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Zuiker Teen Topics
Activist: A Story of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Shooting
Lauren Hogg, one of the survivors of the shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school in Parkland, Florida, dramatically tells her story in graphic novel form. The tragedy of yet another mass shooting has galvanized the young people of the country, and helped launch a movement that continues to gain momentum. Lauren Hogg lost her two best friends that horrible day, but despite her loss she, along with other Parkland students, found her voice and created meaning from the horrors of that day.
On February 14, 2018, Valentine’s Day, Lauren Elizabeth Hogg lost her two best friends in the now notorious school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In all, seventeen people were gunned down by the shooter, a student at the school. Survivors of that tragic day vowed to rise up and fight for their right—and the right of kids everywhere—to safety in their schools.
Lauren and her brother David were brought up together in a tight-knit family, where lessons about compassion, responsibility, and civic duty were always a part of their lives. Their mother, Rebecca Boldrick Hogg, has long pursued a life of activism, working to help the less fortunate in her community. Their father, Kevin Hogg, a retired FBI agent, dedicated his life to keeping citizens safe and secure.
But neither parent could do much to answer Lauren’s tearful questions after that horrific “Why not me? Why am I still here?” All they could do was urge her to put her lessons to work. She has done that here, by telling her own story in this powerful graphic novel about that fateful day—and beyond.
Through her grief, Lauren found her calling, joining in the protests of #NeverAgain and the “March for Our Lives.” She and her brother, and so many other Parkland students refuse to allow the memory of their fallen classmates to be forgotten. Empowered with a unique voice, Lauren Elizabeth Hogg is truly an activist for our times.
On February 14, 2018, Valentine’s Day, Lauren Elizabeth Hogg lost her two best friends in the now notorious school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In all, seventeen people were gunned down by the shooter, a student at the school. Survivors of that tragic day vowed to rise up and fight for their right—and the right of kids everywhere—to safety in their schools.
Lauren and her brother David were brought up together in a tight-knit family, where lessons about compassion, responsibility, and civic duty were always a part of their lives. Their mother, Rebecca Boldrick Hogg, has long pursued a life of activism, working to help the less fortunate in her community. Their father, Kevin Hogg, a retired FBI agent, dedicated his life to keeping citizens safe and secure.
But neither parent could do much to answer Lauren’s tearful questions after that horrific “Why not me? Why am I still here?” All they could do was urge her to put her lessons to work. She has done that here, by telling her own story in this powerful graphic novel about that fateful day—and beyond.
Through her grief, Lauren found her calling, joining in the protests of #NeverAgain and the “March for Our Lives.” She and her brother, and so many other Parkland students refuse to allow the memory of their fallen classmates to be forgotten. Empowered with a unique voice, Lauren Elizabeth Hogg is truly an activist for our times.
96 pages, Hardcover
Published November 5, 2019
1 person is currently reading
126 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 18, 2020
I keep reading these Zuiker Press books because I'm interested in the topics, but I'm always turned off by the purple prose and the heavy-handed writing. For instance, in this one, a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting talks about her two best friends who were killed in the tragedy, but changes their real names to "Heart" and "Soul." Why? To protect their identities? To deter fact-checking? Or to let the the story include several "heart and soul" puns? Sadly, it seems to be the last one.
Like all the other entries in this series that I have read, this one says it is a graphic novel by the young person who is the subject of the book on the cover and title page, but the fine print on the verso indicates it is written by TV producer Anthony E. Zuiker of the CSI franchise. Is he the one adding all the cheese to whatever portion the kids are contributing?
Like all the other entries in this series that I have read, this one says it is a graphic novel by the young person who is the subject of the book on the cover and title page, but the fine print on the verso indicates it is written by TV producer Anthony E. Zuiker of the CSI franchise. Is he the one adding all the cheese to whatever portion the kids are contributing?
