How it Ends - Book Review

Inspired by her work with at-risk teens, Catherine Lo wrote the young adult novel How It Ends about the start and end of a teen girl friendship. There are actually several friendship beginnings and ends in this novel (which would make a great English class essay), but the main one is between Jessie, a bullied outcast, and Annie, the new girl at school. The story is told through alternating points of view between these two characters.

At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, but as the story of these BFFs progressed, along with all their family drama, mean girls, misunderstandings, and mental illness, I really found myself becoming engrossed in the story. There were many times were I got a little teary-eyed empathizing with what the characters were going through.

I was never bullied the way these girls were (I also didn't grow up in a time of social media), but their experiences felt so real (probably because they are real to many teenagers these days), and I understood the hurt, anger, and sadness that they were feeling.

I think this book is a cautionary tale for teens about the dangers of peer pressure, judging others, and not hearing both sides of the story, as well as showing kids what can happen if they learn to trust each other, be themselves no matter what, and just be NICE. It's also a reminder to parents (who should definitely read this book) to respect and listen to their kids. Create an environment where your teen feels safe talking to you. You can still be a parent while also being a trusted confidante.

One of the best quotes in this book came toward the end: "Being brave doesn't mean nothing bad happens to you. Bad things happen no matter what. Being brave is how you handle those things. How you keep going and trying and being yourself."