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We Say #NeverAgain: Reporting by the Parkland Student Journalists
A journalistic look at the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and the fight for gun control--as told by the student reporters for the school's newspaper and TV station.
This timely and media-driven approach to the Parkland shooting, as reported by teens in the journalism and broadcasting programs and in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas newspaper, is an inside look at that tragic day and the events that followed that only they could tell.
It showcases how the teens have become media savvy and the skills they have learned and honed--harnessing social media, speaking to the press, and writing effective op-eds. Students will also share specific insight into what it has been like being approached by the press and how that has informed the way they interview their own subjects.
Read by Melissa Falkowski, Eric Garner, and the Parkland Student Journalists: Suzanna Barna, Chris Cahill, Nyan Clarke, Einav Cohen, Daniel Cuervo, Ryan Deitsch, Richard Doan, Abby Dowd, Brianna Fisher, Zoe Gordon, Augustus Griffith, Jr., Sam Grizelj, David Hogg, Daniella Infantino, Zakari Kostzer, Jordyn Laudanno, Christy Ma, Lewis Mizen, Lauren Newman, Nikhita Nookala, Carly Novell, Andy Pedroza, Josh Riemer, Carlitos Rodriguez, Dara Rosen, Rebecca Schneid, Leni Steinhardt, Delaney Tarr, Kevin Trejos, and Daniel Williams
"One thing is clear: The Parkland students are smart, media savvy, and here to fight for common sense gun laws." --Hello Giggles
This timely and media-driven approach to the Parkland shooting, as reported by teens in the journalism and broadcasting programs and in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas newspaper, is an inside look at that tragic day and the events that followed that only they could tell.
It showcases how the teens have become media savvy and the skills they have learned and honed--harnessing social media, speaking to the press, and writing effective op-eds. Students will also share specific insight into what it has been like being approached by the press and how that has informed the way they interview their own subjects.
Read by Melissa Falkowski, Eric Garner, and the Parkland Student Journalists: Suzanna Barna, Chris Cahill, Nyan Clarke, Einav Cohen, Daniel Cuervo, Ryan Deitsch, Richard Doan, Abby Dowd, Brianna Fisher, Zoe Gordon, Augustus Griffith, Jr., Sam Grizelj, David Hogg, Daniella Infantino, Zakari Kostzer, Jordyn Laudanno, Christy Ma, Lewis Mizen, Lauren Newman, Nikhita Nookala, Carly Novell, Andy Pedroza, Josh Riemer, Carlitos Rodriguez, Dara Rosen, Rebecca Schneid, Leni Steinhardt, Delaney Tarr, Kevin Trejos, and Daniel Williams
"One thing is clear: The Parkland students are smart, media savvy, and here to fight for common sense gun laws." --Hello Giggles
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First published October 2, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
November 27, 2018
This book is a collection of articles by the Parkland newspaper class about various topics relating to their school shooting. It is interesting to hear their perspectives unfiltered by some other media source -- other than the publisher that is. This book is important though, especially if you do not agree with everything the Parkland students were doing in 2018. I am from the Chicago region and have my opinions on the whole gun violence thing, which has truthfully has nothing to do with this book review. It is also important to remember that the book is written by teenagers. For instance, I can't expect a high school student to have the same understanding of Tinker vs. Des Moines as I do (a professional librarian with a Master of Science in Information Science who is a card carrying member of the Freedom to Read Foundation) but it is most excellent that they know about the case. Additionally, the youthful tone of many of these articles is impossible to ignore. The every hero type articles reminded me of my old high school's student profile articles...only their stories were about unimaginable tragedy.
Something that was hard about this book for me is that the school very much saw this coming. It was speculated in the news and is reported on in more detail by the students here. More than one student writes about how security had been increased within the past month, very specifically Code Red / Active Shooter policy and drills. That is one of the multiple reasons many students thought the shooting was just a drill. I have shot 2 different AR-15s. They are big, heavy, and as many students mentioned, loud. The shooter had his rifle on his person and was let inside the school! To me, that is extremely disturbing. Gun laws are important but not letting armed strangers into a school is also important. To be fair, I don't know if Cruz brought his rifle in an actual rifle bag but I think it's relevant that kids know what a rifle bag looks like so they can be appropriately cautious. I was raised with liberal parents so as an adult when I was helping a friend move, I had moved his bagged rifle without ever realizing it was even a firearm. I think that is probably a problem. Knowledge is power, after all!
Lastly, I understand their point about not making Nikolas Cruz some sort of real big famous idol. I was in third grade when Columbine happened and since then Dylan and Eric have become romanticized cult icons in which people have gone as far as getting tattoos of their likenesses. There are songs about them too...it is some messed up stuff for sure. However, I do not think it is constructive to the idea of #NeverAgain to never again bring up the real, actual cause. The AR-15 was the murder weapon, yes. The guy would most likely not have been able to murder 17 people in 6 minutes without that gun (though that is not a impossible feat). I am not a fan of the argument that guns don't kill people, people kill people because I think it is a fairly circular statement and relocates all blame ever. But it was the guy. Without the guy this book wouldn't exist. I think the guy would be a messed up guy who committed violent crimes even if he never had the idea to shoot up his old high school.
For instance, Cruz physically attacked a prison guard in November 2018, which shows that he is a violent person without access to firearms, the internet, or any interaction with other humans. He is one messed up dude and from the sound of it he did not have the same privileged childhood and lifestyle that many of his peers had. Many students were not even surprised it was him and had previously joked that he would be a school shooter. The cops did not even seem surprised, as they knew him and his family from many, many previous 911 calls. That, combined with my previous point about the school's own awareness, are real big problems. Really big.
Overall, what I took away from reading this book is nothing about this is simple. It is not as simple as Democrat v. Republican. It is not as simple as state v. federal gun laws. It is not as simple as "mental health," whatever that even means. It is not as simple as the Parkland activists v. the NRA. The United States' overall relationship with guns is not simple at all and I don't think it will change much any time really soon.
Edit: This is just an interesting analysis thing. http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/MSDHS/Mee...
Something that was hard about this book for me is that the school very much saw this coming. It was speculated in the news and is reported on in more detail by the students here. More than one student writes about how security had been increased within the past month, very specifically Code Red / Active Shooter policy and drills. That is one of the multiple reasons many students thought the shooting was just a drill. I have shot 2 different AR-15s. They are big, heavy, and as many students mentioned, loud. The shooter had his rifle on his person and was let inside the school! To me, that is extremely disturbing. Gun laws are important but not letting armed strangers into a school is also important. To be fair, I don't know if Cruz brought his rifle in an actual rifle bag but I think it's relevant that kids know what a rifle bag looks like so they can be appropriately cautious. I was raised with liberal parents so as an adult when I was helping a friend move, I had moved his bagged rifle without ever realizing it was even a firearm. I think that is probably a problem. Knowledge is power, after all!