August 10, 2020
This one was interesting. I like the idea of this series quite a bit. I want to try at least one more to see if they all have a similar tone to this one. Something about the writing was just a little "off" to me. Too cheery and heavy handed at the same time. I also found some parts of it cringy with all the mentions of how perfect her life is with great parents (even when one works crazy hours, he always has time to bake cookies at midnight to take into her bedroom to make up for all the lost moments he missed out on), great vacations, an amazing activist mother, an outstanding brother, a great GPA (even after taking on all this extra activism she still achieves over a 4.0 GPA - which when this was mentioned just felt like fluff and eye roll inducing), and just so much happiness. This is a story about a horrific event. Yes, life goes on after horrific events. Yes, you can use tragedy to make change and inspire other people. These are great lessons to make sure to let young readers know so they don't just see the gloom and see no hope. But...it was still just off to me. Early on in the book you find out that her two best friends were killed in the shooting, but she's changed her name for this book. Why? That's a big question mark for me because we know 17 people were killed in the shooting. You can find all of their names online so it's not like it's protecting their identities or the identities of their families. Omitting the names made me question the reliability of the entire story. That question of doubt started at the very beginning when we were told their names wouldn't be mentioned.
After all of that negativity and questioning of how much I liked (or didn't like) this book, on to the positives of the book. It's a quick read. It holds your interest the entire time. It will help a young generation learn about real people in history. A very short and easy to read story to help kids learn about real events.
Overall, not bad, but not great either.
After all of that negativity and questioning of how much I liked (or didn't like) this book, on to the positives of the book. It's a quick read. It holds your interest the entire time. It will help a young generation learn about real people in history. A very short and easy to read story to help kids learn about real events.
Overall, not bad, but not great either.
March 2, 2023
Not enough background on what really happened at the school. Truly no background on the incident/s. Loved the art and activist’s point of view was different and refreshing. Would recommend.
January 29, 2020
"We may just be kids, but our voices are loud and strong." It's tragic that Lauren Hogg had to grow up so fast and so suddenly, but at 15 she is doing so much to reform America's gun control laws. This graphic novel is a fantastic look at what Lauren, her brother, and other Parkland students are doing now to make America a safer place. I appreciate that she doesn't go much into the details of the shooting and doesn't sensationalize the event for shock effect. The novel focuses more on Lauren's life prior to and following the shooting, which I think is more effective at starting a healthy discussion around gun control. Definitely recommend.
January 13, 2020
Making a graphic novel series about serious issues affecting young people is a great idea. BUT the art and writing are so poor that I can't see this really doing much to actually help people.
October 9, 2022
Though a noble goal in telling this story I was left rather unmoved by the book itself. It felt rather artificial especially with the use of heart and soul rather than the real names themselves. This could have been much stronger if the real voice was used.
February 27, 2020
Absolutely powerful.
February 15, 2020
So, I appreciate the source (Ms Hogg) and intent behind this graphic novel (promoting activism for a cause). But I found some of the underlying themes in it sort of disturbing.
For example, the theme that everyone is on their own & has to save themselves. I think this is not a great interpersonal, societal, OR activist lesson for kids. It’s also not how change is made.
The other thing that put me off about this book is how her family treats her, which borders on emotionally abusive at times. Though the author presents it as a good thing— “tough love”. One event in particular, where her brother buries her in a sand pit up to her neck as the tide is coming in, and threatens to leave her there— is particularly disturbing. This act is supposedly justified bc he was trying to “teach her a lesson” that she has to save herself, but really, just seems abusive.
Because of this, I can’t say I’d recommend this book for kids. It doesn’t model healthy interpersonal relationships, nor does it model effective activism.
For example, the theme that everyone is on their own & has to save themselves. I think this is not a great interpersonal, societal, OR activist lesson for kids. It’s also not how change is made.
