Goodbye Days

If you are looking for a book with a clear villain or happy ending, this isn't for you. It was the only book I read this week set in modern times in a real place. Blade- nickname- sends his friends a text asking where they were. When Marcus tries to respond, he crashes the car into the back of a semi, killing all three of Blade's best friends. Blade reveals his guilt through a series of flashbacks and funerals. Some of the parents blame him for sending the text, some don't. But Blade most definitely blames himself. As he works through his grief, he befriends Eli's girlfriend, the only person willing to give him a chance. But there is guilt in that too as he finds himself attracted to her. Blade also spends one day with each of his friends' families living the day as the friends would have wanted. This has mixed results. This is a powerful novel of those who are left behind after a tragedy. And it is made worse, because texting and driving is completely avoidable. I think my students will love this book and maybe it will stick in their heads when they take the wheel in a few years. Highly recommend. Happy reading my friends.