Lastly, I understand their point about not making Nikolas Cruz some sort of real big famous idol. I was in third grade when Columbine happened and since then Dylan and Eric have become romanticized cult icons in which people have gone as far as getting tattoos of their likenesses. There are songs about them too...it is some messed up stuff for sure. However, I do not think it is constructive to the idea of #NeverAgain to never again bring up the real, actual cause. The AR-15 was the murder weapon, yes. The guy would most likely not have been able to murder 17 people in 6 minutes without that gun (though that is not a impossible feat). I am not a fan of the argument that guns don't kill people, people kill people because I think it is a fairly circular statement and relocates all blame ever. But it was the guy. Without the guy this book wouldn't exist. I think the guy would be a messed up guy who committed violent crimes even if he never had the idea to shoot up his old high school.
For instance, Cruz physically attacked a prison guard in November 2018, which shows that he is a violent person without access to firearms, the internet, or any interaction with other humans. He is one messed up dude and from the sound of it he did not have the same privileged childhood and lifestyle that many of his peers had. Many students were not even surprised it was him and had previously joked that he would be a school shooter. The cops did not even seem surprised, as they knew him and his family from many, many previous 911 calls. That, combined with my previous point about the school's own awareness, are real big problems. Really big.
Overall, what I took away from reading this book is nothing about this is simple. It is not as simple as Democrat v. Republican. It is not as simple as state v. federal gun laws. It is not as simple as "mental health," whatever that even means. It is not as simple as the Parkland activists v. the NRA. The United States' overall relationship with guns is not simple at all and I don't think it will change much any time really soon.
Edit: This is just an interesting analysis thing. http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/MSDHS/Mee...
January 26, 2019
This is a hard book to rate. Of course, the stories of the Parkland journalists and all of their insight and passion they bring to this book is very inspiring and it brings many diverse perspectives to the gun control issue in a very unique and delicate way. My only complaint is the sometimes repetitive nature of the essays and the way the book itself seems to have very little structure, as the time jumps are sometimes confusing and non chronological.
February 24, 2019
My review is not going to be the most objective on Goodreads: MS Douglas High is in my district, and as a journalism teacher and adviser, I've taken advantage of many workshops offered by Melissa Falkowski, and look forward to learning more from her and from the excellent student journalists at her high school.
This book provides a lot of different things: first-hand accounts of the shooting, student written articles that appeared in the newspaper (whether the print or the online version is not clear), a look inside the student journalism room, and an impassioned defense of student journalism.
I remember the day after the shooting was my journalism day, so in addition to letting the students talk it out and ask questions about security, we also discussed the role of student journalism at a school and the responsibility to cover tragedy with professionalism, care and grace. It's sad that this is the kind of conversation that has to take place in the student journalism room of today. This book provides a great resource for that conversation.
This book provides a lot of different things: first-hand accounts of the shooting, student written articles that appeared in the newspaper (whether the print or the online version is not clear), a look inside the student journalism room, and an impassioned defense of student journalism.
I remember the day after the shooting was my journalism day, so in addition to letting the students talk it out and ask questions about security, we also discussed the role of student journalism at a school and the responsibility to cover tragedy with professionalism, care and grace. It's sad that this is the kind of conversation that has to take place in the student journalism room of today. This book provides a great resource for that conversation.
July 7, 2022
4.3 🌟
The newspaper and television production teams of MSD high school retell one of the most awful days in all of American history. 34 people shot. 17 dead. 17 injured. All devastating. To hear them tell their stories (I listened via Libby) is compelling and moving.
I also found it important. To hear them talk to us, the fear of being next and the horror of seeing classmates and teachers laying in pools of their own blood. The sheer terror of those minutes and hours to follow.
The newspaper and television production teams of MSD high school retell one of the most awful days in all of American history. 34 people shot. 17 dead. 17 injured. All devastating. To hear them tell their stories (I listened via Libby) is compelling and moving.
I also found it important. To hear them talk to us, the fear of being next and the horror of seeing classmates and teachers laying in pools of their own blood. The sheer terror of those minutes and hours to follow.
January 15, 2019
I rate this book 5 stars because not only is the story of the Parkland shooting survivors inspiring, but also truly heart-wrenching and so much deeper than I ever thought. On February 14th, 2018 at 2:20 PM, shots rang out in the stairwell of the Freshman Building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas School. With 17 dead after 6 minutes and 20 seconds of sheer terror, the students at MSD were left in shock. The void left open by the victims of the shooting was filled with movements started by the students and faculty members at MSD. Anyone that had an opinion or an idea to change the current world we live in, helped start the #NeverAgain movement and the March For Our Lives. Activism became part of the grieving process in an attempt to recover from this traumatizing experience that affected at least the 3,300 people of MSD. In this book, not only did the student journalists of MSD write about what happened during the shooting but also how activism has changed their lives, every single emotion that ran through the course of their veins, what it was like at the March For Our Lives, the surreal experiences they had like meeting Bernie Sanders and other well-known politicians, the political side of the shooting aftermath, and so much more. One of my favorite parts of the book is when Carly Novell, one of the student journalists, writes about the guilt she experienced when trying to balance the opportunities her and her colleagues received and the emotions they all faced. She said, "It feels unfair that seventeen voices were taken away for ours to be amplified," (Balancing Guilt With Opportunities, 161). She talks about how grateful she is to be alive and that she can have such rare experiences that so many people will never have but there's also obvious guilt within because she doesn't feel she deserves it. I believe the MSD students are doing so much for their cause but never thought that their emotions prevented them from writing and talking about the things that happened on Valentine's Day not spark it. Another thing talked about within the activism section of the book was the political views and perspectives throughout MSD. Clearly, not everyone in a student body of 3,300 people are democrats with a culmination of races and ethnicities so not everyone agreed on gun violence laws when it came to writing speeches and articles. This was interesting to me because the things that Republican students said during interviews were more sound than I thought and resonated with liberal ideas as well as some of their own. I was surprised that some of these Republican voices were so open to new ideas. So many thoughts written in this book struck me in some way as something that could potentially change the world today. The Parkland shooting was a devastating event that without a doubt no one could have seen coming but what shocked me even more was how strong the MSD students stayed through the duration of their grieving process. This book was excellently written and hit so many topics like activism, emotions, extraordinary acts, and how each and every surreal experience has changed these innocent peoples lives.