The other thing that put me off about this book is how her family treats her, which borders on emotionally abusive at times. Though the author presents it as a good thing— “tough love”. One event in particular, where her brother buries her in a sand pit up to her neck as the tide is coming in, and threatens to leave her there— is particularly disturbing. This act is supposedly justified bc he was trying to “teach her a lesson” that she has to save herself, but really, just seems abusive.
Because of this, I can’t say I’d recommend this book for kids. It doesn’t model healthy interpersonal relationships, nor does it model effective activism.
March 7, 2020
Not well done. Powerful story, but that artwork and writing was awful.
May 26, 2022
This is such a hard book to rate and review, especially in light of yesterday's great tragedy.
First, the positive. My own heart and soul were greatly moved by Lauren's story. I adored seeing her mother train her up to become the amazing activist she now is, and her relationship with her brother is one I wish my brother and I could have had. And her father taking the time out of his (precious) sleep schedule to bake cookies with his daughter, showing her that she is far more precious. This laid the groundwork for her amazing breakthrough and fight in order to claim justice for her Heart and Soul, both of which had been crushed when that demonic shooter filled them with bullets.
And now, the harder part of this review:
While Lauren's story really resonated with me for the most part, she and I disagree on the issue of gun control. I believe that if we make the procurement and use of firearms unequivocally illegal, the mentally ill people who commit the despicable and vile acts of shooting up a school will just obtain those firearms on a (naturally booming) black market. Banning firearms is not the solution, promoting human decency and kindness is the solution. As someone with a strong sense of justice who wishes with all my heart that I could just bring those children back to their parents, those teachers back to their families, it fills me with ire that these shootings keep happening. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE - we must think, however, before we go diving into action.
The latter half of the book - where the students felt betrayed by the adults who had been unable to protect them from this issue - tore me in two. On the one hand, what they're sharing is valid. It was the responsibility of the leaders of this country to do whatever they could to ensure that a monstrosity like this evil day would never happen and would never happen again (something they have grossly failed in YET AGAIN), but at the same time, there was no way anyone could see this coming. The minds of these troubled criminal shooters are often hid behind masks of indifference and isolation, and often people are so caught up in life they fail to notice the warning signs. This is wrong, but it also a fact of life. Excruciating as it is to admit, we cannot prevent every school shooting. We cannot. I wish with every fibre of my being that we could, but we can't.
I feel like no matter how many words I use, I cannot make up for this injustice, nor can I make up for yesterday's Texas mass shooting. But I can offer the words of comfort that there is a God in this world, and though there is nothing we humans can ever do to get back those loved ones, they are far safer now than they ever have been on earth. This is no comfort to some, and for that, I am deeply sorrowful. But it is true.
Yesterday, May 24th, 2022, is a day that will forever live in infamy. A cruel and unusual act has occurred at Robb Elementary School, an act which can never be reversed or undone. My heart aches in sorrow for this unspeakably evil occurrence, and the abhorrently evil one that was the focus of this book.
A must read for all sorting through the current events of today.
First, the positive. My own heart and soul were greatly moved by Lauren's story. I adored seeing her mother train her up to become the amazing activist she now is, and her relationship with her brother is one I wish my brother and I could have had. And her father taking the time out of his (precious) sleep schedule to bake cookies with his daughter, showing her that she is far more precious. This laid the groundwork for her amazing breakthrough and fight in order to claim justice for her Heart and Soul, both of which had been crushed when that demonic shooter filled them with bullets.
And now, the harder part of this review:
While Lauren's story really resonated with me for the most part, she and I disagree on the issue of gun control. I believe that if we make the procurement and use of firearms unequivocally illegal, the mentally ill people who commit the despicable and vile acts of shooting up a school will just obtain those firearms on a (naturally booming) black market. Banning firearms is not the solution, promoting human decency and kindness is the solution. As someone with a strong sense of justice who wishes with all my heart that I could just bring those children back to their parents, those teachers back to their families, it fills me with ire that these shootings keep happening. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE - we must think, however, before we go diving into action.
