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Hate List by Jennifer Brown







Hate List by Jennifer Brown is a YA novel about a girl named Valerie. Her boyfriend opened fire in their school after the two of them created a "Hate List." Valerie contributed to the list to deal with bullying she endured, but her boyfriend used it for a much more sinister reason.

Sex - Despite the mature content in this book, sex is not a huge theme.

Violence/Death - The school shooting scenes are very graphic, violent, and frightening. The main character's boyfriend was also obsessed with death and there are many flashback scenes about their discussions.

Bullying - One of the main themes is bullying in school. There are several detailed scenes involving bullying and even lives being threatened. 

Alcohol/Drug Use - Some characters do engage in underage drinking and drug use.

Language - Some strong language.

Final Note: Despite the violence in this book, it's very eye-opening when it comes to teenage bullying, violence, and suicide. Therapy is shown in a positive light, which can be encouraging to teens who may be hesitant to ask for help. Forgiveness and restored relationships are also main themes in this novel. These are all very real issues that teenagers deal with.

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