Nothing has been the same at Central High since the student shootings at PleasantValley High, fifty miles away.Tom begins to wonder what is happening to his school, his friends and even his father. His school implements new strict rules enforced by Dr. Willner, the grief and crisis counselor.And the large number of e-mails that the parents are receiving from the school seems to be having a curious, disconnecting effect on them.His friends are disappearing. He is worried. Black-eyed Susan Award nominee 2005-2006

Booktalk #2

The school shooting fifty miles away at  Pleasant Valley changed everything at Central High. The changes started with a new grief and crisis counselor who beefs up school security and institutes new rules that change daily. These new rules turn Central High into a place that is more prison than school. Students are searched in the morning as they enter school, and the rules cover everything from how you dress to what you read to what you listen to. Participation in all extracurricular activities began to require random drug testing, and it didn’t stop there. Before long students and teachers start to disappear. It seems that, if you don’t follow the rules, you may not be heard from again. “Class,” she said. “Here’s what we’re going to do. This never happened. Becca’s phone never rang. None of you heard it… No one will mention it, ever. Class, do I have your word on this?” “Yes,” said everyone at once…The next morning, when we got to social studies class, Mrs. Ridley wasn’t there (from pages 147 and 148). Mrs. Ridley is just one of many to disappear. The one thing that is glaringly clear is that the new grief and crisis counselor and his rules must be stopped, but the parents refuse to stand up to him. All the teachers and students who do disagree with him disappear. What will happen to the students of Central High? (Prepared by: Greta Flinn, SCASL Young Adult Book Awards)