Hate List

About this book

For readers of Marieke Nijkamp's This Is Where It Ends, a powerful and timely contemporary classic about the aftermath of a school shooting. Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets. Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends, and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life. Jennifer Brown's critically acclaimed novel now includes the bonus novella Say Something, another arresting Hate List story.

Censorship history

In 2024, "Hate List" by Jennifer Brown was banned at the school level in various districts across the United States, primarily due to concerns over its sensitive subject matter related to school violence and its potential impact on students. Specific instances of challenges included formal complaints from parents and local advocacy groups, leading to school board votes that resulted in the book's removal from library shelves. The bans were often justified under the category of "Other," reflecting a broader trend of restricting access to literature that addresses difficult themes. The outcomes of these challenges varied, with some districts upholding the bans while others faced ongoing debates about the appropriateness of the book in educational settings.

Bans

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