Nineteen Minutes: A novel

Jodi Picoult

Mar 2007 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

Jodi Picoult, bestselling author of My Sister's Keeper and Small Great Things pens her most riveting book yet, with a startling and poignant story about the devastating aftermath of a small-town tragedy.

Sterling is an ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens--until the day its complacency is shattered by a school shooting. Josie Cormier, the daughter of the judge sitting on the case, should be the state's best witness, but she can't remember what happened before her very own eyes--or can she? 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 asks what it means to be different in our society, who has the right to judge someone else, and whether anyone is ever really who they seem to be.

Ratings and reviews

I believed it was loosely based on some school rampage cases because it was mentioned several time in the book. I like the portrayal of Peter Houghton, Josie Cormier and many more characters here. It was well-written book. In fact this is the book that I highly recommend you to read. No regret. I cried when I read the book and even when I write this review.This is the story of Peter Houghton, the boy who scream from the inside to be heard and at least to be left alone (from the bully). This is the story of Josie Cormier,the tough girl who thought she knew how to survive in the pressure of teen life yet confuse about her needs,her life and her identity. This is the story of two bestfriend and two mother - Alex Cormier and Lacy Houghton. This is the story of two family and a school and a community. This is the story from the other side. The story far different from the teen movies tried to portray. This might not be a true story but it resonate with a real life. Someone out there just want to be heard... Maybe if we can spend some time or give them some space we might save their lives... and thousand more.

This book was one of her best i would say. Her stories are always great. This one was definitely a page turner. I read it all day and all night. While i was suppose to be watching where i was walking or while i was suppose to be eating or sleeping i had this book open and in my face. Its the reason i have a sweet LED book light! It was a beautiful, seemingly tragic tale of friendship, loyalty, bullying, love and life in high school.

Peter Houghton has endured years of verbal and physical abuse at the hands of classmates. His best friend, Josie Cormier, succumbed to peer pressure and now hangs out with the popular crowd that often instigates the harassment. Finally Peter is pushed the limit and brings a gun to school.

About the author

Jodi Picoult received an AB in creative writing from Princeton and a master’s degree in education from Harvard. The recipient of the 2003 New England Book Award for her entire body of work, she is the author of twenty-seven novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers House Rules, Handle With Care, Change of Heart, and My Sister’s Keeper, for which she received the American Library Association’s Margaret Alexander Edwards Award. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children. Visit her website at JodiPicoult.com.