Book Review: Red Heart Tattoo

Title:  Red Heart Tattoo
Author:  Lurlene McDaniel
Where I got it:  From NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review

Amazon Summary:

At 7:45 a.m. on the day before Thanksgiving break, a bomb goes off at Edison High. Nine people die instantly. Fifteen are critically injured. Twenty-two suffer less severe injuries. And one is blinded. Those who survive, struggle to cope with the loss and destruction. All must find new meaning for their lives as a result of something they may never understand.

Lurlene McDaniel's signature expertise and finesse in dealing with issues of violence, death, and physical as well as emotional trauma in the lives of teens is immediate and heartrending.

My Thoughts:
Lurlene McDaniel has always impressed me with her ability to write about the complex issues that impact teenagers, without being completely and utterly depressing.  In her latest novel, a school is rocked by an explosion, and everyone is impacted in different ways. 

Can the students overcome the challenges of the violence that rocked their school?  And what can they learn from this terrible tragedy?

This simple book speaks volumes about the tragedy of violence in schools, and the different ways that such an incident can impact those affected.  McDaniel’s writing is simple and heartfelt, and provides a realistic picture of the aftermath of a horrible event.