Inexcusable by Chris Lynch

Summary:
Keir Sarafian thinks he’s a good guy, even though he may have done some things that a good guy wouldn’t do. He doesn’t know why he did those things, but he knows that doesn’t mean he’s not a good guy. So why does his friend, GiGi, insist that he is not good? Why does she insist that he has done something so inexcusable, something a good guy would never do?
Inexcusable takes you along on Keir’s journey to understanding his actions. In his own words, he tells the reader how he ended up committing an inexcusable act and how things are not always as they seem.

Reaction:
I found the concept of self-deception interesting and thought provoking. It is easy for someone to justify their actions with good intentions as Keir did. I think his journey to self-awareness was hindered by his need to be liked, and by his family and friends who either helped him to justify his actions or failed to confront him about them. I believe his father was the biggest culprit in aiding Keir in his self-deception by constantly telling him he was a good guy. I wonder how his father will react to his inexcusable deed.

Classroom Extention:
In their journals, students would answer the question, “Was Keir a good guy?”, but from the view point of the opposite gender. Then, as a class, we would discuss the differences and similarities in their responses.