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175th out of 254 books
—
997 voters
I Swear
by
Lane Davis (Goodreads Author)
Who’s to blame when bullying leads to suicide? A gripping exploration of crucial importance seeks answers in and out of the courtroom.
After years of abuse from her classmates, Leslie Gatlin decided she had no other options and took her own life. Now her abusers are dealing with the fallout.
When Leslie's parents file a wrongful death lawsuit against their daughter's tormen...more
After years of abuse from her classmates, Leslie Gatlin decided she had no other options and took her own life. Now her abusers are dealing with the fallout.
When Leslie's parents file a wrongful death lawsuit against their daughter's tormen...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
September 4th 2012
by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
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I swear good reads book report
Lane Davis’s purpose in writing her novel, I Swear, is to educate the readers about bullying and the types of effects that it has on people. I Swear offers many emotions to the reader. There is anger, relief, pain, sadness, and many more. There are many different messages that are being conveyed in this novel. Many of which teach good lessons to the readers. I Swear is different from most books; it has real life situations that some people can relate too.
There are s...more
Lane Davis’s purpose in writing her novel, I Swear, is to educate the readers about bullying and the types of effects that it has on people. I Swear offers many emotions to the reader. There is anger, relief, pain, sadness, and many more. There are many different messages that are being conveyed in this novel. Many of which teach good lessons to the readers. I Swear is different from most books; it has real life situations that some people can relate too.
There are s...more
Macie blames Leslie’s parents; Jillian was Leslie’s best friend not too long ago; Beth swears she didn’t start the rumors; Katherine insists she’s not involved; Jake loved Leslie so much he hurt. But Leslie has killed herself – and no one will admit to pushing her over the edge. (jacket)
There is a good deal of blame to go around here. But, like in Thirteen Reasons Why, (view spoiler) Leslie w...more
There is a good deal of blame to go around here. But, like in Thirteen Reasons Why, (view spoiler) Leslie w...more
As a high school teacher, I found this novel both disturbing and potentially very accurate.
Leslie has been cyber-bullied as well as bullied at school for the last three years. And she is done! She goes out to her mother's car with the intention (or at least, that is what she tells herself) of driving off to Portland to stay with her aunt. Instead, she sits in the car as is runs in a closed garage.
The impact of her death on those who bullied her is the main story. The characters are very real, v...more
Leslie has been cyber-bullied as well as bullied at school for the last three years. And she is done! She goes out to her mother's car with the intention (or at least, that is what she tells herself) of driving off to Portland to stay with her aunt. Instead, she sits in the car as is runs in a closed garage.
The impact of her death on those who bullied her is the main story. The characters are very real, v...more
Wow! What a story. Bullying and Cyberbullying are certainly not new topics, but this story was told with such emotion, honesty, and realism you couldn't help but be dragged into the story and into the lives of the characters. The unfolding of the bullying that leads to Leslie Gatlin taking her own life is intregue at its best. Macie Merrick, the ring leader and puppet master, is pure evil. You have to say, she learned from the best, her father-the senetor. Macie is the perfect villian. And she k...more
I sat down, trialing this book, wary, because I am not a bully book person. I’m too feisty for it and they usually just anger me. What got me? 30 pages in Jake learns of Leslie’s suicide and there was something so raw and honest in the reaction, that it gutted me. Strangely enough, Jake stayed my tried and true favorite character throughout the whole book because of this honesty.
For a book that only took me like 3 hours to read, it packed an insane punch. I teared up several times, boiled with a...more
For a book that only took me like 3 hours to read, it packed an insane punch. I teared up several times, boiled with a...more
This is cyberbullying at its worst. Mean girls on steroids. While the setting does not translate to every HS-MS situation (the queen bee is the daughter of a state senator and her power resides in that connection), the webs that are weaved and the snares that are set up are equal to anything ones sees in middle schools and high schools today.
Macie Merrick is evil incarnate, but it is important to note that she is a product of her upbringing and that we meet people like her in every walk of life....more
Macie Merrick is evil incarnate, but it is important to note that she is a product of her upbringing and that we meet people like her in every walk of life....more
I Swear was a really great, fast-paced read that hits home with a contemporary topic - bullying.
After being relentlessly bullied by the school "mean girls," Leslie finally reaches her limit and commits suicide in her parents garage. This is the opening that instantly hits readers with a great deal of force. It only takes those few pages (the only ones that we will get from Leslie's POV) to fall immediately in her corner.
