I have not yet read Columbine by this author, although it is on my list. I have read #NeverAgain and A Glimmer of Hope. I watched the tragedy at Margery Stoneman Douglas unfold live with my first class of students at my current school. I remember watching my students' horror as they received updates that day and the next when the death toll was finalized. I remember how fired up my students, over a thousand miles away from this tragic event, were so fired up. We cancelled two days of regular American History class for the students to lead an impromptu forum. I set the rules of discussion and only moderated, keeping time for the students speaking. It was amazing to see them discuss policy and change and bipartisanship. My kids didn't care about red or blue those days. They cared about change. I believe this generation will be the one to bring that change. They've grown up expecting a gunman to enter into their classroom, church, or movie theater. They see the issue differently.

Dave Cullen does an excellent job of capturing the energy of the MSD students and the March for Our Lives students (many of whom are in both groups). The shooting event was described in the first couple of chapters, the shooter was never named, and most of the book is focused on the will of the students to continue on in the work of healing and activism. This is the first of the three books I've read where I feel like I got to really know the kids behind the March for Our Lives movement. I'm so glad that the book went beyond the Washington march. This wonderful piece of journalism shows the impact of the movement and presents the students' case that gun issues do not have to be red or blue and that they are not untouchable topics in a campaign. Cullen includes stories of how the movement solidified and created sibling movements across the country, expanding its base and activism to cover all gun violence, not just that in schools. But this also took a toll on grades, on timelines of college admission, and on mental and physical health.

These kids haven't stopped either. March for Our Lives is still going strong and still affecting change. With the two year anniversary of the shooting and the March approaching quickly, this is a timely and poignant book to read. It can be a difficult book to read at times, but we owe it to our students to listen to them and their peers, educate ourselves, and then act accordingly.

** For parents and teachers, don't let this book's size or scope intimidate you. Students can handle it and will find the information fascinating and engaging. It's important that we advocate grade-level nonfiction reading, and this empowering book is perfect for junior high and high school students everywhere. **