This Is Where It Ends — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
The reviews are in! This Is Where It Ends, the #1 New York Times bestseller and one of the Best Books of the Decade (Buzzfeed, Paste Magazine, BookRiot), "could break you." "I am speechless." "The saddest book I have ever read." "Literally tore my heart out."
Go inside a heartbreaking fictional school shooting, minute-by-terrifying-minute. Everyone has a reason to fear the boy with the gun...
10:00 a.m.: The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.
10:02 a.m.: The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.
10:03 a.m.: The auditorium doors won't open.
10:05 a.m.: Someone starts shooting.
Over the course of 54 minutes, four students must confront their greatest hopes, and darkest fears, as they come face-to-face with the boy with the gun. In a world where violence in schools is at an all-time high and school shootings are a horrifyingly common reality for teenagers, This Is Where It Ends is a rallying cry to end the gun violence epidemic for good.
Praise for This Is Where It Ends:
- A Buzzfeed Best Young Adult Book of the Decade
- A Paste Magazine Best Teen Book of the Decade
- A Book Riot Biggest YA Book of the Decade
- A Professional Book Nerds Best Book of the Decade
- A Bustle.com Most-Anticipated YA Novel
- A Goodreads YA Best Books Pick
- A Goodreads Choice Award Finalist for Young Adult Fiction
- Kids Indie Next List Pick
"Marieke Nijkamp's brutal, powerful fictional account of a school shooting is important in its timeliness." --Bustle.com
"A gritty, emotional, and suspenseful read and although fictionalized, it reflects on a problematic and harrowing issue across the nation." --Buzzfeed
"A compelling, brutal story of an unfortunately all-too familiar situation: a school shooting. Nijkamp portrays the events thoughtfully, recounting fifty-four intense minutes of bravery, love, and loss." --BookRiot
Frequently asked questions
Is This Is Where It Ends appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book is described as a brutal and terrifying story centered on a high school shooting, unfolding over 54 minutes. It addresses themes of violence, including the emotional impact of such events on students. The book is described as a terrifying story about a school shooting, which is inherently a frightening subject matter. It is noted for its intense emotional and suspenseful elements.
Does This Is Where It Ends have violence?
The book is described as a brutal and terrifying story centered on a high school shooting, unfolding over 54 minutes. It addresses themes of violence, including the emotional impact of such events on students.
Does This Is Where It Ends have scary content?
The book is described as a terrifying story about a school shooting, which is inherently a frightening subject matter. It is noted for its intense emotional and suspenseful elements.
Does This Is Where It Ends have religious themes?
The book features a diverse cast of characters from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, including Christian and Muslim students. This diversity is presented in the context of the narrative surrounding a school shooting.
Does This Is Where It Ends have racial/cultural content?
While the book features characters from various ethnic backgrounds, race is not presented as a central theme or plot element. The focus remains on the events of the school shooting.
Does This Is Where It Ends have profanity?
No instances of profanity are reported in the search results for 'This Is Where It Ends'. The content primarily discusses the narrative's violence and emotional themes.
Does This Is Where It Ends have climate change?
No climate themes or discussions are present in the search results. The focus is on the narrative of a school shooting and its emotional ramifications.
Does This Is Where It Ends have sexual identity?
No sexual content is mentioned in the search results. The focus is on the violent and emotional aspects of the school shooting rather than any sexual themes.
Does This Is Where It Ends have gender roles?
The search results do not indicate any specific themes related to gender roles. The narrative centers on the school shooting and its impact on the characters rather than on gender dynamics.
Does This Is Where It Ends have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are explicitly mentioned in the search results for 'This Is Where It Ends'. The content primarily focuses on the narrative of a school shooting and does not highlight LGBTQ+ identities.
