The Fall

by James Preller

Overview

An innovative new perspective on the tragedy of teen suicide.

The summer before school starts, Sam's friend and classmate Morgan Mallen kills herself. Morgan had been bullied. Maybe she kissed the wrong boy. Or said the wrong thing. What about that selfie that made the rounds? Morgan was this, and Morgan was that. But who really knows what happened?

As Sam explores the events leading up to the tragedy in journal format, he must face a difficult and life-changing question: Why did he keep his friendship with Morgan a secret? And could he have done something-anything-to prevent her final actions?

From James Preller, the author of Bystander, another unflinching book about bullying and its fallout.

“Preller provides a rare glimpse into the mind of a bully . . . Pair this with Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why.” —Booklist

This title has Common Core connections.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250090546
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	09/13/2016
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

James Preller is the author of Bystander, Six Innings, Before You Go, and the Scary Tales series. He's also known for his beloved Jigsaw Jones series. He travels the country making school appearances and blogs about writing for children at his website. He lives with his family in upstate New York.

Editorial Reviews

With its timely, important message and engaging prose style, Sam's journal ought to find a large readership.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Preller returns to themes addressed in his 2009 novel, Bystander, in an equally painful story about the aftermath of a teenager's suicide. After relentless bullying online, high school outcast Morgan Mallen throws herself off a water tower, leaving her tormentors to grapple with guilt over how they treated her. The narrative is composed of confessional journal entries written by one of Morgan's classmates, Sam Proctor... The journal format closely chronicles Sam's transformation from follower to leader, yet Preller avoids sermonizing, instead focusing on one individual's complicated process of grieving, accepting responsibility, and moving forward.” —Publisher's Weekly

“A compelling look at the aftermath of bullying, from the bully's perspective. . . . Readers will relate to the teen, who's less a bully than an average guy who gives in to peer pressure and inaction. This fast-paced story will spark discussion on cyberbullying, depression, and how to deal with tragic events.” —School Library Journal

“The pace is fast, yet the story unfolds slowly, one piece at a time. Readers will put this puzzle together, eager to see whether Sam ultimately accepts his role in Morgan's death, and wanting to see the whole story of what one person could have, and should have, done for Morgan.” —Booklist

From the Publisher

08/31/2015
Preller returns to themes addressed in his 2009 novel, Bystander, in an equally painful story about the aftermath of a teenager's suicide. After relentless bullying online, high school outcast Morgan Mallen throws herself off a water tower, leaving her tormentors to grapple with guilt over how they treated her. The narrative is composed of confessional journal entries written by one of Morgan's classmates, Sam Proctor. "I'm a follower, if you want to know the truth," he writes. "What can I say?" One year earlier, manipulative classmate Athena dragged Sam and others into a game of making mean, anonymous posts on Morgan's social media page. Simultaneously, Sam began an awkward friendship with Morgan, but she discovered his betrayal. Now, Sam views his writing, a mix of essays and poems, as a sort of solitary confinement, a space in which he can reflect on his behavior. The journal format closely chronicles Sam's transformation from follower to leader, yet Preller avoids sermonizing, instead focusing on one individual's complicated process of grieving, accepting responsibility, and moving forward. Ages 9–14. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

07/01/2015
Gr 6–9—A compelling look at the aftermath of bullying, from the bully's perspective. Sam Proctor thought it was funny the first time he posted a hateful comment on Morgan Mallen's social media page. It was just a game, after all, and superpopular Athena Luiken said it was his turn to play. Even after Sam befriends Morgan and starts hanging with her outside of school, he continues to post anonymous trash on her page. When Morgan jumps off of a water tower and kills herself, Sam is forced to confront his actions and wonder if a bully can every truly be forgiven. Told through journal entries, Preller's latest novel expertly captures the protagonist's voice, complete with all of its sarcasm, indifference, and, at the same time, genuine remorse. Readers will relate to the teen, who's less a bully than an average guy who gives in to peer pressure and inaction. This fast-paced story will spark discussion on cyberbullying, depression, and how to deal with tragic events. However, the ending introduces an element of magical realism that dampens the impact of an otherwise persuasive realistic tale. VERDICT While the conclusion falls short of the strong setup, this book stands alongside other well-crafted titles on bullying, such as Dori Hillestad Butler's The Truth About Truman School (Albert Whitman, 2008) and Preller's Bystander (Feiwel & Friends, 2009).—Kimberly Ventrella, Southwest Oklahoma City Library

School Library Journal

2015-06-10
When Morgan Mallen throws herself off of a water tower after being "terrorized on social media," classmate Sam Proctor starts a journal to sort out his role in the tragedy. Sam might have typed a message on Morgan's social media page saying, "Just die! Die! Die! No one cares about you anyway!" It could have been Sam, but it also might not have been: it was part of an anonymous game played by many students taking turns posting secret comments. Sam admits to being "a follower, if you want to know the truth….Leave the decisions to somebody else. I'm happy going along for the ride." Sam's writing is simple and literate (he won an essay-writing contest last year, after all), and in dissecting the events that led to Morgan's suicide, like a lawyer pleading a case before a jury, Sam becomes a writer, liking the person he becomes when he writes if not the person who went along, who didn't stand up to Morgan's tormentors. Toward the end of his self-analysis in his journal, Sam occasionally sounds more therapist than student, but his voice rings mostly true throughout, earnest and honest. With its timely, important message and engaging prose style, Sam's journal ought to find a large readership. (Fiction. 10-16)

Kirkus Reviews