Bea is a 6th grader who loves her adoptive mom, Max, her next-door neighbors Aaron and Lucius, and being a "big sister" to her kindergarten "little", Josie. Her life is happy until one day there is a school shooting and everything changes.

This middle-grade novel-in-verse moves from describing Bea's life "before" the shooting to describing how she traverses life "after", including her fear of being unable to escape because she is confined to a wheelchair (she has cerebral palsy). Bea believes she is helpess to save herself and experiences feelings of sadness and guilt (including survivor guilt). Max enrolls her in an equine therapy program which helps her begin to heal.

While this book may be difficult for some young people to read, due to the subject, it provides important messages of healing and of the need to learn to fight for what you believe is important. Immediately after the shooting, The book flows well and the writing is easy for readers of all ages and ability to understand. It deals with an extremely serious and timly topic that children today face on a daily basis. The book may act as a call for action, encouraging young readers to fight for changes in school safety and gun control.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.