May 2, 2019
This book is quite a difficult book to give a rating to due to the sheer emotion that this book is filled with. It is more like a bunch of stories/articles put together into a book. The book does these awkward jumps at times which can confuse you which is why I don't give it a higher rating. The stories also seem to get a bit repetitive at times, but each student has a different personality which helps give a different outlook on what has happened.
January 30, 2019
I enjoyed this book and I imagine it can be very impactful to young readers. As a future educator, it was frightening to read, but felt necessary in today’s world of violence and political division. I particularly enjoyed the focus on activism beginning at a young age and the exploration of trauma. I found some of the essays a little repetitive, but overall a good collection!
January 8, 2021
I listened to this. I was so.impressed with these students. It was interesting hearing their personal take onnthe events anf journalism.
October 26, 2018
As this book was written by students of Parkland you get an up close and personal view of the shooting. It is a very moving read.
October 26, 2018
What happens when journalism students become the story? We Say #NeverAgain explores that topic with essays by students affected by the mass shooting event at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HIgh School. The book includes emotional reactions from student journalists, first person accounts of their experiences as activists, as well as stories of individual acts of courage on the day of the shooting. One student writes effectively about the No Notoriety campaign, which MSD journalists followed (No Notoriety campaign refuses to give any attention to the shooters). Many students write about their responsibility to work to stop gun violence by sharing their story with the media, but also the online bullying by Internet trolls they endured as a side effect. As Rebecca Schneid said "do these people think this is an appropriate way to speak to another human, let alone a teenage survivor of gun violence?" #NeverAgain brings the horrific reality of the tragedy to life while also effectively documenting the emotional aftermath. Multiple perspectives on the March for our Lives are also included; that students planned and executed the event mostly on their own is still astounding to me. Perhaps the best part of this book is the impassioned argument by journalism teacher Melissa Falkowski for independent student journalism programs in every high school in the country. As she says "Teaching students to think critically and question decisions from their 'government' forms the groundwork for them to apply those skills later within American society." Certainly this book is an example of how her journalism program has "empowered" her students to "use their voices, training, and experience in a way that captures national attention and facilitates change."
Includes links to original reporting by the MSD newspaper and TV news station, biographies of all the student contributors, as well as advice on becoming a student activist, using social media to promote your cause, giving a good interview and contacting your elected representatives. Probably best suited for browsing and not reading cover to cover, this book is nonetheless an essential purchase for any school looking to promote responsible student journalism, as well as schools looking for more books about student activism.
It feels disjointed at times and the writing quality varies greatly from account to account. It might be best suited for browsing.
Includes links to original reporting by the MSD newspaper and TV news station, biographies of all the student contributors, as well as advice on becoming a student activist, using social media to promote your cause, giving a good interview and contacting your elected representatives. Probably best suited for browsing and not reading cover to cover, this book is nonetheless an essential purchase for any school looking to promote responsible student journalism, as well as schools looking for more books about student activism.
It feels disjointed at times and the writing quality varies greatly from account to account. It might be best suited for browsing.
December 18, 2018
The MSD students were already my 2018 People of the Year because of the mature way they handled the trauma of having seventeen of their classmates and teachers killed in still another school shooting. Now their book is competing with Michelle Obama's and a few others for my favorite of the year. Often when I read books by much younger people who are trying to give their readers advice, I can become annoyed because I think they need my advice. But these high school students have experienced a trauma that I haven't. Although I know I will not have to deal with a school shooting because I'm retired, as long as I live in gun-loving America, I can experience a shooting in a public place. I appreciated the tips that these student journalists shared not only on how to handle the PTSD that comes from such trauma but also how to handle interviewers and even how to talk to politicians (I know how to tweet to them already). However, my favorite articles in this book of outstanding journalism were the ones written by Andy Pedrosa and Daniel Cuervo. Pedrosa, like several other MSD journalists, described his emotions as the events were happening while Cuervo took a broader view of the change that came after February 14, 2018. I hope to be reading their articles in NEW YORKER, VANITY FAIR, or maybe some new, cooler magazines that they have created in the not so distant future.
November 7, 2019
We Say #NeverAgain by Melissa Falkowski and Eric Garner, 246 pages. NON-FICTION. Crown Books (Random House Children’s Books), 2018. $17.99
Language: PG (5 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
The teachers and students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School went through a life-altering experience on Valentine’s Day 2018: a school shooting in which nearly 50 people were injured or killed. In the articles written by the Parkland student journalists, they offer their perspectives on reporting what happened, the surprising backlash they received, and how things must change for the future.
In fifty articles, these students talk about the tragedy, the blessings, and the confusion that overlays everything since the day of the shooting. When I was reading the first article, which is a first-hand account of the day’s events, I cried. In my mind, I know that these events are real, but this is the first time a shooting has felt real to me. The most powerful articles to read were when the journalist students reported what they and their classmates did during the school shooting.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
Language: PG (5 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
The teachers and students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School went through a life-altering experience on Valentine’s Day 2018: a school shooting in which nearly 50 people were injured or killed. In the articles written by the Parkland student journalists, they offer their perspectives on reporting what happened, the surprising backlash they received, and how things must change for the future.
In fifty articles, these students talk about the tragedy, the blessings, and the confusion that overlays everything since the day of the shooting. When I was reading the first article, which is a first-hand account of the day’s events, I cried. In my mind, I know that these events are real, but this is the first time a shooting has felt real to me. The most powerful articles to read were when the journalist students reported what they and their classmates did during the school shooting.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
October 18, 2018
On February 14th, 2018, there was a school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Seventeen people --- 14 students, one teacher, and two coaches --- died that day. That moment mobilized the students of MSD. Students from the school began to speak out against gun violence, the National Rifle Association (NRA) and political leaders who were given support by the NRA. On March 14th, the MSD students and other students motivated by these students across America walked out in protest of gun violence, and on March 24th, the students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School led the March For Our Lives --- a national march to protest gun violence and the loose gun laws. Now the student journalists from Marjory Stoneman --- along with their teachers Melissa Falkowski and Eric Garner --- have written the book WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN to shed light on these issues.
WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN is a series of essays written by the Parkland student journalists. Each journalist writes at least one essay in this anthology on subjects like their passions, the shooting, extraordinary acts, the march, gun violence, politics and more. The book is composed of an introduction and three other sections. Each section focuses on a different topic --- the first focusing on activism, the second focusing on the school and the people and the third looking toward what is yet to come and how to prepare for it.