From there on, each chapter is narrated by a few members of the clique th...more
After being relentlessly bullied by the school "mean girls," Leslie finally reaches her limit and commits suicide in her parents garage. This is the opening that instantly hits readers with a great deal of force. It only takes those few pages (the only ones that we will get from Leslie's POV) to fall immediately in her corner.
From there on, each chapter is narrated by a few members of the clique th...more
Richie’s Picks: I SWEAR by Lane Davis, Simon & Schuster, September 2012, 288p., ISBN: 978-1-4424-3506-3
“She finally knew one thing for sure: Even if she went to Portland, even if she drove a hundred miles an hour and didn’t stop until she was standing on Aunt Laura’s doorstep, she could never outrun this pain. It would never end, unless she ended it.
“Right now.
“Deep down inside, she knew that going to Aunt Laura’s would never do that. That was just the story she’d told herself to get her to...more
“She finally knew one thing for sure: Even if she went to Portland, even if she drove a hundred miles an hour and didn’t stop until she was standing on Aunt Laura’s doorstep, she could never outrun this pain. It would never end, unless she ended it.
“Right now.
“Deep down inside, she knew that going to Aunt Laura’s would never do that. That was just the story she’d told herself to get her to...more
Mar 20, 2013
Jenni French
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
age-5-grades-9-12,
genre-contemporary-fiction
This book is very similar to Thirteen Reasons Why. The first chapter opens with a character committing suicide, and the rest of the book follows various characters as an investigation is opened and everyone grapples with his/her role in the suicide. The chapters are narrated by five different characters, so the reader gets a variety of perspectives on the same situation.
First, I was intrigued by the concept of this book, and I thought the cover was well done. I have a couple of problems with th...more
First, I was intrigued by the concept of this book, and I thought the cover was well done. I have a couple of problems with th...more
This is a story about bullying and the consequences of such bullying. The very first chapter we meet Leslie, and follow her through the last few hours of her life. After that we follow along with Beth, Katherine, and Jillian the girls who bullied Leslie and Jake (Jillian’s twin brother) who loved Leslie as Leslie’s parents file a wrongful death lawsuit against the bullies that caused their daughter to take her life. I really enjoyed the rotating POVs of the girls and Jake. I thought it was very...more
One word: UH-Mazing.
Leslie, a senior in high school, commits suicide for reasons that become apparent throughout the book. The story is told in alternate points of view by the high school kids that bullied Leslie and one who simply loved her. You'll read about the trial and the memories of Leslie by each student involved; you'll learn about their fears, their anguish and the emotions that are left behind after an act like this has been committed. Lane describes every point of view imaginable: wh...more
Leslie, a senior in high school, commits suicide for reasons that become apparent throughout the book. The story is told in alternate points of view by the high school kids that bullied Leslie and one who simply loved her. You'll read about the trial and the memories of Leslie by each student involved; you'll learn about their fears, their anguish and the emotions that are left behind after an act like this has been committed. Lane describes every point of view imaginable: wh...more
It’s senior year and after being bullied non-stop for the past 4 years, Leslie has had enough. She gets in her car to leave, but decides instead to stay in the garage with the car running. This leaves everyone looking for answers – who is really to blame? Jake, the boyfriend, or Beth, the gymnast, or Katherine, the beauty queen, or Jillian, the former best friend, or Macie, who blames everyone else including Leslie’s parents. Told in flashbacks and depositions and conversations we learn the who...more
SPOILERS
The story begins with Leslie. She's just recieved an email that has her convinced that no one will miss her when she is gone. She cries a bit, and then gets into her mothers car. Her intentions are, supposedly, to go to her aunt's, but she never makes it out of the garage. As people find out about Leslie's death, there are many different reactions. Some are devastated, thinking about what they could have done to help instead of hurt. Some are shocked and hurt: How could she do this to us...more
The story begins with Leslie. She's just recieved an email that has her convinced that no one will miss her when she is gone. She cries a bit, and then gets into her mothers car. Her intentions are, supposedly, to go to her aunt's, but she never makes it out of the garage. As people find out about Leslie's death, there are many different reactions. Some are devastated, thinking about what they could have done to help instead of hurt. Some are shocked and hurt: How could she do this to us...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I SwearLane Davis
I Swear was a very influential book that made think of all the individual students in my school and kids in the world that experience bullying. I Swear discussed a situation in a high school where a girl named Leslie Gatlin took her own life after many years of being harassed by the students in her school. Leslie committed suicide in her car after breathing in car exhaust from her car. After passing away, her parents filed a report against her alleged bullies and decided to put...more
I Swear was a very influential book that made think of all the individual students in my school and kids in the world that experience bullying. I Swear discussed a situation in a high school where a girl named Leslie Gatlin took her own life after many years of being harassed by the students in her school. Leslie committed suicide in her car after breathing in car exhaust from her car. After passing away, her parents filed a report against her alleged bullies and decided to put...more
Dec 09, 2012
Sally Kruger
added it
Leslie has been dealing with vicious text messages, emails, and direct taunts and threats for longer than anyone really knows. Her former best friend Jillian has even joined Macie, Katherine, and Beth in making her life miserable.
