54 minutes. That’s the span of the school shooting at Opportunity High School in Opportunity, Alabama described in “This is Where it Ends”, a fictional novel, by Marieke Nijkamp. The story ignites a multitude of emotions in readers, with themes such as grief, courage and resilience.
The book, a beautiful yet horrific novel, illustrates the minute-by-minute of a school shooting from the accounts of some of those closest to the shooter. Switching between the point of view of some in the room with the shooter and those outside who are desperately seeking help, the story has an astounding grasp on how one moment can turn the lives of average teenagers upside down. Though the story is a work of fiction, it still displays the harsh reality that the world has been facing in a heightened manner since the Columbine shooting in 1999.
The book’s importance stems from its straightforward plot, which doesn’t sugarcoat the hideous reality of school shootings. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the number of these horrific events has increased significantly in recent years, even since the book was published in 2016. In addition, there were 1453 school shootings between the 1997-98 and 2021-22 school years, 794 happening between 2017 and 2022. The issue is a public health concern that cannot be denied. Gun violence is now the leading cause of death in children aged zero to 19 years.
Another reason I believe this book is a beneficial read is because of the multi-personal narrative. Nijkamp explores the ripple effects of trauma on individuals and communities and connects it through sibling, platonic and romantic relationships. She expands on the trauma of Ty, the shooter, helping to spotlight the mental health crisis that our generation is facing. Backed up by the American Psychological Association (APA), I can confidently say that our generation is the most mentally unstable one that this world has experienced. I believe that this is directly correlated to the amount of school shootings. If you look at statistics by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, you will see that between 1972 and 2014, the percentage of households with guns declined by about 17%, showing that the increase in school shootings is not closely linked to access to firearms. This issue is a mental health issue and Nijkamp highlights that beautifully throughout her novel.
Though my favorite book may not be of happy topics, I believe it is an important read for everyone.