It is clear how hard each student worked on WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN. Each essay is clear and well written. Not only did these students manage to express themselves in a clear, calm manner, they also showed the raw emotion they felt through their essays. Their work is incredible. Melissa Falkowski and Eric Garner not only edited WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN, but they also contributed their own writing to the anthology. Along with the students, their contribution was beautiful and awe-inspiring.
WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN in whole is incredible. The MSD students make sure to show why gun violence is so horrible and why efforts need to be made to prevent it. In my opinion, the best way they explained this was not by directly saying why gun violence needs to be stopped. The best way the students did this was by showing it. The emotion in this book is palpable. WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN forces you to look in the eyes of victims of gun violence. It forces you to see the long-term effects --- not just immediate. The students make you see the full damage gun violence causes. They show the raw emotions that they felt while also managing to remain calm and collected and managing to bring hope for the future in their writing --- which makes this anthology so incredible.
I cried multiple times while reading WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN. I would not say that you could read this book in one day. I would say that in this time, reading WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN is so important. Not only does it shed light on gun violence, it also gives teens a voice in today’s society. While most people feel like teens don’t care, these students prove those people wrong by standing up and making sure everyone can hear their voices. WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN will almost definitely make you cry but will also definitely give you hope for the future. Everyone should read it.
WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN is a series of essays written by the Parkland student journalists. Each journalist writes at least one essay in this anthology on subjects like their passions, the shooting, extraordinary acts, the march, gun violence, politics and more. The book is composed of an introduction and three other sections. Each section focuses on a different topic --- the first focusing on activism, the second focusing on the school and the people and the third looking toward what is yet to come and how to prepare for it.
It is clear how hard each student worked on WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN. Each essay is clear and well written. Not only did these students manage to express themselves in a clear, calm manner, they also showed the raw emotion they felt through their essays. Their work is incredible. Melissa Falkowski and Eric Garner not only edited WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN, but they also contributed their own writing to the anthology. Along with the students, their contribution was beautiful and awe-inspiring.
WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN in whole is incredible. The MSD students make sure to show why gun violence is so horrible and why efforts need to be made to prevent it. In my opinion, the best way they explained this was not by directly saying why gun violence needs to be stopped. The best way the students did this was by showing it. The emotion in this book is palpable. WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN forces you to look in the eyes of victims of gun violence. It forces you to see the long-term effects --- not just immediate. The students make you see the full damage gun violence causes. They show the raw emotions that they felt while also managing to remain calm and collected and managing to bring hope for the future in their writing --- which makes this anthology so incredible.
I cried multiple times while reading WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN. I would not say that you could read this book in one day. I would say that in this time, reading WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN is so important. Not only does it shed light on gun violence, it also gives teens a voice in today’s society. While most people feel like teens don’t care, these students prove those people wrong by standing up and making sure everyone can hear their voices. WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN will almost definitely make you cry but will also definitely give you hope for the future. Everyone should read it.
March 20, 2019
So I just finished this book, and despite the fact that I feel like crying, I also have a lot of thoughts.
The first surround the book itself. The fact that these students and teachers managed to write so well about the horror they went through on that Valentines Day is impressive, as is the activism they’ve pushed for since then.
The teachers, the students… They went through hell. They’re making sure everyone knows that, and they’re doing it well. As they’re finishing high school and starting college or their lives, it’s not an easy time in general. The book hits a place very close to home for me when I worry about the fact that my siblings are still in high school.
Which leads to my second set of thoughts about gun violence and mass shootings.
The fact that gun violence is so pervasive in our country. We lose so many people every year to gun violence and many more people get hurt… Particularly in communities that don’t get the same coverage as majority white communities. (And this completely leaves out the conversation on how people of color shot by the police are treated)
We see so many mass shootings that we’ve become numb for it. I’ve actually said “I’m glad school’s out. There won’t be any school shootings for a few months.”
And I can’t explain how fucked up that is.
I remember pre-Sandy Hook, but I was still in school after it. I’ve been in lock down drills where they bang on the doors. My parents didn’t have to think as much about sending me to school and worry about me getting shot. In. A. School.
Now, I jump when I hear balloons pop on a hot day. I’ve had nightmares about being stuck in these situations. I worry about my brothers going to school. Because it’s not like they haven’t had gun threats before.
Do you know how fucked up that is?
The oldest is 16.
He’s the same age as the children who died in Parkland.
I have a sister who is four.
She’s almost the same age as the children that died in Sandy Hook.
I think about how pervasive this shit is, and I think about the fact that I’m just talking about schools here, but they happen elsewhere. Places of Worship. Clubs. Concerts.
It’s been seven years since Sandy Hook this year.
It’s been twelve years since Virginia Tech.
It’s been twenty years since Columbine.
And those are just the schools.
But we have done very little to make a change here. We see other countries start making changes the next day like in New Zealand, but it’s been almost twenty years since Columbine and our national government has done very little to make it stop.
We’ve had 71 mass shootings in 2019. It’s March.
So someone tell me why we don’t fucking change.
The first surround the book itself. The fact that these students and teachers managed to write so well about the horror they went through on that Valentines Day is impressive, as is the activism they’ve pushed for since then.
The teachers, the students… They went through hell. They’re making sure everyone knows that, and they’re doing it well. As they’re finishing high school and starting college or their lives, it’s not an easy time in general. The book hits a place very close to home for me when I worry about the fact that my siblings are still in high school.
Which leads to my second set of thoughts about gun violence and mass shootings.
The fact that gun violence is so pervasive in our country. We lose so many people every year to gun violence and many more people get hurt… Particularly in communities that don’t get the same coverage as majority white communities. (And this completely leaves out the conversation on how people of color shot by the police are treated)
We see so many mass shootings that we’ve become numb for it. I’ve actually said “I’m glad school’s out. There won’t be any school shootings for a few months.”
And I can’t explain how fucked up that is.
I remember pre-Sandy Hook, but I was still in school after it. I’ve been in lock down drills where they bang on the doors. My parents didn’t have to think as much about sending me to school and worry about me getting shot. In. A. School.
Now, I jump when I hear balloons pop on a hot day. I’ve had nightmares about being stuck in these situations. I worry about my brothers going to school. Because it’s not like they haven’t had gun threats before.
Do you know how fucked up that is?
The oldest is 16.
He’s the same age as the children who died in Parkland.
I have a sister who is four.
She’s almost the same age as the children that died in Sandy Hook.