At first Leslie thought Jillian's twin brother Jake might be her savior, but he is often more concerned about appearances than standing by his childhood friend, and going to her parents for help is completely out of the question. Her mother is more interested in what sh...more
At first Leslie thought Jillian's twin brother Jake might be her savior, but he is often more concerned about appearances than standing by his childhood friend, and going to her parents for help is completely out of the question. Her mother is more interested in what sh...more
I Swear
by Lane Davis
Review by Mary Grace Goettler
I don’t know what its like to be in high school or get bullied, but in I Swear by Lane Davis, it seems like a living hell. The book I swear, set in Westport, Indiana, is about a girl named Leslie who is bullied tremendously through high school. Finally having enough, she kills herself. The rest of the book is about how certain people are affected, and who is to blame for causing Leslie to take her own life.
I swear is told in different perspective...more
by Lane Davis
Review by Mary Grace Goettler
I don’t know what its like to be in high school or get bullied, but in I Swear by Lane Davis, it seems like a living hell. The book I swear, set in Westport, Indiana, is about a girl named Leslie who is bullied tremendously through high school. Finally having enough, she kills herself. The rest of the book is about how certain people are affected, and who is to blame for causing Leslie to take her own life.
I swear is told in different perspective...more
What I liked about this book is that it showed the true pain and sorowow kids go through when bullying goes a bit too far. What I absolutely hated was the way Macie acted about all of it. She didn't care one tiny lil bit Leslie died. She is even more heartless then Regina in the TV series Once Upon A Time. She is the most heartless character I have ever came across, but the sad thing is, that is reality. Some kids are like that, and I don't understand how and it just angers me so so so so MUCH.
M...more
M...more
The good news: this book presents an earthy, honest, and revealing look into cyberbullying. It is such an important topic to publicize right now, as it has become an epidemic in schools, including the ones I teach at. Davis creates stunning characters that show why bullies act as they do, and what happens when they go too far.
The bad news: sorry, bullied teens looking for help after identifying with Leslie--Ms. Davis offers you no further assistance. No government sites, no contact info, absolut...more
The bad news: sorry, bullied teens looking for help after identifying with Leslie--Ms. Davis offers you no further assistance. No government sites, no contact info, absolut...more
See full review here!
Wow. This book is terribly sad and really addicting. I had zero clue what this one was about because (like I always mention) I rarely read the descriptions of books, and this was no exception to that. It's an incredibly awful topic to cover, but Lane Davis does a fabulous job getting right to the point, weaving and spinning this tale into reality. This could be any of the children in our high schools. Bullying can happen to anyone at any time. A-holes like Macie need to some...more
Wow. This book is terribly sad and really addicting. I had zero clue what this one was about because (like I always mention) I rarely read the descriptions of books, and this was no exception to that. It's an incredibly awful topic to cover, but Lane Davis does a fabulous job getting right to the point, weaving and spinning this tale into reality. This could be any of the children in our high schools. Bullying can happen to anyone at any time. A-holes like Macie need to some...more
I read this book in ONE day! Absolutely amazing, great writng this is the Author's first book I hope more books are written. Raw, Gripping. Even though I am an adult I could totally relate to the story and characters. When I was in school "bullying" was teasing on the playgrounds and writing notes and snickers in the hallway, these days with technology the way it these kids have unlimited resources to tease and torment fellow classmates. I picked this book up at my local library just based on th...more
Spoiler Alert, you've been warned: you've been warned!I really like this book. When I read the prologue and I already started 2 like Leslie, she was so nice I didn't want her die.... Leslie, Jake & Josh were my favorite characters & I wanted Jake and Leslie together so bad. Every time Jake had flashbacks of them together I was like
I felt so bad 4 Jake cause he loves Leslie & he was the last person 2 c her alive & one of the last people 2 know she died. When Jake found out I was...more
I felt so bad 4 Jake cause he loves Leslie & he was the last person 2 c her alive & one of the last people 2 know she died. When Jake found out I was...more
God dammit. I'm going to kill someone. Why do authors have to goddamn end a book and leave so many unanswered questions? I'm really getting pissed off cause this is the third book in a row I've read that has done just that. I'm not saying it's a bad book though; it isn't.
