From Goodreads
In Nineteen Minutes, you can mow the front lawn, color your hair, watch a third of a hockey game. In nineteen minutes, you can bake scones or get a tooth filled by a dentist; you can fold laundry for a family of five….In Nineteen Minutes, you can stop the world, or you can just jump off it. In nineteen minutes, you can get revenge.

Sterling is a small, ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens — until the day its complacency is shattered by a shocking act of violence. In the aftermath, the town’s residents must not only seek justice in order to begin healing but also come to terms with the role they played in the tragedy. For them, the lines between truth and fiction, right and wrong, insider and outsider have been obscured forever. Josie Cormier, the teenage daughter of the judge sitting on the case, could be the state’s best witness, but she can’t remember what happened in front of her own eyes. And as the trial progresses, fault lines between the high school and the adult community begin to show, destroying the closest of friendships and families.

Nineteen Minutes is New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult’s most raw, honest, and important novel yet. Told with the straightforward style for which she has become known, it asks simple questions that have no easy answers: Can your own child become a mystery to you? What does it mean to be different in our society? Is it ever okay for a victim to strike back? And who — if anyone — has the right to judge someone else?

ISBN: 9780743496728
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication date: March 5th 2007
Pages: 440

Review
Another good book by Jodi Picoult. This story is about a boy who is mercilessly bullied at school by many students including his brother. We learn about the effect of bullying, in all its forms, on the victim leading to, in this case, the victim killing people (it sounded like he had a hit list). There was also discussion of what it’s like to be one of the popular girls. Often times we as onlookers can find ourselves thinking that the popular girls have got it made. However, the reverse appears to be true. It takes a lot of thought and energy to make sure you stay in the group. The expectations of the members of the in crowd are high regarding clothing choice, friends, and so on. In addition to these issues there is a romance between the police officer and the local judge (who’s the mother of one of the popular girls). Personally I don’t think the story gained anything from this romance that was of any significance. However, on the whole the story was still good with an important message to impart.

Recommend for: Adults
Rating: 4 stars