Killing Mr. Griffin

Lois Duncan's classic suspense novel, Killing Mr. Griffin, follows a group of high school students who plot revenge on their overly strict English teacher, Mr. Griffin, by kidnapping him. What begins as a misguided prank quickly turns deadly when Mr. Griffin dies from a heart attack while held captive. The students, led by the manipulative Mark, attempt to cover up the crime, leading to further violence and a moral dilemma for the reluctant participant, Susan. This book explores themes of peer pressure, the devastating consequences of bad choices, and the nature of evil, making it a powerful read for ages 12-18.