The latter half of the book - where the students felt betrayed by the adults who had been unable to protect them from this issue - tore me in two. On the one hand, what they're sharing is valid. It was the responsibility of the leaders of this country to do whatever they could to ensure that a monstrosity like this evil day would never happen and would never happen again (something they have grossly failed in YET AGAIN), but at the same time, there was no way anyone could see this coming. The minds of these troubled criminal shooters are often hid behind masks of indifference and isolation, and often people are so caught up in life they fail to notice the warning signs. This is wrong, but it also a fact of life. Excruciating as it is to admit, we cannot prevent every school shooting. We cannot. I wish with every fibre of my being that we could, but we can't.
I feel like no matter how many words I use, I cannot make up for this injustice, nor can I make up for yesterday's Texas mass shooting. But I can offer the words of comfort that there is a God in this world, and though there is nothing we humans can ever do to get back those loved ones, they are far safer now than they ever have been on earth. This is no comfort to some, and for that, I am deeply sorrowful. But it is true.
Yesterday, May 24th, 2022, is a day that will forever live in infamy. A cruel and unusual act has occurred at Robb Elementary School, an act which can never be reversed or undone. My heart aches in sorrow for this unspeakably evil occurrence, and the abhorrently evil one that was the focus of this book.
A must read for all sorting through the current events of today.
October 23, 2019
I received a slightly early copy at the NYCC 2019 educators event. Many thanks to Zuiker Press.
The story told here is so important. The instigating event is horrific. But what the author, Lauren Hogg chose to do in the aftermath, is inspiring. It is necessary for this story to be told. And using a graphic novel to tell it is a great idea. The visuals can hit much harder and deeper then just words. I'm glad to see Zuiker Press and others creating these works.
The presentation of the story here has some issues, but they are minor. 90% of the story is told through narration instead of dialog. This can stilt the narrative flow sometimes. The art is very strong. But Lauren doesn't look like Lauren. The artwork gives her a much more angular and narrow facial structure. This isn't a problem because it looks different. It's a problem because it make her look older than she is during these events. Part of the power of this story is that this activist is a child. She's at an age where she shouldn't have to be doing this work, but she has chosen to. That lesson doesn't hit as hard when your 14 year old protagonist looks 18.
These issues are in no way disqualifying. The story is important and moving. There should be more work like this out there. I've notices a push towards non-fiction graphic novels over the past year. If you are as interested in this trend as I am, this is a great place to start.
The story told here is so important. The instigating event is horrific. But what the author, Lauren Hogg chose to do in the aftermath, is inspiring. It is necessary for this story to be told. And using a graphic novel to tell it is a great idea. The visuals can hit much harder and deeper then just words. I'm glad to see Zuiker Press and others creating these works.
The presentation of the story here has some issues, but they are minor. 90% of the story is told through narration instead of dialog. This can stilt the narrative flow sometimes. The art is very strong. But Lauren doesn't look like Lauren. The artwork gives her a much more angular and narrow facial structure. This isn't a problem because it looks different. It's a problem because it make her look older than she is during these events. Part of the power of this story is that this activist is a child. She's at an age where she shouldn't have to be doing this work, but she has chosen to. That lesson doesn't hit as hard when your 14 year old protagonist looks 18.
These issues are in no way disqualifying. The story is important and moving. There should be more work like this out there. I've notices a push towards non-fiction graphic novels over the past year. If you are as interested in this trend as I am, this is a great place to start.
November 9, 2019
Most of us still remember the shocking events in 2018 that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. But this graphic novel provides an inside look at those events and the aftermath from the perspective of Lauren Hogg, who was fourteen at the time. Lauren describes the day that ended with the deaths of 17 individuals as being quite typical. While the tragedy might have crushed others, for Lauren and her older brother, David, it galvanized them and prompted them to become activists as they became involved in the #NeverAgain and "March for Our Lives" movement. Lauren lost two close friends during the shooting rampage, but strangely enough, she found herself and was empowered by her need to pay tribute to those friends through her own actions to make a change in gun regulations. Other teens may relate to her journey in finding her voice if not to the events that propelled her to do so. The way she harnessed the power of social media is quite impressive and inspiring, turning something terrible into something positive.
