Are you looking for some of the best YA books to read for high school students? I know that it can be difficult to find YA books that are engaging and make students actually want to read. Check back here as I provide a detailed review of the best YA books to read – from what you could use it to teach, to any sketchy parts that may cause an issue in class.
This week, I’m reviewing a book that isn’t specifically in the YA category, but it’s a memoir that holds the potential to teach students so many life lessons. It even combines my two favorite genres – true crime and memoir. Let me introduce you to a book that will change your perspective on trauma, the court system, the death penalty, and the choices we make!
Title: A Rip in Heaven
Author: Jeanine Cummins
“Jeanine Cummins reveals the devastating effects of a shocking tragedy in this landmark true crime book—the first ever to look intimately at the experiences of both the victims and their families.”
Genre: memoir, nonfiction, true crime
Rating: 4.5 stars
Description:
This story was once a headline on USA Today, The New York Times, and Court TV. Now, the tale is being told from the perspective of someone who actually lived it. Jeanine Cummins is actually the sister to the only surviving victim.
Jeanine Cummins takes readers through the most horrifying incident of her life – and one that has haunted her for decades. Her brother, Tom, and her two cousins, Julie and Robin, are victims of an unimaginable act of violence. The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge which spans the Mississippi River just outside of St. Louis is the backdrop of the horror which unfolds. The entire family must struggle to understand the truth, cope with unimaginable loss, and grapple with mysteries.
The Cummins family takes a fun spring break trip in 1991, however, the last night of the trip changes everything. As the story develops, it becomes clear that miraculous survival is not the ending – it’s only the beginning of what could prove to be even more dangerous than the violent act itself.
Memorable Quote: “Unfortunately, the very characteristic that led him to embody the goodness that surrounded him also led him to embrace evil when he met it.”
Why I loved it:
Memoir is probably my favorite genre to read, but this one really piqued my interest. It is a true-crime memoir – a combo of my 2 favorite things to read! A Rip in Heaven is definitely not what I expected, but I could not put it down. A Rip in Heaven is the first memoir I’ve read that is written from the third-person point of view. Cummins states that she writes in the third person to give, “an intimate knowledge of each facet of the story.” I think what makes this piece work so well is that, although she wasn’t a direct victim of the crime, she is still a survivor of that trauma. Many of my own students who have been “secondhand” victims of violence often struggle with feelings of guilt because of this. A Rip in Heaven definitely shows readers that those who experience the violence themselves are definitely not the only ones who feel the aftershocks of devastation for years to come.
I also enjoyed this book because it pushed me to be reflective. I was left thinking about the shocking ways in which crimes are often investigated and even my own feelings about the death penalty. This book made me think about “innocent fun” and how one half-truth that we tell our parents can be life-changing. There is SO MUCH potential in this text for teaching – it definitely pulls at a lot of difficult topics, but I can see my students racing through this text to solve the mystery and ultimately come to understand the impact of what we often consider small, insignificant choices.
One of the victims in this text is also an INCREDIBLE poet. The poems that are included and so intricately woven into this memoir are TREASURES. It is almost eerie how the writer’s poems are given new purpose and meaning after her tragic death.
Note: This book is not marketed as a YA text. There are many hard-to-read topics and scenes in this. However, I think it would be a perfect fit for a memoir book group activity. Excerpts from the text would also work well in various lessons.
Sketchy stuff:
The chapter that details what happened on the bridge describes violence, rape, and drowning. 2 of the 3 attackers are currently on death row, and court testimonies are given. There is sexually charged language during the scene on the bridge, and the senseless act of violence is truly shocking and may be frightening for some readers.
What it would be great for teaching:
- Debate
- Memoir Writing
- Article Analysis
- Theme
- Overcoming/Coping with Trauma
Where to read it:
I read SO many books for FREE through my favorite apps: Libby and Hoopla! I actually listened to the audiobook version (which was GREAT!) on the Hoopla App.
When you read A Rip in Heaven, you HAVE to let me know what you think! In the meantime, you can check out some other fun reading suggestions here! You can also find my review from last week here! Check back next week as I detail more of the best YA books to read!
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