I think about how pervasive this shit is, and I think about the fact that I’m just talking about schools here, but they happen elsewhere. Places of Worship. Clubs. Concerts.
It’s been seven years since Sandy Hook this year.
It’s been twelve years since Virginia Tech.
It’s been twenty years since Columbine.
And those are just the schools.
But we have done very little to make a change here. We see other countries start making changes the next day like in New Zealand, but it’s been almost twenty years since Columbine and our national government has done very little to make it stop.
We’ve had 71 mass shootings in 2019. It’s March.
So someone tell me why we don’t fucking change.
November 23, 2018
Back when I was teaching in the early-mid 90s, school shootings hadn’t become a “thing”. It was before Columbine. However, shortly after I left the classrooom to become a yearbook representative (likely just after Columbine) I remember talking to one of my yearbook advisers about a practice lock down drill she had just been gone through and the horror of the realization that teachers were being instructed NOT to open their classroom doors once they were locked to allow ANY students to enter for fear that danger lie in wait on the other side of the door. We talked about how we didn’t know if we would be able to refrain from opening our door if one of our students who we had just allowed to go the bathroom with a hall pass were banging on our door begging for re-entry in the midst of an emergency. But then again, what if opening the door to allow that student to enter also allowed a gunman to enter and exposed every one of our students to gunfire? What if the student begging for entry was your child?
Of course those were hypothetical questions for us at the time, but reading this book, brought those questions much closer to reality, especially the story Trapped written by Augustus Griffith, Jr. as he recounts his own experience of being locked inside a classroom and hearing the knock on the door and an unidentifiable student in the hallway “begging to be saved”. His “teacher silently shook his head, reminding us not to open the door. Terrified, our eyes never drifted from the door, and we could do nothing but fear.”
The horrorifying events that the students and faculty at Majorie Stoneman Douglas High School experienced on Valentine’s Day 2018 and the movement they launched in the aftermath are recounted from the unique perspective of the journalism students themselves in this beautiful account of survival and perseverance. It’s so fresh and the story is still unfolding but to capture the essence of their story practically in real time is a true testament to the power of student journalism at its best. It’s a must read for all high school journalism instructors and students. Well done MSD, well done.
Of course those were hypothetical questions for us at the time, but reading this book, brought those questions much closer to reality, especially the story Trapped written by Augustus Griffith, Jr. as he recounts his own experience of being locked inside a classroom and hearing the knock on the door and an unidentifiable student in the hallway “begging to be saved”. His “teacher silently shook his head, reminding us not to open the door. Terrified, our eyes never drifted from the door, and we could do nothing but fear.”
The horrorifying events that the students and faculty at Majorie Stoneman Douglas High School experienced on Valentine’s Day 2018 and the movement they launched in the aftermath are recounted from the unique perspective of the journalism students themselves in this beautiful account of survival and perseverance. It’s so fresh and the story is still unfolding but to capture the essence of their story practically in real time is a true testament to the power of student journalism at its best. It’s a must read for all high school journalism instructors and students. Well done MSD, well done.
August 18, 2019
I bought this book when it first came out. Knowing it's written by the students of Parkland told me I needed to read it. I started reading it this summer and I realized that for the first nine pages, where a perspective of that day is given, a teacher's perspective, I was barely breathing and had goose bumps everywhere. I've been slowly reading this book, taking breaks for days because it's so heavy, and I'm terrified that as a teacher, I could be one of the teachers writing or being interviewed, or worse. Sometimes I think "I just can't finish this", but then I think "I NEED to finish this." These students are sharing their voices of what they experienced.
This book is written by student journalists and their advising teachers that were there. I just finished part one, about their activism, and continue to think "things need to change." I started part two, titled "MSD Strong", read the first few chapters, and will be taking a break again. So far this section is about students' perspectives on February 14th, 2018. Again I found myself holding my breath and goose bumps everywhere.
This is a book that is heavy and will take me a long time to officially finish, but I will finish it. These students need their voices heard. I just continue to think "What will it take for things to change?" These students are standing up against gun violence, yet they had to lose 17 lives to really be heard. And are they really being heard? If they were, wouldn't things be changing?
I think everyone needs to read this--every American needs to read what happened from these students' words. I don't think we'll ever be able to understand why mass shootings happen. We won't even be able to understand how survivors feel unless we are forced to experience it ourselves. The closest I ever want to get to these tragedies is this book. Everyone needs to read this not to experience it, but to continue revolutionary change these students have started.
This book is written by student journalists and their advising teachers that were there. I just finished part one, about their activism, and continue to think "things need to change." I started part two, titled "MSD Strong", read the first few chapters, and will be taking a break again. So far this section is about students' perspectives on February 14th, 2018. Again I found myself holding my breath and goose bumps everywhere.
This is a book that is heavy and will take me a long time to officially finish, but I will finish it. These students need their voices heard. I just continue to think "What will it take for things to change?" These students are standing up against gun violence, yet they had to lose 17 lives to really be heard. And are they really being heard? If they were, wouldn't things be changing?
I think everyone needs to read this--every American needs to read what happened from these students' words. I don't think we'll ever be able to understand why mass shootings happen. We won't even be able to understand how survivors feel unless we are forced to experience it ourselves. The closest I ever want to get to these tragedies is this book. Everyone needs to read this not to experience it, but to continue revolutionary change these students have started.
May 31, 2022
TWs: school shooting, student & teacher death, PTSD, survivors guilt, bullying of survivors
Before reading this book, it's important to know what this book IS, and what it ISN'T. If you are looking for true crime details of the event itself, this may not be the book for you (if this is you, I'd suggest Parkland by Dave Cullen). However, if you want to learn more about the students from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School and how the processed their trauma and grief after the February 14, 2018 shooting that killed 17, then this book is exactly for you.
We Say #NeverAgain is a collection of writings by an array of MSD journalism students that reflect on their unique perspective of reporting on the tragedy while simultaneously living and coping through it. Readers learn about their experiences with dealing with the media, law makers, and the general public as they navigate their new normal. We get to see their experiences in organizing the March For Our Lives protests, as well as the creation of #MSDStrong, a documentary that highlights the activism of the students after the mass shooting.
The book is extremely compelling and well written. At times I would forget that it was written by high schoolers, because there's a level of maturity and professionalism in their writing that is not often contributed to teenagers. It is obvious a lot of care went into the creation of this book.
I do admit that I was hoping for a little more first hand accounts of that day. Peppered in are stories of Extraordinary Acts, which highlight MSD students and teachers heroic acts on February 14th. I felt these additions were the most impactful chapters within the book.
