Michael Hassan's timely and tragic debut novel chronicles the genesis and aftermath of a school hostage situation with authentic and unforgettable characters.
Readers know the outcome at the start of the book: on April 21, 2008, Steven "Crash" Crashinsky thwarted his troubled classmate David "Burn" Burnett from blowing up Meadows High with explosives. Crash's ADHD originally hindered any chance at college, but his heroic deed opened the door to first-tier schools, put him in the media spotlight and garnered him a book deal to reveal the last words Burn whispered to Crash before he was taken down and arrested.
Crash meets Burn for the first time in elementary school; shortly after, Burn tries to destroy the school with rocket fuel and fireworks. Antisocial and bipolar, Burn returns to school on more meds and a promise for Crash that will terrorize him for years: "And one day, I am going to kill you." Crash dictates his on-and-off friendship for inclusion in his book, and makes the case that Burn isn't necessarily a product of bullying but instead has suffered from traumatic events in his angry and disillusioned life. Another key player is the girl Crash is falling for: Roxanne, Burn's sister. A heart-pounding scene unfolds where Burn, holding a gun on him, forbids Crash from dating her.
The revealing of Burn's secret makes the ending all the more hard-hitting, even though Crash gave readers a heads-up on the first page. Not to be missed. --Adam Silvera, former bookseller and Paper Lantern Lit intern