finished reading...

It's been awhile since I've read a book I really couldn't put down. This is one of those books. It's the story of Amelia--a sophomore in high school who seemingly has it all that dies in the opening of the book. Amelia's single mother, Kate, is driven to find out the why of Amelia's death. Is it as it seems--a suicide?

I'm excited to discuss this book with my reading group because there are so many layers: the story unfolds through a series of flashbacks which shift perspective from Kate to Amelia as we learn about Amelia's last days. The life of a teenager is examined through a variety of texts from known and unknown people, photos, blog posts, Facebook posts, secret clubs, and all the ways teens express themselves.

This book stirred me as a teacher and a maternal figure. Some of the characters were more fleshed out than others and there were some cliches that were easy.

It's an examination of relationships: mother-daughter, friends, and colleagues. It's an examination of teen life: school activities, cliques, bullying, and how technology shapes life.

Did I mention I couldn't put it down?