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Last night I chatted with a few middle school teachers and a student -- my first online book chat about my own book. Cool! These guys were deep-thinking about HATE LIST and asking questions that never been asked before (and, honestly, had never even thought of before).
One question -- asked by the lone student -- really left me scratching my head. She asked: If Valerie had known that Nick planned to shoot up the school, would she have stopped him?
(My answer, I'm afraid, was a lot of uncomfortable throat-clearing, followed by the ever-annoying, "What do YOU think about that?")
So we discussed, and moved on, but in my head I kept asking myself the question over and over again. Would Valerie have stopped the shooting, had she known in advance?
And, without getting all spoilery on you (Remember -- This is a spoiler-free zone!), I think I have my answer.
On the one hand, Valerie would have thought that turning Nick in would have meant losing him, and she would have felt losing him would be too high a price to pay. She was IN LOVE to the zillionth power, after all! There also might have been a tiny part of her who believed some people might have deserved it (They didn't. It's impossible to deserve being shot in cold blood in your school cafeteria, just so you know).
On the other hand, Valerie did stop the shooting while it was in progress. Did she stop it to protect the students who were getting shot? Or did she stop it to protect Nick?
I think she stopped it partly out of protection. She wanted to protect herself, yes, but she also was trying to protect Nick. She had done it before -- in the cafeteria when he began to respond to some bullying, she put her hand on his arm and told him to let it go -- protecting him from getting himself in trouble. And Valerie was definitely smart enough to foresee a plan like Nick's ending in trouble -- big, deadly trouble.
But over and above it all, Valerie had a good heart. She was a good person.
So I would have to say, yes. She would have stopped it in advance for the same reason she stopped it in progress -- because it was Just Wrong.
And, then, of course, came the follow-up question:
Who would she have told?
AARGH! You're kidding me with these questions!!!
(P.S. Thoughtful readers freaking ROCK!!!!)
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hayley rawson says...
hi i am one ove the kids in mrs. hopes second hour class and i just wanted to tell you that i loved the book it is amzing so far. i just wanted to know if you could give me some tips cuse i want to write a book and i have no idea what do so it would be great if you could give me some tips thanks



Hannah W. says...
Jen,
i am a syudent in Mrs. Taylor's 2nd hour class. I admit, at first I thought the book would be boring, but it turns out to be a pretty good read. Anyways, I have a question: What is your inspiration for this book, and what is the desired reaction from your readers?
Thanks,
Hannah
Kandi says...
Hey, I'm in Mrs.Taylor's honor english class. I really like to write. I write short stories, poetry, editorials, blogs, and lots of facebook statuses [IMAGE] my question is : If i wanted to get a collection of short stories or poems, or a novel published, what are some steps i can take? I know its not easy, but i really want to share my work with more than just my friends and family.
Your book is great! I'm going to have to buy a copy. Love the "colorful language" haha [IMAGE]