Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the heavy weight of a communal tragedy or feels the isolating sting of guilt by association. It is a vital resource for middle grade readers trying to process the aftermath of gun violence and the complicated reality of loving someone who has done something unforgivable. The story follows two former best friends, Cora and Quinn, whose lives were shattered by a school shooting involving their older brothers: one the victim, the other the shooter. Together, they turn to the logic of science and time travel to try and undo the past. While the subject matter is profound and heartbreaking, it is handled with immense grace and a focus on healing. It is an ideal choice for parents looking to facilitate honest conversations about grief, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to reach out to someone when everything feels broken.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewDeep exploration of grief, depression, and the social isolation following a tragedy.
The shooting is discussed and described in flashbacks, though not gratuitously.
Cora, who is Middle Eastern, experiences Islamophobic comments and assumptions after the event.
Quinn struggles with loving her brother despite the horrific thing he did.
The book deals directly with school shootings and death. The approach is realistic and secular, focusing on the psychological and social fallout rather than the act of violence itself. The resolution is hopeful but grounded in reality: the girls cannot change the past, but they can change how they live in the present.
A mature 12-year-old who is asking big questions about justice and 'bad people,' or a child who feels responsible for things they cannot control.
Parents should be aware that the book mentions the specifics of the shooting (though not graphically). Chapter 26 and the final chapters are particularly emotional and may require a check-in. A parent might notice their child becoming withdrawn after hearing news of a tragedy, or perhaps the child is struggling with a friendship that has become 'complicated' due to family circumstances.
Younger readers (10) will focus on the time-travel mystery and the 'secret mission' aspect. Older readers (13-14) will more deeply resonate with the themes of guilt, the nuance of the shooter's characterization, and the social dynamics of the middle school setting.
Unlike many books on tragedy, this focuses on the 'sibling of the perpetrator,' providing a rare and empathetic look at the shame and confusion that comes with that specific type of grief.
Cora and Quinn were neighbors and best friends until a school shooting changed everything. Cora's sister was a victim, and Quinn's brother was the shooter. The girls are now social pariahs for different reasons: Cora is shrouded in grief, while Quinn is buried under the weight of her brother's actions. They reconnect in secret, bonded by the desperate hope that they can use physics and a possible wormhole to travel back in time and prevent the tragedy from ever happening.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.