The entire book was very thought out. I loved how the each chapter was a different point of view and helped tell the story a better way instead of just one person. Of course, not everyone got the happy ending that they wanted be...more
The entire book was very thought out. I loved how the each chapter was a different point of view and helped tell the story a better way instead of just one person. Of course, not everyone got the happy ending that they wanted be...more
I don't usually cry when reading, but this book had my eyes tearing up!
Leslie, a victim of bullying, has decided that it's gone too far and takes her life. What follows in the book is the different characters reactions and actions. This book showed evil and hate in its purest form, but it also showed goodness and love. This book is a must read for everyone!
(view spoiler)...more
Leslie, a victim of bullying, has decided that it's gone too far and takes her life. What follows in the book is the different characters reactions and actions. This book showed evil and hate in its purest form, but it also showed goodness and love. This book is a must read for everyone!
(view spoiler)...more
Bullying……it happens all the time at school, and that is what this book is about. The whole book is about how a group of girls, Jillian, Macie, Katherine, Beth & Krista were so mean to Leslie that they made her take her life. After she is dead, the girls think it is funny. However, it is not so funny when they all have to testify in court, b/c there is so much evidence on the computer that shows that these girls bullied Leslie to her grave. What will come out of this? Will any of these girls...more
Leslie has been bullied all four years of high school. One night she walks into the garage, starts the engine but doesn't open the garage door. She is found the next morning. The group of girls that bullied her quickly cover their tracks and even go as far as to start a suicide prevention group. Macie is the daughter of a politician and she knows how to spin a story. When the bullies get sued they rally together with the lie I swear we did nothing. But soon turn on each other and the truth start...more
This was a great book that explored the complexities of bullying. Jillian and Jake are twins, very close. Jillian and Leslie are best friends. Jake falls in love with Leslie. Macie is friends with Jillian and thinks that Jake should like her, not Leslie. Macie is the top of the A-list at school and she always gets what she wants. She begins a bullying campaign against Leslie, careful to cover her tracks and have her crew do the actual dirty work ex: she composes the weekly emails, but does it on...more
I really liked this book. No I loved this book. This kind of book makes you feel a range of different emotions from anger to sadness to rage to disbelief. When a book makes you feel all these emotions then you know its good and the author is a fabulous writer. This is the kind of book that stays with you months after you read it and you catch yourself thinking about it in the weeks after you read it.
The book is about the aftermath of the suicide of Leslie Gatlin. Leslie was bullied in school and...more
The book is about the aftermath of the suicide of Leslie Gatlin. Leslie was bullied in school and...more
My gut is still churning. Man. I guess the bottom line is, you can't expect much good to come out of a story like this, right? It's one of those things where you feel for Leslie, so much, and want to knock the other girls upside the head (or give them a taste of their own medicine) and then, the further you read, you see that maybe some of them have hearts *not* made of stone and well... ugh. And Leslie's parents!!!
I commented about it to Lovemuffin as I read, and at one point, when I was parti...more
I commented about it to Lovemuffin as I read, and at one point, when I was parti...more
(Review originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)
I Swear... If there is one word that I find perfectly describes this book, it's intense. Lane Davis managed to make me feel so many different things - anger, disgust, sorrow, hurt, surprise and relief. Any book that can prick my heart to a point where all these crazy emotions come out like a torrent is definitely a strong piece of work.
One of the best things about the this book is that the revelation of the truth takes place in a very gradual manner...more
I Swear... If there is one word that I find perfectly describes this book, it's intense. Lane Davis managed to make me feel so many different things - anger, disgust, sorrow, hurt, surprise and relief. Any book that can prick my heart to a point where all these crazy emotions come out like a torrent is definitely a strong piece of work.
One of the best things about the this book is that the revelation of the truth takes place in a very gradual manner...more
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Mar 22, 2013 03:13pm