Set to be released this October is a young adult book titled Hold Still. The story of a high school junior whose entire life is changed when her best friend commits suicide. Author Nina LaCour writes with such intimate knowledge of the teenage spirit, you may find it hard to remember at times that this book is a work of fiction.
Hold Still begins during the summer, immediately after Caitlin's best friend, Ingrid, dies. The story quickly moves to the new school year and the problems that Caitlin is suffering with. Her favorite teacher is ignoring her, her parents are pushing her to get over it, her guilt when she starts making a new friend, and on top of it all her best friend is still dead. Caitlin finds Ingrid's most precious possession, her journal, hidden beneath Caitlin's bed. The journal opens her up to what was going on with her friend, things she never knew. She finally shares in Ingrid's pains and problems, but also in her hopes.
A book about heart ache, hope, and moving on, Hold Still is a wonderful piece of literature. It will draw you in to Caitlin's world, and you will feel everything that she does. You will cry, you will laugh, and you will root for Caitlin to over come. This is a wonderful story that will help you understand the pain and hardship that suicide causes.
I highly recommend this piece for high school aged students. It is a very strong piece and would bring out a lot of discussion among young people. The complex topics within the story make it easy for many to identify with the characters.
