That's Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger

I didn't say anything then, and people got hurt because of it. I know because I was with her when she died. Everyone knows Sarah's story-that she died proclaiming her faith. Three years since my best friend, Sarah, was killed in a bathroom stall during the mass shooting. It's been three years since the Virgil County High School Massacre. SO many great details and characters to discuss.About the Book From 'New York Times' bestseller Keplinger comes an astonishing and thought-provoking exploration of the aftermath of tragedy, the power of narrative, and how we remember what we've lost.īook Synopsis From New York Times bestseller Kody Keplinger comes an astonishing and thought-provoking exploration of the aftermath of tragedy, the power of narrative, and how we remember what we've lost. What was she willing to risk to have the whole story? What were the others willing to risk to share their truth? This would be an amazing book club book – for teens or for adults. This whole piece of the story was captivating.Īs Lee pursued the whole story from all of the survivors, she also had to wrestle with WHY she needed to know. The story started innocently, but the people were so attached to that narrative, they became awfully un-Christian to anyone who questioned it. The hook for me was the martyrdom piece of this. I can’t help but think of the kids who have experienced a real school shooting this year and how they might be coping or struggling. I’m fascinated by the research the author must have done. The focus here was on how the survivors are dealing with the trauma.

Most of the active shooter stories I have read have focused on the event itself. I loved the emphasis on the survivors and the aftermath of the shooting. But her story is the one people need to hear most of all. And one of the six has left town and doesn’t want to be found. Not everyone is eager to dig deeper into their memories of that awful day. So Lee asks the other survivors to write up their experiences from the shooting. Sarah should be remembered as she really was. She can’t stomach the thought that the thing everyone wants to remember about her best friend is a lie. And they plan to include the story about the shooting in the book. In fact, Sarah’s parents are writing a book about Sarah. However that rumor got started, the faith community in Virgil County, and Sarah’s parents are really attached to the story of Sarah’s martyrdom.

The story is that Lee’s best friend, Sarah, died proclaiming her faith to the shooter. Six students survived their encounter with the shooter. Three years ago on March 15, there was a shooting at Virgil County High School.

That's Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger