Teach Me to Forget

by Paul Nilon

Overview

Ellery wants to die. Nothing is going right. Her younger sister is dead, and her family is in a shambles. But on the day that she tries to end it all, even the gun won't work. When she tries to return it, she's intercepted by a security guard who also happens to be a boy in one of her classes, Colter Sawyer. Colter recognizes Ellery's desperation and begins working hard to earn her trust. Why does this cute boy care about my worthless life?, Ellery wonders. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Colter has very good reasons for his vigilance, deep, personal reasons. And whether Ellery likes it or not, he won't let go.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440594588
Publisher:	Simon Pulse
Publication date:	12/02/2016
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
Lexile:	HL580L (what's this?)
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Erica M. Chapman is a blog contributor for the YA Misfits and All the Write Notes, and has her own website, ericamchapman.com. Visit her on Twitter @ericamchapman.

Editorial Reviews

"Ellery finds life after the death of her little sister, Tate, unbearable. Chapman has crafted a hauntingly beautiful story with richly developed characters. A moving tale to recommend, especially to readers who loved Jennifer Niven's All the Bright Places." --School Library Journal

"High school junior Ellery Stevens has decided to end her life. She cannot stop blaming herself for the freak driving accident in which her beloved younger sister was killed. Ellery's voice is engaging and authentic, and her edgy black humor comes into play.... Sadness gives way to redemption and an unforced hope in this thoughtful read." --Kirkus Reviews

"A beautifully crafted, dark, and heartbreaking look at depression and suicide. Ellery's story is needed and necessary; Chapman is a writer to watch" --Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces

"In this stunningly brave and necessary debut, Erica M. Chapman takes us on a journey to the edge and back--exploring grief, depression, and suicide with candor, insight, and above all, hope." --Amber Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be

"Writing about suicide and mental health isn't easy, but Erica M. Chapman's debut embraces the challenge. An emotional read, this book is perfect for fans of My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga and Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang." --Paste Magazine

"I so badly wanted to take away Ellery's pain, to hug her until things got better. Ellery just has so much to offer the world, and I would love to be there when she realizes it. Ellery--even while making her new plans and being set in her wish to carry them out--starts finding a piece of life to subconsciously hold on to. There's hope in her situation, even when she feels like all is lost." --Forever Young Adult

"Chapman has brilliantly written from a perspective of authenticity that produces a genuinely wrenching story. Ellery is heartbreakingly realistic, and readers will find themselves lost in her turmoil. Fans of Laurie Halse Anderson and Jennifer Brown will clamor for this debut novel from an author whose dark and emotional story will resonate with teen readers." --VOYA Magazine

"Chapman's vivid story-telling made these characters come to life in my imagination. My heart ached for Ellery and the deep, dark depression that overwhelmed her. While the book is incredibly heart-wrenching, there is a glimmer of hope throughout. THIS BOOK IS A MUST-READ!" --MW Ladies Who Lit

"Thoughtful, tough, and darkly funny novel." --Bustle.com

From the Publisher

Ellery is a seventeen-year-old who has decided to die. She only has one close friend who sticks by her for reasons she cannot comprehend. When she tries to commit suicide, however, she cannot get the gun to work and accidentally tries to return it to the wrong store. It gets worse when the security guard turns out to be Colter, a boy from her English class who is now overly interested in her life. Ellery formulates a new plan for her suicide that will be foolproof. She just has to ignore her best friend Jackson’s loyalty and care for her, ignore Jackson’s new girlfriend who could be a new friend, and definitely ignore Colter, who desperately wants to save her. Books about depression and suicide are a dime a dozen in teen literature, but Chapman has brilliantly written from a perspective of authenticity that produces a genuinely wrenching story. Through flashbacks, readers learn of Ellery’s intense feelings of guilt over the breakup of her family and the loss of her younger sister, which exposes the darkness of depression in a truly empathetic way. Ellery is heartbreakingly realistic, and readers will find themselves lost in her turmoil. This is contemporary realistic fiction at its best, as all of the characters are fully formed, with distinct and believable behaviors. Fans of Laurie Halse Anderson and Jennifer Brown will clamor for this debut novel from an author whose dark and emotional story will resonate with teen readers. Reviewer: Blake Norby; Ages 12 to 18.

VOYA, December 2016 (Vol. 39, No. 5) - Blake Norby