July 28, 2022
This heart-wrenching story is by one of the survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting that occurred on February 14, 2018, in Parkland, Florida. Lauren was a 14-year-old freshman when she, her friends, brother, and classmates were victimized by mass gun violence that permanently changed, or ended, their lives forever. This graphic novel is a haunting personal portrayal of the realities of the US epidemic of gun violence and mass school shootings. It is emotionally intense but not hopeless. Lauren emphasizes relationships, love, and hope for the future throughout the storyline. She argues passionately about the importance of individual and group activism to create change in America. It is a heavy and significantly relevant quick read.
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library
June 23, 2020
What a horrible, inspiring story. I don't remember even hearing about this tragic event, or the movement that happened because of it. I'm glad this girl is using her voice, we need more teens like her. My daughter and I just started reading this series of books by and for teens. It tackles some tough topics and allows your child to hear from someone who actually experienced it. We've had some great conversations and look forward to reading the others.
January 18, 2022
Reading the reviews, I thought I wouldn’t like this book. However, I quickly learned that I would enjoy this graphic novel. It tells the tale of Lauren Hogg and the infamous Parkland shooting. She describes in detail her struggles of losing close friends in the shooting and learning to find her voice throughout it all. Lauren’s message is powerful and shouldn’t be lost. I would hate for my future children to have to practice the same drills myself and countless others have.
March 19, 2020
Important story
We need more stories like this for middle school students. More viewpoints, more voices. I would have loved to see this story more thoroughly developed.
Good for upper elementary, and some middle school. Content is ok for middle school but it may feel too young.
We need more stories like this for middle school students. More viewpoints, more voices. I would have loved to see this story more thoroughly developed.
Good for upper elementary, and some middle school. Content is ok for middle school but it may feel too young.
December 30, 2019
A powerful firsthand account of the Majory Stoneman Douglas Shooting. Wasn't thrilled with how simple it was, but this would be great exposure to the reality of school shootings for children and teens. Its not gory or overtly dark, the story focuses on positivity and power born from tragedy.
September 29, 2020
Easy to read format for a tough to handle subject. Great read for older middle school through high school. Own voice telling her story of surviving before, during and after a violent school shooting tragedy. Narrator also tells reader how she stands up for her beliefs and became an activist.
October 9, 2020
A very sweet and sad recounting of a young woman's life after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting. I think this book is relatable for teens and tweens, and appreciate the series' intent to tell personal stories of teens who are often reduced to headlines.
December 10, 2019
Obviously moving story about a horrific event, but it felt phoned in. Disappointing.
December 23, 2019
Great book and series
February 20, 2020
Good important read.
December 1, 2020
A first person account of the school shooting at Margery Stoneman Douglas High School in FLA.
Told with authentic scenes of family and friends. Students looking for true stories will read this.
Told with authentic scenes of family and friends. Students looking for true stories will read this.
January 30, 2021
This story of a survivor and activist is emotional and inspiring; a worthwhile read.
Part of a series of books that touch on important and hot topics of the age.
Part of a series of books that touch on important and hot topics of the age.
February 24, 2021
One in a set of nonfiction graphics telling important stories for young people.
July 13, 2021
Inspirational for everyone, but written well for kids.
July 6, 2022
A great bite size book for kids to explain what activism is.
January 3, 2026
this book was a memoir about a school shooting, very tragic.
her emphasis is on gun control I differ from her I feel the emphasis should be on the violence and anger in people's hearts.
her emphasis is on gun control I differ from her I feel the emphasis should be on the violence and anger in people's hearts.
January 9, 2020
Note: Reviewed from an ARC.
