her and to make life better for everyone else is to kill herself. Though her first couple attempts have left nothing but failure she's determined to get it right this final time.

This book really opened my eyes to how certain kids feel when they're being bullied. They are literally pushed over the edge and can't even trust their own shadow. It's hard to believe that anybody could feel like Daelyn has felt.

I recommend this book because I think more than one person can relate in someway even if you haven't been bullied or thought about committing suicide.

Recommended for all teens.


EB in Millerton

GOSSIP OF THE STARLINGS by Nina de Gramont

After screwing up a few times, Catherine is supposed to be keeping clean at her new school, the Esther Percy School for Girls. However, when Catherine meets Skye, the Massachusetts' Senator's daughter (who has always played by the rules), she couldn't have found anyone more willing to take risks and have fun. But the risks escalate quickly. At the end of the book, Skye commits suicide and Catherine realizes that friendship is a powerful and valuable thing.

This was another hardcore book about friendship. It was a really lame spin-off of the classic book, A Separate Peace. It was supposed to be a really complex plot with a really "deep" ending, but it just didn't work. However, it was a good story and was entertaining -- so as long as you do not take books too seriously, go for it. You'll certainly get the message that friendship is a powerful and valuable thing -- don't screw it up!

Good.
Erica in Esopus

BEATING THE BULLIES by Polly Clarkson

At some point in life, nearly everyone experiences bullying -- by brothers, sisters, neighbors, adults or schoolmates. Many people dismiss this behavior as a normal part of one's development, but bullying can in fact be very harmful -- it can lead to death, self-harm, suicide and even murder. This book addresses all types of bullying, including cyber-bullying and the use of text messages.

This book is packed with information, and reminds you to watch what you say and do because it can hurt other people.

Recommended.
Musfera in Esopus

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher

When Hannah Baker commits suicide, she leaves behind a box full of recorded tapes detailing the reasons why she did so. She sends the box to 13 people who affected her decision. Clay, who had a crush on her from afar for years, is one of the people who receives the box of tapes.

This amazing book shows readers that suicide isn't just a personal decision. There is always hope if you look hard enough or give things a second chance. I will never forget this book -- you feel like Hannah is explaining her life and reasons of suicide just to you. It's very powerful and moving.

Outstanding.
Meghan in Esopus