The 39 Deaths of Adam Strand

Hmmm. Here we have a book about Adam Strand. A teenager so uninterested in life, he continually tries to kill himself. 39 times. He dies every time and comes back to life. Each time, someone (his father) finds him, brings him home and tries to convince him that life needn't be so bleak. Adam doesn't believe any of this and surrounds himself with friends who are going nowhere. He drowns (no pun intended) his depression with alcohol and a bad attitude. There are those who try and help him see a better way, but he finds most of them laughable. His only friend is a sick 10 year old girl who he winds up saving in an odd way. This book was odd at best. Adam isn't necessarily a likeable character. He really just wants to die and be done with what he sees as a futile existence. He doesn't take into account what his actions do to his family/friends and community. And unlike actual suicide victims he has the chance to really understand the effect suicide has on those left behind. As he bonds with Maddy, his desire to die lessens and he tries to figure out what to do with his life. I'm not sure this is a book that my students will enjoy, but you never know. I am on the fence myself and will definitely ponder the message Gregory Galloway was hoping to get across. So this one is on you my friends- happy reading!