Week 5, Post B

Dear Jodi Picoult,

I recently finished you novel Nineteen Minutes and I am amazed. For weeks now I have not been able to put it down! I have many questions including, what inspired you to write such an intense novel about such a deep subject such as a school shooting? Did anything inspire you when you were in high school? I felt so many strong emotions while reading, and realized that everyone probably went through a stage in their life where inside they didn’t feel the most popular or the prettiest. I really felt that an important theme in the novel was pretending to be something your not and hoping no one finds out your faking. Did that happen to you in high school? I agree with you when you say " In Nineteen Minutes you can stop the world...or just jump off of it" (1). This refers to Peter, jumping off the world by shooting 10 students, and taking an unnaceptable way out. Also, would you say you relate more to Josie, afraid to be turned down by the popular crowd or, Peter, an outcast thriving to be with the popular kids? Also, like Alex and Josie, is that a similar relationship that you have with someone? I realized that when something so bad happens, that tragedy can bring two people closer together. For example, before the shooting Josie could not talk to her mother about anything. After they got things figured out, she realized she needed her mom all along. Your novel has become my new favorite book and I can’t wait to read more! After reading, I am also more aware of possible shooters and I know that it’s important to be you in life. Finally, I learned not to put people down. Although it may seem they don’t have feelings, it could ruin their life, and possibly yours.

Sincerely,
Claire O’Neill