Hate List

Jennifer Brown

Published September 2009

408 pages

Rating: A

Synopsis

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets. Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

My review

Valerie and Nick are considered "losers" at school. They both get bullied by the most popular kids in school and both have screwed up families. Most times they talk about dark stuff, like death and suicide thoughts. Valerie gets so frustrated with everything that she creates a list of everything and everybody she and Nick hate, entitling it the "Hate List".

At school one day, Nick decides he's finally going to do something about the people he and Valerie hate. He brings a gun to school and shoots people who are on the "Hate List". Valerie is horrified and is shot trying to stop him, while also saving the life of her enemy Jessica Campbell. Nick then turns the gun of himself and commits suicide. Months pass. Now everybody knows about the "Hate List" and Valerie is being considered a murderer and a hero at the same time. How will she ever return to school when mostly everyboy hates her? How can she admit that she still loves her dead boyfriend? How can she ever move on and live a normal life?

This book was absolutely amazing! I loved every second of it. It was a very emotional and heart breaking book. Squeezed a few tears out of me. Valerie faces every problem with strength and determination and I loved her as the main character. I could actually really relate with her because I've encountered the same family problems. I really couldn't put the book down. I wanted to know what would happen to Valerie next. I felt like this book made me see life in a whole different way. The book may not of had a lot of action or romance but it is definitely one of my favorite books. I really have nothing bad to say about the book. Sure some things were repeated too often and there were some loose ends when the book finished but who really cares? The book was great and that's all that matters.

I recommend this book to EVERYBODY. It is a must-read. No question about it. Read it because you'll love it.

-Marisa