One thing absent from the book that I was hoping for was a spotlight memorializing each of the 17 victims lost during the shooting. Many of the pieces written mention them, often by name and with personal anecdotes, but I would have liked a section to read more about them.
Before reading this book, it's important to know what this book IS, and what it ISN'T. If you are looking for true crime details of the event itself, this may not be the book for you (if this is you, I'd suggest Parkland by Dave Cullen). However, if you want to learn more about the students from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School and how the processed their trauma and grief after the February 14, 2018 shooting that killed 17, then this book is exactly for you.
We Say #NeverAgain is a collection of writings by an array of MSD journalism students that reflect on their unique perspective of reporting on the tragedy while simultaneously living and coping through it. Readers learn about their experiences with dealing with the media, law makers, and the general public as they navigate their new normal. We get to see their experiences in organizing the March For Our Lives protests, as well as the creation of #MSDStrong, a documentary that highlights the activism of the students after the mass shooting.
The book is extremely compelling and well written. At times I would forget that it was written by high schoolers, because there's a level of maturity and professionalism in their writing that is not often contributed to teenagers. It is obvious a lot of care went into the creation of this book.
I do admit that I was hoping for a little more first hand accounts of that day. Peppered in are stories of Extraordinary Acts, which highlight MSD students and teachers heroic acts on February 14th. I felt these additions were the most impactful chapters within the book.
One thing absent from the book that I was hoping for was a spotlight memorializing each of the 17 victims lost during the shooting. Many of the pieces written mention them, often by name and with personal anecdotes, but I would have liked a section to read more about them.
March 14, 2019
This one is a 3.5 for me. I admire the teens from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School who took the school's tragedy and used it as a platform to advocate for change, inspiring thousands to leave their classrooms in protest of the continuing gun violence that seems to fill our streets and classrooms more and more frequently. But as is pointed out in a couple of articles and essays by the student journalists, shocking as the shooting of 17 students and teachers on Feb. 14, 2018 was, many students live their daily lives constantly at risk of such violence. Far be it for me to belittle what happened in Parkland, Florida, or Columbine, Colorado, but there are neighborhoods in Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, and New Orleans where shootings are a daily affair. I wish it hadn't taken so long for anyone to care and to take action. In the pieces that are presented here, the student journalists profile acts of heroism during the shooting, discuss the aftermath of the trauma, and share tips for becoming activists and getting heard. The gun control issue is rather complex, and both sides seem to be polarized and often unwilling to hear the other side out. Clearly, something must change, as most of these pieces make clear. I would have liked for some of the pieces to be contextualized and individuals in the photographs to be identified. Although the pieces are tied together loosely, tighter editing and contextual information would have resulted in a stronger collection. Still, I finished it filled with admiration for the students, their advisors, and fascinated with the balance in reporting the news while making the news. I'm sure many journalism teachers will find this book useful on many levels. Sadly, despite the #NeverAgain, there have been other school shootings since this one, begging the question as to what it will take to make all this stop.
April 7, 2020
We Say #Never Again reporting by the Parkland Student journalists was a very heartfelt book. This event that happened at the Stoneham Douglas High School and having students and teachers who we're living through this, report their stories on what happened and how it happened was very deep. This story does not follow one direct plot because it has many from each student and teacher that told their story of the shooting. This book is more than just what happened with the Parkland shooting. It is about hearing all the different teachers and students stories and how they turn this around and what they did. One section of the books that was titled balancing guilt with opportunities, was one of my favorite sections. The story told how even when these things happen you have to turn it around because there's a better side.
I think the book We Say #Never Again reporting by Parkland student journalists was very touching and inspirational. The book was good in a way where you got to hear people who went through this experience tell you, and not just news reporters. This book was also very inspirational in a way where a lot of the students stood up and said what they needed to say and were originally scared to. It shows that even in horrible situations there are good people and ways to make your community better from this with the certain people who stood up and said what they needed to. I think others should read this book because it is the type of book that makes you want to keep reading. Before I read this I heard the story of the Parkland shooting and knew it happened, but after reading this book I got a lot more information and different points of views. I think if you're the type of person that wants to speak up and won't you should read this book. It shows and gives you so much more confidence in yourself what you want to say that could help.
I think the book We Say #Never Again reporting by Parkland student journalists was very touching and inspirational. The book was good in a way where you got to hear people who went through this experience tell you, and not just news reporters. This book was also very inspirational in a way where a lot of the students stood up and said what they needed to say and were originally scared to. It shows that even in horrible situations there are good people and ways to make your community better from this with the certain people who stood up and said what they needed to. I think others should read this book because it is the type of book that makes you want to keep reading. Before I read this I heard the story of the Parkland shooting and knew it happened, but after reading this book I got a lot more information and different points of views. I think if you're the type of person that wants to speak up and won't you should read this book. It shows and gives you so much more confidence in yourself what you want to say that could help.
July 23, 2019
This is a very painful review to give because of the tragedy that surrounds the book. The Parkland shootings were devastating and I applaud the teachers who decided to give their students a platform from which they could voice their experiences. The book acts as a compendium of the Parkland journalists' various essays from the year following the shooting, some of which were published in national publications. I am not writing any of this to try to downplay the importance of the event or to silence the victims.
From the editor's opening (written by faculty advisors), the writing is cringy. There is very little beauty, complexity in style, or even variation in word choice. This thread continues with few exceptions for the remainder of the essays. Redundancy is also an issue, with several articles repeating material covered earlier in the book or, in some instances, earlier in the writer's own essay. The book could have been, and probably should have been, much shorter.
The heavy-handed sense of entitlement is sickening, quite frankly. For instance, there are a few essays that brag on the publication's ability to remain unbiased. They're written with such a condescending and clearly skewed view that I was prompted to check and make sure that the article wasn't intended to be satire. I get that they're only high schoolers, but if you plan on publishing a book of their work, you need to make sure the content carries weight. Their advisers owed it to their students to ensure that the book was properly edited and fact-checked. Unfortunately, the work falls woefully short of expectation.
From the editor's opening (written by faculty advisors), the writing is cringy. There is very little beauty, complexity in style, or even variation in word choice. This thread continues with few exceptions for the remainder of the essays. Redundancy is also an issue, with several articles repeating material covered earlier in the book or, in some instances, earlier in the writer's own essay. The book could have been, and probably should have been, much shorter.
