This Is Not a Drill

In this harrowing young adult novel, two teens try to save a class of first graders from a gun-wielding soldier suffering from PTSD.

“Fast-paced, suspenseful thriller. . . . The hours-long standoff comes to a dramatic and violent climax. . . . A vividly depicted and gripping tragedy.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A well-imagined and tragic story with surprising characters and an unforgettable climax. It’s hard to believe this was written by a first-time novelist.”—Todd Strasser, author of Give a Boy a Gun

Emery: Teaching French to eighteen first graders? Very cool. Getting partnered with Jake? Now that was just cruel. After what he did, I didn’t even want to speak to him.

Jake: Yeah, I messed things up with Emery, I admit it. But I actually thought this tutoring gig might give me a chance to show her I wasn’t a total jerk.

Emery: And then it happened. So fast. A soldier charged into the room and demanded his son. We couldn’t have known that he’d pull a gun when he was told no. Now we were trapped with him—just me and Jake, with all those kids looking to us to protect them.

Jake: What I saw in this guy’s eyes scared me, but what could I do? One wrong move could send him over the edge. I had to save Emery and the kids. The last thing I wanted was to let her down again. I had to find a way to stop him . . .