Nineteen Minutes

As a special ed teacher who has taught students who fit a certain profile and those who bully, I hate how much school shootings are a reality. I was a teacher when Columbian happened. I talk to my students about that. (gen ed and regular ed). I tell them about Brooks Brown. I let them know that acts of simple kindness make all the difference in the world and are so much easier than acts of cruelty.This story gave an interesting perspective on why the bullies are the way they are. It was realistic in the sad lack of response schools have. I found it very moving.

I own and have read most of Picoult's novels, but somehow missed reading this one when it came out, as 2007 was a very busy year for me. It came to my attention, as it did for others, when a father was arrested recently for protesting it at a school board meeting in New Hampshire. I think he was justified, and his arrest was ridiculous. I gave the book four stars because it's an outstanding piece of writing that was diminished by the sexually explicit components...they weren't necessary, and could have been addressed in an oblique fashion or left out completely. I never assigned a book that contained sexual material for one reason...I didn't feel it was my place to expose kids to it...you can argue that kids know about it, have probably experienced it personally or have seen graphic movies, doesn't matter....reading explicit material in an educational setting gives license to the behavior. That having been said, it's too bad Picoult put those parts in, the book would've been an excellent teaching tool otherwise, except that I can say with total assurance, having taught middle and high school English, that few 9th graders would actually read a book of this length, they'd only read the salacious parts, and that would diminish the book's potential worth.The novel is a probing, gripping immersion into what's called "The Hidden Curriculum" by some educators, and any teacher worth his or his salt knows that the things that go on during a school day, from the ride on the bus to the times between classes, to the times in classes spent with an unobservant or biased teacher, to the lunch break, to the gym class (a real nightmare for many) to the afterschool activities, to the dances, whether attended or not, to participation in team sports and every other facet of life for a child involved in a school other than the actual teaching moments, often have more of an impact on students than their "education." Picoult nails it, absolutely.In my opinion her books are, for the most part, excellent, thoughtful and show a keen intelligence. Those who accuse her of being a "niche" writer are incorrect, in my opionion. It has been said by some reviewers that she writes to a particular audience...that's why book sellers group novels into categories.....I would venture that few people, no matter what their regular read of choice, would not be moved by this book. We can all relate to the school experience, no matter where we went. Some of us, myself included, may have gone to a school with strict discipline and heads up teachers who intervened when they saw bullying. It astounds me when I hear friends who are still teaching tell what kids do and say in class without repercussions, and I was enraged when my granddaughters told me students in their classes were telling teachers to go.......themselves. I asked what happened, and they said the teachers pretend not to hear. One wonders if when they do complain if they're getting administrative backup. Allowing students not only to bully each other, but school staff is a recipe for disaster. I heard Condoleeza Rice asked the question, "What do you perceive as the greatest threat to national security?" She answered, "Our educational system." When we forbid the teaching of values (as I was told as a teacher) and refuse to intervene in bullying of whatever form it takes, there can only be an unhappy outcome. Not only can it create school shooters, but it creates a daily atmosphere of anxiety for the kids who just want to live a normal life, free from fear.I don't know if Picoult meant the judge in the story to be an unlikeable character, but I viewed her with contempt. A single mother has a hard job, I know, I was one for several years. But any mother who allows a 16 year old girl to go out with her boyfriend with no restrictions as to what they're doing as long as he has her home by midnight, then she goes to bed, leaving her daughter and her boyfriend alone downstairs until he feels like leaving, which is usually at three o'clock in the morning, is asking for trouble. And why weren't his parents demanding accountability? The message that comes through loud and clear in this book is that the adults in this story were every bit as responsible for the tragedy as the bullying kids and the shooter. The book is a wakeup call. Let's hope the recent New Hampshire events help cast a proper light on the whole scene.

I had not read any of Jody Picoults books, and this was my first, and Iwas drawn in and I must say, this book is probably one of my favoritebooks I have ever read, and I'm a hard core reader.The nineteen minutes is the time that was spent when a kid when on a shooting spree in his high school. It was Columbine and all the others all over again. In fact I was reading this when the horrible massacre atVirgina Tech took place.The most amazing thing in this book, is that you read steadily about theboy that finally does the shooting, the bullying he'd endured his wholelife, a friendship with a girl when he was a child that is still a prominent figure in this book, her relationship with her mother who isa judge, and even a surprising romance in the midst of all this sadness.You feel the parents of the shooters immense pain as much as you feelthe sadenss of the murdered children. You learn about the parents of the shooter and the dynamics of their family and how this shattering eventMAKES them re-examine everything they thought to be true.The wonderful and complex relationship between the female judge and herdaughter. The policeman in this small town who's pulled into thisnightmare, and how it affects him and everyone else involved.There is an investigation, interviews, flashbacks of the shootings, up to the minute it happens, and a trial, with the defense attorney of the shooter trying to save this kids life. You don't feel sorry for the kid who did this, but you understand him more and that may help us understand when someone else does this.This book has everything in it, mystery, a twist that will surprise you,sweet romance, violence, and a real look at what we all have been through when trying to fit into school, with the rules of popularity, and the need to fit in, wonderful looks at relationships, of mothers and sons,and mothers and daughters, and so much more you have to read to understand. This book has so much in it, there was not a slow page inthe book. I didn't want it to end, and I'm usually more of a mystery reader than anything else, and this book had a little bit of that andSO much more. Its a fascinating, unputdownable book. I was sad when the book ended because it is a treasure. Jody Picoult has a way with words that make you feel like you could be that character.If you want a great summer read, this one is the one to take on vacation,and just enjoy this writers talent. This book is like no other book I'veever read, and I loved it so much. I hope she keeps writing aboutthings that ARE in the headlines now, because nobody does it better.This is also a GREAT book for a book club, my Moms book club read it andloved it also. I haven't talked to anybody that didn't just love it.I have ordered more of Jodys books because she is an amazing writer.Get this book, you will not be disappointed.Sincerely,Jill C. [email protected]

In another superb novel, Jodi Picoult zeroes in on the tragedy of school shootings and the youth culture that gives rise to it. The truth is much more complex than that statement; Luckily delves into the intricacies of the adolescent psyche and the tragedies that may grow out of bullying. This is another emotionally difficult read, but well worth the struggle