In Jodi Picoult’s newest novel, 19 Minutes, Picoult depicts a riveting picture of a community dealing with the aftermath of a school shooting. Although this is one of fifteen novels Picoult has written, 19 Minutes, is kept fresh by its realistic setting and by the duality of characters.
The storyline deals with seventeen-year-old Peter Houghton who is bullied by his popular schoolmates for his entire educational career, and because of this, ends up acting out in violence. On March 6th, 2007, Peter walks into his school and shoots 29 students, killing ten of them, send shockwaves through the small, wholesome community of New Hampshire. Critics acclaim this book to be one that should be read by all high school students because of its universal message and ability to open the minds of young readers everywhere. Due to the complexity of the issues in this book, readers can gain a vast amount of knowledge on where the line between good and evil is drawn or if the line exists at all. As Diane Leven, chief prosecutor of Peter says, “In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn, color your hair, watch a third of a hockey game. You can bake scones of get a tooth filled by a dentist. You can fold laundry for a family of five. Or, as Peter Houghton knows…in nineteen minutes, you can bring the world to a screeching halt.”
By Anna Miller, staff writer