The heavy-handed sense of entitlement is sickening, quite frankly. For instance, there are a few essays that brag on the publication's ability to remain unbiased. They're written with such a condescending and clearly skewed view that I was prompted to check and make sure that the article wasn't intended to be satire. I get that they're only high schoolers, but if you plan on publishing a book of their work, you need to make sure the content carries weight. Their advisers owed it to their students to ensure that the book was properly edited and fact-checked. Unfortunately, the work falls woefully short of expectation.
December 12, 2019
The book “We Say #Never Again” is about a drastic event that occurred on a February day in Parkland which affected many people's lives. It was one of the deadliest school shootings in American history and 17 people at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida lost their lives. It was reported by the Parkland Student Journalists that only could tell their own input of this event. Melissa Falkowski and Eric Garner were the editors and David Hogg and Delaney Tarr were the narrators. Crown Books for Young Readers published this book in 2018 at New York. This book is filled with lots of emotions from different journalists point of view. This book is a series of essays and each journalist writes at least one essay on certain kinds of subjects. The book is composed of an introduction and three other sections. Each section focuses on a different topic, the first focusing on activism, the second focusing on the school and the people and the third looking toward what is yet to come and how to prepare for it. The Parkland shooting was a devastating event that without a doubt, no one could have seen coming but was shocking how strong the students stayed through the whole grieving process of their classmates or teachers deaths. We all should give thanks to the students of Parkland for sharing their stories, using their platform to highlight these strong issues facing our schools, and sharing their journey in the spotlight. This is a valuable book that almost every teacher or student should have and could make them think more about how thankful they should be of their lives.
December 10, 2021
We Say #NeverAgain, written by Melissa Falkowski and Eric Garner, along with the Parkland student journalists, was published in 2018 in New York by Crown Books for Young Readers. This book is raw, inspirational, and empowering, and a great read for anyone who would like to become more educated on the topics of gun violence and mental health.
Days following the shooting, The Parkland student journalists were already aware that it was their duty to provide an inside view on the incident, “We have a responsibility as journalists to tell the story of what happened and the stories of those who have passed and were injured.” (10) They immediately began to work, documenting interviews capturing real emotion from the victims. They used social media to share their experiences with the world. Their main goal with the project was to raise awareness for gun violence, an extreme issue that has only gotten worse throughout the years. With diligence, these teens were able to turn their painful experiences into something meaningful-- by taking a stand against gun violence.
This book leaves the reader with a new perspective on school shootings by offering first person stories from victims, and is a great book for anyone interested in a future in journalism. These MSD teenagers went from writing for the school newspaper, to writing for the Washington Post by fighting for gun control whilst also expressing their appreciation for those lost in the shooting. We Say #NeverAgain is a compelling and influential book that is guaranteed to leave an impact on anyone who decides to read.
Days following the shooting, The Parkland student journalists were already aware that it was their duty to provide an inside view on the incident, “We have a responsibility as journalists to tell the story of what happened and the stories of those who have passed and were injured.” (10) They immediately began to work, documenting interviews capturing real emotion from the victims. They used social media to share their experiences with the world. Their main goal with the project was to raise awareness for gun violence, an extreme issue that has only gotten worse throughout the years. With diligence, these teens were able to turn their painful experiences into something meaningful-- by taking a stand against gun violence.
This book leaves the reader with a new perspective on school shootings by offering first person stories from victims, and is a great book for anyone interested in a future in journalism. These MSD teenagers went from writing for the school newspaper, to writing for the Washington Post by fighting for gun control whilst also expressing their appreciation for those lost in the shooting. We Say #NeverAgain is a compelling and influential book that is guaranteed to leave an impact on anyone who decides to read.
March 24, 2020
We Say #NeverAgain: Reporting by the Parkland Student Journalists and edited by Melissa Falkowski is one of those books that after that last page, you are truly inspired. This book demonstrates what you take for granted and how easily that can be taken away, as well as a couple people can start a ripple in protesting and make it into a huge wave. The book is in many different perspectives to show all sides of the story and personally what happens afterwards because no one takes in the tragedy the same. The student journalists go on with other students, teachers and administrators to protest gun laws and gun violence to make a positive change for not just themselves, but for America.
I really liked how there wasn't just one perspective, but many to make the plot more insightful and compelling.
The one thing that was not my favorite about this book was how short each journalist chapters were. I wish they could've gone a little more in depth with the plot, but overall it wasn't a sore thumb in my opinion.
I don't think anyone particular should read this because everyone should read it. This book shows the ups and downs of a schools culture in a nationwide tragedy. This book opens a new door of people coming together and standing up for what is right in this world.
I really liked how there wasn't just one perspective, but many to make the plot more insightful and compelling.
The one thing that was not my favorite about this book was how short each journalist chapters were. I wish they could've gone a little more in depth with the plot, but overall it wasn't a sore thumb in my opinion.
I don't think anyone particular should read this because everyone should read it. This book shows the ups and downs of a schools culture in a nationwide tragedy. This book opens a new door of people coming together and standing up for what is right in this world.
May 23, 2020
This book is divided into three sections, each with its own purpose. The first section was about the activism that rose up at MSD after the shooting. Many, many students and staff recount their role in interviews, reporting, and organizing the March For Our Lives. That part was interesting, but I honestly feel like, at 135 pages, it was a bit long. For readers with little knowledge of the tragedy that sparked the movement, you might struggle to even finish this section.
The second section is reporting about the many heroes who played a role in the Valentines Day tragedy. This section was honest and raw, and at times, was hard to read. This section provided the most details about the events of the day.
The last section could be titled “Make the World a Better Place.” It describes how kids can be instruments of change, not just about gun violence, but about whatever they’re passionate about. There are definitely lessons to learn in section 3.
Overall, this book was decent, but it was a bit dry in parts. Nonetheless, it is a story that needs to be told, and I’m glad I read it.
The second section is reporting about the many heroes who played a role in the Valentines Day tragedy. This section was honest and raw, and at times, was hard to read. This section provided the most details about the events of the day.
The last section could be titled “Make the World a Better Place.” It describes how kids can be instruments of change, not just about gun violence, but about whatever they’re passionate about. There are definitely lessons to learn in section 3.
Overall, this book was decent, but it was a bit dry in parts. Nonetheless, it is a story that needs to be told, and I’m glad I read it.
