A parent might reach for this book when their teen is struggling with the sudden death of a peer, especially if the loss is complicated by feelings of guilt or regret. "November Blues" follows high schooler November Nelson as she navigates the intense grief following the accidental death of her boyfriend, Josh. Her sorrow is compounded when she discovers she is pregnant with his child. The novel unflinchingly explores the emotional weight of grief, guilt, friendship, and the immense responsibility of making life-altering decisions. Appropriate for mature teens (14+), this book offers a raw and realistic portrayal of a young woman facing two monumental life events at once, providing a powerful story of resilience and finding a path forward.
Deals with the aftermath of a teen relationship, including a resulting pregnancy.
Substance ReferencesMild
References to underage drinking are part of the backstory of the character's death.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly and realistically with the death of a teenager and with teen pregnancy. The approach is secular and emotionally grounded. The narrative does not shy away from the intense pain of grief or the overwhelming nature of November's choices. The resolution is realistic and hopeful: November makes a responsible, difficult choice for her future, but the story acknowledges that the grief will always be a part of her. It is not a neat and tidy ending, but one of resilience and maturation.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a teen, aged 14-17, who is grappling with complex grief or facing a life-changing decision that makes them feel isolated from their peers. It's for the reader who needs to see a character navigate an almost impossibly adult situation, showing that strength can be found even in the midst of overwhelming sorrow and fear.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for mature themes, including frank discussions about teen pregnancy and the intense, raw depiction of grief. The circumstances of Josh's death (hazing, underage drinking) are central to the story's context. The book can be read on its own, but reading the prequel, "The Battle of Jericho," first provides crucial background on the characters and the tragedy that sets this story in motion. A parent has noticed their teen has become withdrawn and deeply sad after the death of a classmate. The parent hears their child say, "No one gets it," or expresses feelings of guilt and responsibility related to the loss. It could also be for a parent who wants to start a conversation about consequences and making responsible choices.
Age Experience
A younger teen (14) will likely connect most strongly with November's overwhelming sadness and the drama of her relationships with friends and parents. An older teen (16-17) will better appreciate the nuances of the difficult choices she faces, the social and parental pressures, and the long-term implications of becoming a parent at a young age. They will see it less as a story about a sad event and more as a story about forging an identity after a tragedy.
What Makes It Special
What makes this book unique is its dual focus on grief and teen pregnancy. It's not just a story about mourning; it's about how a new life complicates that mourning and forces the protagonist to look to the future while still tethered to a tragic past. It powerfully examines how one person's choices can ripple out and irrevocably change the lives of so many others.
Read plot summary
This novel follows sixteen-year-old November Nelson in the month after her boyfriend, Josh, dies in a tragic hazing incident (detailed in the prequel, "The Battle of Jericho"). As November sinks into a deep depression, consumed by grief and guilt, she discovers she is pregnant. The story chronicles her journey as she grapples with her loss, tells her parents and Josh's parents, and makes the difficult decision about her and her baby's future, all while leaning on her friends and finding unexpected support.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
November struggles with intense guilt over Josh's death. Do you think she bears any responsibility for what happened? Why do people often blame themselves when a loved one dies?
2
Josh's parents have very different reactions to the news of November's pregnancy. Why do you think his father is so hostile, while his mother is more compassionate? How do their reactions show different ways of grieving?
3
Jericho tries to support November, but he is also dealing with his own complicated feelings about Josh's death. How does their shared history both strengthen and strain their friendship throughout the book?
4
At the end of the story, November makes a very mature and difficult decision about her baby. Do you think it was the right choice for her at that time? What other options did she have, and what might have been the outcomes?
