Hate List by Jennifer Brown

 

Valerie’s life is changed forever on May 2, 2008. Valerie’s boyfriend, Nick, went on a killing spree in their high school cafeteria targeting people who were on a hate list that Valerie and Nick created. Valerie tried to stop Nick, but was shot in the process and saved a follow classmate before Nick turned the gun on himself.   

After a long, secluded summer break Valerie has to start back at Garvin High School as a senior, feeling alone and guilty. Valerie has to figure out her feelings she has towards Nick, the boyfriend who she never thought would shoot fellow classmates. She has feelings of guilt and love towards Nick because she can remember the amazing times that they shared together. She is also feeling guilty because of the hate list affecting so many of her classmates in a devastating way. Valerie must also learn how to forgive. With the help of Dr. Hieler, and her newfound friend, whom was on the dreaded Hate List, Jessica, Valerie learns to forgive not only her, but also how to say good-bye to Nick, and come to terms with all of the victims of that fateful morning.

A story of hate, terror, evil, and the ability to forgive. Hate List was a book that left me angry, sad, happy, and in tears. The author, Jennifer Brown, wrote this story in such a way that I could relate to the characters in the story, I could see them in my life. I could feel the pain that Valerie felt, I have been called names, and made to feel like I was not wanted around. The hate and dislike that one feels towards another person during times of your life is also something that I could relate to. Even though we try to like everyone, there are just some people who we do not like. The love that was felt between Nick and Valerie, how they felt like they only had each other to rely on at times. I could also relate with the forgiving natures of some of the characters in the book, you cannot hold onto something ugly or it will tear you down.

            I love this quote in the book from Valerie, “We all get to be winners sometimes. But what he didn’t understand was that we all had to be losers, too. Because you can’t have one without the other.” This is so amazing because everyone is a loser at times no matter who they are. Losing helps you learn to be a better person.

No words can express just how much I LOVED this book. I had never heard of this book until I read the title on the reading list for Advanced Adolescent Literature. This book left me with wanting to know more about Valerie once the author ended the story. Did she travel and find herself? Did she fall in love again? Where is she now? I want these questions answered!

I loved this book, though I would not use this book in my classroom. I teach third graders and this would just not be an appropriate book to read with them, way to young.

Hate List had a powerful message about forgiving yourself, and moving on after tragedy. In our society we are unfortunately plagued with school shootings in all grade levels. In a high school setting (11^th or 12^th grade) this book could be powerful to teach students that hate is a strong word. Valerie did sum up hate perfectly with the quote, “People hate. That's our reality.” This is a powerful quote because hate will never go away, and all people need to understand that, but it’s the actions that hurt the most. Hate List could be used to teach students that actions matter, actions affect more than just one person sometimes. Hate List could also be used to help teach students about the reality of school shootings. I would use the book to familiarize students with real school shootings, and the impact that they have had in our society.

I loved this book, and I would recommend this book to mature audiences. I have found a new author in Jennifer Brown, and will be reading some of her other books.