Search - Nineteen Minutes

WOW! This book will pull at your heartstrings. If you are a teacher, if you have children, if you have been the victim of bullying or if you were a bully, this is a must read.

Fantastic book incredibly well written. Harking back to "Lord of the Flies," Picoult explores the dynamics of unsupervised group behavior among school children. It deals with all the themes that screech "inappropriate" for a young audience (F word numerous times, teen sex, violence, etc.) but it may be the most appropriate book for students and teachers and parents concerned with bullying and the related social dynamics. The story seems so well researched I had a hard time remembering that it is fictional. An expert witness for the defense of the Columbine-style shooter asks, (paraphrasing) "What is the most vivid memory you have of your school days? If you're like 95 out of 100 people, that memory revolves around your humiliation at the hands of a bully." (I have to paraphrase because my copy stays loaned out to fellow educators.) And what are the consequences of unchecked chronic bullying? At its most extreme: Columbine.

I've read a few Jodi Picoult books which have been a bit predictable. However, this book truly kept me engaged through the 450 pages. I had just about moved on from the author, but I will now be looking into move of her books. Enjoy!

It is amazing that the "19 minutes" all take place in the very first few pages of the book, yet Jodi Picoult still captures you for the entire story. It was a really good book that makes you look as small children on the playground differently, b/c you wonder how what happens to them now at this young age can impact them for their whole life.

I really enjoyed this book.

This book was captivating!! Loved it!

Ms Picoult has done it again with Nineteen Minutes. Each book i have read of hers always touches my heart and i am crying somewhere during the novel. This author has a way of describing and dealing with heart aches that so many of us have endured or watched or helped take care of. Beautifully written, Nineteen Minutes deals with the subject of bullying and is worth the time to read. If you enjoy heart touching, reality reads this one you may like also.