Name: That's Not What Happened
Rating: 3.57 (50 reviews)
ISBN: 9781338186529

Kody Keplinger

In the three years since the Virgil County High School Massacre, a story has grown up around one of the victims, Sarah McHale, that says she died proclaiming her Christian faith--but Leanne Bauer was there, and knows what happened, and she has a choice: stay silent and let people believe in Sarah's martyrdom, or tell the truth.

That's Not What Happened

Elissa Bowe LeBeau

This is, unsurprisingly, a difficult book to read. But more surprisingly, it’s a difficult book to finish. 
The “big twist” is hyped up far too much in the beginning - to the point where I nearly forgot there was a plot to begin with. When it’s revealed halfway through, the entire book loses steam. I dragged myself to the end, and while I’m happy I did, it looked bleak for a moment. 
The timeline can also be confusing, as it jumps between different years with little explanation or warning. 

However, overall I would recommend it. It’s very reflective regarding the resilience of teenagers, the impacts of PTSD, the importance (or not?) of the truth, and the reality of religion in America. 3.5/5.0

Caroline Lewicki

I went into "That's Not What Happened" absolutely dying to love it. I've spent a great deal of time reading about Columbine and Cassie Bernal's story, which is similar to this one in some ways, so I've done my best to read anything school shooting related. I think it's an interesting and timely topic to cover in fiction.

I just didn't feel like I connected with any of the characters at all. At some point in the book, each of the survivors is meant to speak through their own voice and I don't feel that individual voices were developed for them at all. Reading from Miles' perspective felt just like reading from Kellie's or Lee's, just with different words. I also don't think the format works. It starts out epistolary, wanes into a narrative, weaves back into letters. By the end you vaguely understand why the format is the way it is but quite frankly it just didn't translate right for me.

I think the message is interesting. Is the truth as important as protecting people you care about? Why does the truth matter? I just don't know that this book conveyed the message in the way I would hope. Characters seem to do things with little or no apparent motive and I truly think it's because each character was underdeveloped.

Also, just because this drove me insane, I could not stand the number of times a character points out that they changed clothes. Just to point it out! For no other reason than to say "I got into sweatpants." WHY.

Tiffany Robinson

This was a fast and quick read. I really got into it, but the main character got annoying after a while though.

Destiny J Tamayo

Ashley Lock

Tommie Wieberdink 

Six survived to tell the story, but who knows the truth? The next hotly anticipated YA novel from bestselling US sensation Kody Keplinger, author of THE DUFF and RUN It's been three years since the Virgil County High School Massacre. Three years since my best friend, Sarah, was killed in a bathroom stall during the mass shooting. Everyone knows Sarah's story - that she died proclaiming her faith. But it's not true. I know because I was with her when she died. I didn't say anything then, and people got hurt because of it. Now Sarah's parents are publishing a book about her, so this might be my last chance to set the record straight . . . but I'm not the only survivor with a story to tell about what did - and didn't - happen that day. Except Sarah's martyrdom is important to a lot of people, people who don't take kindly to what I'm trying to do. And the more I learn, the less certain I am about what's right. I don't know what will be worse: the guilt of staying silent or the consequences of speaking up . . .

abbie j

Addison Hardaway

It's been three years since the Virgil County High School Massacre. Three years since my best friend, Sarah, was killed in a bathroom stall during the mass shooting. Everyone knows Sarah's story--that she died proclaiming her faith. But it's not true. I know because I was with her when she died. I didn't say anything then, and people got hurt because of it. Now Sarah's parents are publishing a book about her, so this might be my last chance to set the record straight . . . but I'm not the only survivor with a story to tell about what did--and didn't--happen that day. Except Sarah's martyrdom is important to a lot of people, people who don't take kindly to what I'm trying to do. And the more I learn, the less certain I am about what's right. I don't know what will be worse: the guilt of staying silent or the consequences of speaking up . . .

Rachel Roy

From New York Times bestseller Kody Keplinger comes an astonishing and thought-provoking exploration of the aftermath of tragedy, the power of narrative, and how we remember what we've lost. It's been three years since the Virgil County High School Massacre. Three years since my best friend, Sarah, was killed in a bathroom stall during the mass shooting. Everyone knows Sarah's story -- that she died proclaiming her faith. But it's not true. I know because I was with her when she died. I didn't say anything then, and people got hurt because of it. Now Sarah's parents are publishing a book about her, so this might be my last chance to set the record straight... but I'm not the only survivor with a story to tell about what did -- and didn't -- happen that day. Except Sarah's martyrdom is important to a lot of people, people who don't take kindly to what I'm trying to do. And the more I learn, the less certain I am about what's right. I don't know what will be worse: the guilt of staying silent or the consequences of speaking up...

That's Not What Happened

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