The fifth of six titles in the series of books about trauma and other life-changing events experienced by teens in the words of those teens, this book continues with the same excellence as Mend and Click!. (Activist and another title are due in November 2019.)
Lauren Hogg is a survivor of the Parkland HS shooting and has turned her emotional response to the trauma that she experienced into a positive move forward as an activist calling for gun control. In this book, she tells her story. Hogg's words make the reader feel the passion and pain she felt as she went through this horrible ordeal, then bares her soul as she claws her way toward a new normalcy. I am sorry she and her classmates as the school experienced this event, however it only serves to enrich the experience to have her share it. Readers will respond to the maturity that Lauren was forced to develop as a result.
Since this was printed in time for the 2019 ALA Summer Conference, art-work is not complete. Some pages have enough detail that one can see the direction the artists are taking it. As with the others in the series, professional comic book illustrators, inkers, colorists, and letterers are being used to create the art. I am sure it will be just as stunning. Perhaps it is because these are sketches or have no color, but the images of Lauren do not resemble her. Other titles in the series resemble the teen authors who tell their story; they should resemble them as it is their story. This is Lauren's story; her face needs to be seen. A biography about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln or any other renowned person would be wrong if it did not resemble the subject. This should be the same - otherwise it should be made and marketed as fiction. Lauren's face is much rounder, almost moon-shaped. In the ARC, her face appears longer and more angular making her look like a different person. I hope the artists redo this, so readers will see Lauren's beautiful face the entire time through this experience. (I had the pleasure of talking with this awe-inspiring young woman while at ALA and would not have recognized her from the artwork in the book.)
One typo was found in the book: "complewtly" in one of the bios about the artists in the back of the book, p.85.
This is an incredible, life-changing books that is important and necessary to get into the hands of young people today. Nothing hits home to them like one of their peers telling about their experiences. This should be required reading for schools who are undergoing active shooter training -- for students, teachers, administrators, and law enforcement alike.
Highly Recommended for grades 6-up.
The fifth of six titles in the series of books about trauma and other life-changing events experienced by teens in the words of those teens, this book continues with the same excellence as Mend and Click!. (Activist and another title are due in November 2019.)
Lauren Hogg is a survivor of the Parkland HS shooting and has turned her emotional response to the trauma that she experienced into a positive move forward as an activist calling for gun control. In this book, she tells her story. Hogg's words make the reader feel the passion and pain she felt as she went through this horrible ordeal, then bares her soul as she claws her way toward a new normalcy. I am sorry she and her classmates as the school experienced this event, however it only serves to enrich the experience to have her share it. Readers will respond to the maturity that Lauren was forced to develop as a result.
Since this was printed in time for the 2019 ALA Summer Conference, art-work is not complete. Some pages have enough detail that one can see the direction the artists are taking it. As with the others in the series, professional comic book illustrators, inkers, colorists, and letterers are being used to create the art. I am sure it will be just as stunning. Perhaps it is because these are sketches or have no color, but the images of Lauren do not resemble her. Other titles in the series resemble the teen authors who tell their story; they should resemble them as it is their story. This is Lauren's story; her face needs to be seen. A biography about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln or any other renowned person would be wrong if it did not resemble the subject. This should be the same - otherwise it should be made and marketed as fiction. Lauren's face is much rounder, almost moon-shaped. In the ARC, her face appears longer and more angular making her look like a different person. I hope the artists redo this, so readers will see Lauren's beautiful face the entire time through this experience. (I had the pleasure of talking with this awe-inspiring young woman while at ALA and would not have recognized her from the artwork in the book.)
One typo was found in the book: "complewtly" in one of the bios about the artists in the back of the book, p.85.
This is an incredible, life-changing books that is important and necessary to get into the hands of young people today. Nothing hits home to them like one of their peers telling about their experiences. This should be required reading for schools who are undergoing active shooter training -- for students, teachers, administrators, and law enforcement alike.
Highly Recommended for grades 6-up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews