I wasn't sad really. Well not for Peter, maybe for Lacey and his dad. I think for Peter is was just an ending, and one that he could finally control for himself.
I think he felt he finally had someone who may have cared for him, Josie, and that before he didn't want to do it alone. That he finally was at peace enough with himself that he was ready to stop the pain and anguish that he felt his entire life.

I agree, it was heartbreaking, even though Peter would be at peace. It was so final. Like Syren, I also thought of Peter's parents.

There was no other ending to Peter's story, but it still made me sad.

...I should have included it -- I've been a bit frazzled this week -- thanks!

I did get the impression that he was going to die, and rather than feeling like a "loose end tied up" it made me extremely sad. As I've mentioned before, the book took on so many topics and back stories (in our discussions I didn't even get into Peter's parents' relationship, for example) that I sometimes felt major events were rushed through and I felt that way about the ending. Alex a year later being pregnant, Peter presumably dead -- everything "tied up nice and neat" for the books's sake rather than the story's sake, IMO. Tackling such a huge and complex story has got to be a challenge, so in a way I understand.

Yes, I did also.

Ok, I finished the book last night.

1. I knew there was something she was hiding, but I didn't think that she was the shooter. Or rather, I didn't really take the time to think about what the something was. After reading it, I wasn't surprised at all. I think there was plenty of background that pointed to her being stuck in the situation. Clever that the author used the battered woman syndrome. Throughout the book, it seems that Josie was sympathetic to Peter, but just not strong enough to stand up to the "in" crowd. So I think she looked at Peter as a could be friend.

2. I'd like to think that my kids would say something to someone, but maybe not immediately. And it happened so quickly after their conversation, I don't think there was time.

3. Don't use email for really important personal things.

4. No, I never felt that.

5. As I mentioned in #1, I think that the author was trying to make a point that the two issues are similar. While I can understand the defense, I don't think Peter should have gotten off, and am glad he didn't in the book. Two wrongs don't make a right. It is still wrong to kill someone.

5b. I found myself thinking the same thing, that he was a gutless wonder. I found myself feeling that way about Josie sometimes too, when the author referred to her being manipulated and controlled by Matt. Not sure what Peter could do though, once he got to High School.

6. No, I feel no different about it.


Surfkitten summer sig shop 2008

1. Were you surprised by the book’s twist, with Josie shooting Matt? Did you feel enough background had been established to make it feasible, and why do you think she didn’t shoot Peter?

No, I wasn't surprised by that time, because I think the background was leading up to that point. I think she didn't shoot Peter as a sad (wrong) way of making all the years she wasn't his friend up to him. I think she felt some of the blame because she choose popularity over the real friendship she had with him.

2. What do you think Peter’s friend should have done when he came in contact with him in the parking lot and Peter told him to stay out of school that day? If you have children, what do you think they would do? Does he deserve a measure of “blame”?

I think he should have told someone that something was going to happen, but I also think that most of the adult wouldn't have listened because he too was one of the unwantables like Peter. I would hope that both of my children would tell someone, anyone instead of going home, especially if they knew the person like Peter's friend knew him. Yes, I think he does, I also think if this was a true story he would live with that for the rest of his life, that he could have tried to stop it.

3. When Peter turns to an adult (for what feels like one of the only times), asking for advice about love the resulting letter becomes the lynchpin of his humiliation and actions. What do you think the author was trying to say here?

I am not sure what she was trying to say, but I got the feeling that she was trying to show that no matter what he did, even when he followed what a trusted adult told him, it didn't matter in the end. That everything turned to just being something to use against him. I also think while it may have been the first time he relied on an adult he had learned at an early age that the ones closest to him couldn't help him or protect him.

4. Both mothers in the book had demanding careers, and Alex was a single mom as well. Do you think the author was trying to make a statement about working women and their ability to parent?

I think that while she may have been, it was more about parents in general. Sometimes at the end of the day it is hard to put the focus on the child, who needs it, instead of maybe interacting with them on some level. I have been a single mother and worked and went to school, and I think my child is well rounded and very smart and happy. I think if she was trying to say something it was more of what not to do. When one becomes a part by whatever way, they make a choice to no longer place themselves first, the child will always be the main priority and I think these two families may have had that a bit lopsided.

5. Did you feel post traumatic stress syndrome was a reasonable defense for Peter? How do you think his experience of endless bullying is similar to or different from that of an abused spouse?

I absolutely believe in battered women syndrome. I was an abused woman, and I can say that there are times when all rational thought goes out the window and you just try to make it by any means you can. I also feel that PTSD wasn't the right diagnosis, that if anything he was similar to battered women syndrome. I want to say more, but really do not have the time to get into it, maybe I will come back. One thing for sure that I know is that I believe in it, because I lived it. The man I was with tried to kill me several times and left me physically scarred for the rest of my life. I know for a fact that had I not gotten pregnant I would have never had the strength to leave, to say there is more here than me, and one of us would have ended up dead. I know beyond a shadow that that someone would have been me. But I wonder when I hear about other women if I would have been one to finally see a way out, a way to get away for good by only taking his life, so that I could have mine. All I know is I am glad I had a very firm family that he feared greatly.

5b. In some ways, the endless bullying of Peter made me dislike him after a while – sort of a “gut reaction.” Did you have this response, and was there something that he himself could / should have done?

No I did not have that feeling, but I know that sometimes when people see everyone dislike someone, for whatever reason, without knowingly they automatically feel a dislike for them. I think it is like a learned reaction. You see it over and over and over, that eventually you feel the same emotions that the others feel.

6. Did this book make you feel or think differently about incidents of school violence? What did you feel the author was posing as the root cause(s) and what are some possible solutions you’ve heard of, or would propose?

I feel that school violence is very tragic and sad and that many times there are more victims than just the ones who were hurt or died. I think the author had many root causes she was projecting, as I think there are many reasons that add up to create one big thing. I think that the only solution is to create a school environment where everyone is equal. Where no type of bulling is accepted at all. This includes even the slang sayings like, "That is so gay." School should be a place where children go and feel safe in every-way and bulling takes on many forms. A zero tolerance policy would have to be in place and strictly enforced. I also think uniforms would be a great place to start. Simple ones without name branding, including shoes. This would help with removing some of the social status stigma that is prevalent. When I was younger I did not feel uniforms were a good idea, but I have noticed that mostly the kids who do get teased relentlessly were the ones who do not have the higher priced stuff, or clothing. I think while it may not eliminate it it would help overall.

1. Were you surprised by the book’s twist, with Josie shooting Matt? Did you feel enough background had been established to make it feasible, and why do you think she didn’t shoot Peter?

I was surprised-while I felt Matt was bullying and abusive I never expected her to go that route. I didn't think she would be able to shoot either one of them. When she shot Matt I thought HOLY CRAP! As to why she didn't shoot Peter, well, they had been friends, she knew him and must have felt that he was driven to what he did.

2. What do you think Peter’s friend should have done when he came in contact with him in the parking lot and Peter told him to stay out of school that day? If you have children, what do you think they would do? Does he deserve a measure of “blame”?

His friend should have told someone, called someone, something! But I don't think he really believed that someone he called a friend would actually do something like that so he failed to act.

3. When Peter turns to an adult (for what feels like one of the only times), asking for advice about love the resulting letter becomes the lynchpin of his humiliation and actions. What do you think the author was trying to say here?

I think it was just a device to set up the huge humiliation.

4. Both mothers in the book had demanding careers, and Alex was a single mom as well. Do you think the author was trying to make a statement about working women and their ability to parent?

Not sure.

5. Did you feel post traumatic stress syndrome was a reasonable defense for Peter? How do you think his experience of endless bullying is similar to or different from that of an abused spouse?

I waver on this. I think there must have been other mental issues that added to the events at school to make him do what he did, because there are plenty of kids that get bullied that don't run into school killing people. On the other hand, I have not experienced the stress of daily humiliation and taunting, the physical and verbal abuse that takes such a toll that you'd do anything to make it stop.

5b. In some ways, the endless bullying of Peter made me dislike him after a while – sort of a “gut reaction.” Did you have this response, and was there something that he himself could / should have done?

I wondered why he didn't ask his parents to send him to a different school. If he did maybe I missed it.

6. Did this book make you feel or think differently about incidents of school violence? What did you feel the author was posing as the root cause(s) and what are some possible solutions you’ve heard of, or would propose?

The school did not have a plan in place. It was mentioned in their policy but they had no real way to address it. Peter's feelings of hopelessness escalated to where he couldn't take it anymore. I'd like to think most schools do have a way to handle this, although seeing how some operate I am not confident in that-one of my friends did send her son to a different school after the principal failed to step up and confront the bullies that were bothering him.

Great questions, smokeysmom! Thanks for hosting this book!

I have at home beeing bullied. By outsiders who dislike me. They have deficated on my property, numerous times, urinated on my property, numerous times. And this was AFTER going to authorities who said there wasn't much they could do. Until you have had this happen, you can't imagine what goes through your mind. This happened for over a couple of years of my life. The last time it happened, I had finally had enough and was ready to buy a gun, sit outside of my house every single night and wait for the guy to show up again. And I was fully prepared to use the gun. Luckily, GF wouldn't let me buy the gun. I had those feelings after just a bried period of being bullied. I can now imagine how a lifetime of being bullied would be enough to push someone into this. Especially a child. There is a point where rational thinking goes out of the window and you just for one moment want to feel at ease and feel safe. And you will do just about anything for that to happen. If that means killing the bullies, then so be it. Terrible? Absolutely. Understandable? Now that I've been there, yes? Yes, uderstandable.

An Arkie original.