October 26, 2018
This impactful book collects a variety of short essays from the student journalists of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. All of the essays are thoughtful and well-crafted; and each highlights the personal experiences of a student during and after the tragic events of February 14, 2018. Some students wrote about the event as it unfolded, while others wrote about the after-effects of trauma and healing. Some students focused on student activism, #NeverAgain, and the March for Our Lives, and some reflected on the responsibility they felt as journalists to record, report, and help provide a voice to their fellow students' experiences, while still overcome with grief and trying to be professional and unbiased. This amazing collection reveals the heroic, resilient, and ultimately hopeful after-effects of profound tragedy. While it can (and should) be read as a whole, the format allows for it to be easily excepted for use in a variety of classes - health, journalism, photography, and civics to name a few.
I won a finished copy of this book from a GoodReads giveaway.
I won a finished copy of this book from a GoodReads giveaway.
June 3, 2019
Language: PG (5 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
The teachers and students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School went through a life-altering experience on Valentine’s Day 2018: a school shooting in which nearly 50 people were injured or killed. In the articles written by the Parkland student journalists, they offer their perspectives on reporting what happened, the surprising backlash they received, and how things must change for the future.
In fifty articles, these students talk about the tragedy, the blessings, and the confusion that overlays everything since the day of the shooting. When I was reading the first article, which is a first-hand account of the day’s events, I cried. In my mind, I know that these events are real, but this is the first time a shooting has felt real to me. The most powerful articles to read were when the journalist students reported what they and their classmates did during the school shooting.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
The teachers and students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School went through a life-altering experience on Valentine’s Day 2018: a school shooting in which nearly 50 people were injured or killed. In the articles written by the Parkland student journalists, they offer their perspectives on reporting what happened, the surprising backlash they received, and how things must change for the future.
In fifty articles, these students talk about the tragedy, the blessings, and the confusion that overlays everything since the day of the shooting. When I was reading the first article, which is a first-hand account of the day’s events, I cried. In my mind, I know that these events are real, but this is the first time a shooting has felt real to me. The most powerful articles to read were when the journalist students reported what they and their classmates did during the school shooting.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
February 3, 2022
I think the students did a great job on this book. It is a collection of viewpoints of the tragedy and what they went through to advocate for the stopping of gun violence. These students went from being victims of a tragedy to being called accused character actors of a fake story, to using the media to become famous instead of the fact that they were advocating for change from the nation.
I did find parts of this book that did drag a bit but it may be because I am not in journalism. There was also a lot of information on how to create a grass roots movement, and working with the media and I think I was hoping for a little less about reporting.
The students did get first hand accounts and being front and center at many events, as well as learning from professionals in journalism and media, meeting senators,etc. but I am sure that any of them would have given anything they had to not be a part of this in the first place. I think those who attack them would be good to remember this.
I did find parts of this book that did drag a bit but it may be because I am not in journalism. There was also a lot of information on how to create a grass roots movement, and working with the media and I think I was hoping for a little less about reporting.
The students did get first hand accounts and being front and center at many events, as well as learning from professionals in journalism and media, meeting senators,etc. but I am sure that any of them would have given anything they had to not be a part of this in the first place. I think those who attack them would be good to remember this.
January 17, 2019
This is an incredible book, written by some incredibly young people.
One of my favorite quotes from the book was "However, the unimaginable occurred, a concept of high school life we were not prepared for. Our word, our pages, our series-violated. What we'd meant to be our proud novels now became tattered tragedies. Over three thousand stories torn to ruin. Seventeen burned."
This book is a collection of essays written by students who were at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School at the time of the Parkland shooting. One of the biggest things to remember when reading this book is that it is written by high school students. Their writing is still developing at times. But even with that. It's amazing. Most of them are incredible writers who are able to use powerful words to describe everything they went through. It is well worth the read. It is a book that gives a person hope for the future.
One of my favorite quotes from the book was "However, the unimaginable occurred, a concept of high school life we were not prepared for. Our word, our pages, our series-violated. What we'd meant to be our proud novels now became tattered tragedies. Over three thousand stories torn to ruin. Seventeen burned."
This book is a collection of essays written by students who were at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School at the time of the Parkland shooting. One of the biggest things to remember when reading this book is that it is written by high school students. Their writing is still developing at times. But even with that. It's amazing. Most of them are incredible writers who are able to use powerful words to describe everything they went through. It is well worth the read. It is a book that gives a person hope for the future.
February 6, 2019
This book presents a journalists perspective of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Highschool shooting on February 14, 2018. It can be very overwhelming and highly opinionated. There are vulnerable scenes so, beware.
This breathtaking book is full of multiple writings from journalism students at the Highschool where the shooting took place. It gives so many details in that went on, on that tragic day and leads you through the paths of how the students rebuilt their community from shambles.
These students fought so hard, and are still fighting, for their safety and for their voices to be heard over gun violence. We Say #NeverAgain is filled with politics and multiple individuals point of views towards gun violence. Students share their tragic stories of what happened that Valentine’s Day.
These stories are not sugar coated and represent what happens all over the world, their authors just finally decided to take a stand when it happened to them.
This breathtaking book is full of multiple writings from journalism students at the Highschool where the shooting took place. It gives so many details in that went on, on that tragic day and leads you through the paths of how the students rebuilt their community from shambles.
These students fought so hard, and are still fighting, for their safety and for their voices to be heard over gun violence. We Say #NeverAgain is filled with politics and multiple individuals point of views towards gun violence. Students share their tragic stories of what happened that Valentine’s Day.
These stories are not sugar coated and represent what happens all over the world, their authors just finally decided to take a stand when it happened to them.
March 1, 2019
Literary Merit: Excellent
Characterization: N/A
Recommended: Yes
Level: High School
In the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy of 2018, we have seen the students take their future into their own hands. These young people speak out, they walk out, and they have taken to writing their story down. In this book, you will find some firsthand accounts of what happened, but you will mostly read about the aftermath and the lives these young people live right now.
This work would be an excellent fit into any curriculum, now and in the future, that wishes to talk about journalism, activism, and the importance of working out your feelings after such a horrific tragedy. While this book isn't as colorful as some of the other titles released with similar themes or by similar authors, I think this book has tremendous value as a primary source for the events during and following MSD's horrible Valentine's Day.
Characterization: N/A
Recommended: Yes
Level: High School
In the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy of 2018, we have seen the students take their future into their own hands. These young people speak out, they walk out, and they have taken to writing their story down. In this book, you will find some firsthand accounts of what happened, but you will mostly read about the aftermath and the lives these young people live right now.
This work would be an excellent fit into any curriculum, now and in the future, that wishes to talk about journalism, activism, and the importance of working out your feelings after such a horrific tragedy. While this book isn't as colorful as some of the other titles released with similar themes or by similar authors, I think this book has tremendous value as a primary source for the events during and following MSD's horrible Valentine's Day.
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