Run, Hide, Fight Back

April 1, 2018

Gr 7 Up-The author brings to life modern-day teen concerns in this suspense-filled depiction of an active shooter situation. Through the perspectives of six main characters, the story touches on current issues for teens, including religion, drug use, immigration, cancer, guns, and families. Miranda, the main character, kicks off the story, shoplifting as the shooting at a Portland shopping mall begins. As the narrative evolves, so do the characters, and their relationships to one another. They set aside their differences as their common goal of survival brings them together. Well-done character development, even pacing, and the gripping premise will keep teens turning pages. VERDICT Purchase multiple copies of this timely thriller.-Margo Fryling, Eastvalley Elementary School, Marietta, GA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Six teens desperately try to survive a mass shooting and hostage situation.When shots ring out through the food court of a mall in Portland, Oregon, Miranda Nash has just shoplifted some mascaras to pay her Oxy dealer; undocumented Mexican immigrant Javier Ramirez and Somali-American hijabi Amina Omar (the only two main characters who are people of color) are at work; Parker Gray is reluctantly babysitting his 7-year-old sister, Moxie; Grace Busby is with her mom, who is secretly taking her to Mexico for alternative cancer treatment in contravention of a court order; and Cole Bond is a bystander. When the shooting begins, Parker races off to find Moxie while the others hide in the store where Amina works. Grace's mother has been killed and Javier was also shot. Now hostages, the teens struggle to stay calm as Javier bleeds out. Suspicion briefly and unfortunately rests on Amina because she is Muslim, and Cole and Grace share conspiracy theories. Parker's desperate search for his sister ratchets up the tension. As time advances, the captives seek ways to fight the hostage takers--but, as promised at the beginning of the novel, not all will survive. One plot twist is fairly well-telegraphed, and positioning Miranda and Parker as the main narrators, while Javier and, particularly, Amina remain underdeveloped characters, is a missed opportunity. Readers who aren't triggered by this novel will find it a readable thriller. (Thriller. 14-18)

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