#NotReadyToDie

Author Cate Carlyle takes her readers into Southwestern High School on a Monday morning when everything is locked down due to a shooter in the building. Amid the moments of tension and terror, Ginny tries to help her good friend Owen and the substitute teacher, Miss Jones. To her surprise, Kayla – one of the “barbies” – offers to help, and the two young women take control and do what they can to keep their classmates calm – and alive.

Ginny is a strong and resourceful main character who overcomes her own fears and biases in order to help people around her. She is not a typical heroine by any means, and readers learn that her self-doubts and anxieties have led her to cut herself. But when she needs to be strong, Ginny steps forward and does what needs to be done.

Although the novel is quite short and covers a time span of only a few hours, the tension is palpable in this young adult novel. Students hide under their desks for safety. Talking is in hushed tones only, and cell phone ringers are turned off. More than once in the novel, the students realize the shooter is right outside their door, and the tension and terror mount accordingly. Young adult readers will be kept on the edge of their seats and may well want to finish the entire gripping story in one sitting. Like the parents and community members waiting outside, readers are nervous and frightened until the situation is resolved.

The obvious theme of #NotReadyToDie is school shooters and the violence in and around educational institutions. While Carlyle does not give readers particularly gruesome or gory descriptions, neither does she sugarcoat the situation. The threat of violence in schools is very real, and novels like this will enable students and teachers to discuss and address such problems.

Ginny is a changed person by the end of the story, making this a true coming-of-age novel where the main character evolves into someone stronger and more self-assured. Carlyle asks readers how they would react in a similar crisis by showing students who find hidden reserves, students who break down and students who do their best to distract themselves. The terror of thinking death may be imminent reminds Ginny of conversations with her dad and his advice about making the most of every day and living life to the fullest.

During the ordeal, Ginny makes a list of what she will try to accomplish if she survives. She shows readers the importance of atonement and attempting to make things right with the people around her as well as the necessity of forgiveness and moving on with life. By showing that her characters learn such valuable lessons, Carlyle has provided important teachings for her readers.