Bang
By:
Sebastian Cody did something horrible, something no one—not even Sebastian himself—can forgive. At the age of four, he accidentally shot and killed his infant sister.
ISBN: 9780316315500
JLG Release: Jun 2017
Other Formats Available from JLG
Sensitive Areas:
Language: Strong Language, Violence: Death, Violence: Suicide Reference/Discussion, Violence: Mild Violence, Discrimination: Religious
Topics:
YouTube
, Guilt
, Friendship
, Family problems
, Single-parent families
, Tragedy
, Muslims in the United States
, Suicide
, Grief
Awards & Honors
Green Mountain Book Award 2018—2019 Nominee
Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Awards 2019 Nominee
YALSA 2018 Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers Selection
YALSA 2018 Best Fiction for Young Adults
New York Public Library Best Books for Teens 2017
Los Angeles Public Library Best of 2017: Teen Books
Praise & Reviews
Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews*, Publishers Weekly*, School Library Journal*, Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
School Library Journal
[STARRED REVIEW]
When Sebastian Cody was four years old, he accidentally shot and killed his infant sister with his father’s gun. A decade later, in the summer before his sophomore year in high school, he can no longer endure the guilt, everyone’s knowing and nervous stares, and the constant feeling that he doesn’t dese [STARRED REVIEW]
When Sebastian Cody was four years old, he accidentally shot and killed his infant sister with his father’s gun. A decade later, in the summer before his sophomore year in high school, he can no longer endure the guilt, everyone’s knowing and nervous stares, and the constant feeling that he doesn’t deserve to be alive. Sebastian decides to take his own life at the end of the summer in the same way that he took his sister’s. Knowing it will all be over soon is a comforting, relaxing thought—until he meets Aneesa, a Muslim girl who has moved in down the street. Aneesa is funny and smart, and, most important, she knows nothing about Sebastian and his horrible past. Together they create a YouTube channel about making pizza, and as they spend more and more time together, Sebastian begins to feel as if there is something left to live for. However, when kids from school start viewing the channel, they recognize Sebastian and leave comments about his sister’s death and make crude Islamophobic jokes about Aneesa. A wedge is driven between the two friends, and Sebastian is once again headed toward a destructive end. Lyga (I Hunt Killers) tackles a number of relevant issues in this heartbreaking novel, including gun control, suicide, and religious and racial prejudice. The pain and anguish Sebastian feels every day are raw and chafing, and the chemistry between Sebastian and Aneesa is tender and realistic. VERDICT With a number of sensitive issues addressed, along with frequent graphic language, this book may be best for a mature audience, who will fully appreciate the unwavering and stark realism.—Tyler Hixson, School Library Journal
When Sebastian Cody was four years old, he accidentally shot and killed his infant sister with his father’s gun. A decade later, in the summer before his sophomore year in high school, he can no longer endure the guilt, everyone’s knowing and nervous stares, and the constant feeling that he doesn’t dese [STARRED REVIEW]
When Sebastian Cody was four years old, he accidentally shot and killed his infant sister with his father’s gun. A decade later, in the summer before his sophomore year in high school, he can no longer endure the guilt, everyone’s knowing and nervous stares, and the constant feeling that he doesn’t deserve to be alive. Sebastian decides to take his own life at the end of the summer in the same way that he took his sister’s. Knowing it will all be over soon is a comforting, relaxing thought—until he meets Aneesa, a Muslim girl who has moved in down the street. Aneesa is funny and smart, and, most important, she knows nothing about Sebastian and his horrible past. Together they create a YouTube channel about making pizza, and as they spend more and more time together, Sebastian begins to feel as if there is something left to live for. However, when kids from school start viewing the channel, they recognize Sebastian and leave comments about his sister’s death and make crude Islamophobic jokes about Aneesa. A wedge is driven between the two friends, and Sebastian is once again headed toward a destructive end. Lyga (I Hunt Killers) tackles a number of relevant issues in this heartbreaking novel, including gun control, suicide, and religious and racial prejudice. The pain and anguish Sebastian feels every day are raw and chafing, and the chemistry between Sebastian and Aneesa is tender and realistic. VERDICT With a number of sensitive issues addressed, along with frequent graphic language, this book may be best for a mature audience, who will fully appreciate the unwavering and stark realism.—Tyler Hixson, School Library Journal
Book Details
ISBN
9780316315500
First Release
June 2017
Genre
Fic
Dewey Classification
F
Trim Size
5 3/4" x 8 1/2"
Page Count
304
Accelerated Reader
Level 5; Points: 12;
Scholastic Reading Counts
Level 5.4; Points: 13;
Lexile
N/AFormat
Print Book
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Little, Brown
Potentially Sensitive Areas
Language: Strong Language, Violence: Death, Violence: Suicide Reference/Discussion, Violence: Mild Violence, Discrimination: Religious
Topics
YouTube, Guilt, Friendship, Family problems, Single-parent families, Tragedy, Muslims in the United States, Suicide, Grief,
