I really didn't think I could love Jen Lancaster more, but then I read The Gatekeepers, I honestly was surprised at how good this book was and how much I enjoyed it.

This book was absolutely amazing and I thank NetGalley for the ARC. I could NOT put it down. It deserves 100 stars. It is one of the best YA books that I have ever read. It was first person from several different points of view, which I love. As a Chicagoan myself, I absolutely LOVED all the Chicago references! They were totally hilarious and all so true. About the Sears Tower and the W flag-that was SO SO funny! And the McD's up North, too!!! With all that said, this story was amazing. And so so so true. I live in a town where the academic climate is similar to NSHS and it is scary. My kids have been under the same type of pressure as portrayed in this book but maybe not quite to the same degree. Also, I am HOME a lot and my husband is around. They are not left alone to fend for themselves and they are happy and close to each other as well, which I think makes all the difference in the world. We do not pressure our kids to constantly do better and to do more. That is what is missing in the families in this book. They have no family life at all. Thank you, Ms. Lancaster, for writing such an important novel. I think every high schooler in America AND their parents should read it and I am not kidding. I will encourage my kids' high school and our public library to get it ASAP. I'll even donate a copy to both places because I feel so strongly about it. You focus on a very real problem. I live it too, but have managed to have it NOT be a problem at least for my own kids and their friends. Thank you again for writing this novel! NetGalley, you ROCK for letting me read this early!

This book was simply amazing and will be an incredibly important book for students, teachers, and parents to read. I will definitely use this as a recommended read.

This is an important book for teens. It addresses a very serious subject in a way that will speak to them without being preachy or overbearing. It has some shocking moments that would be excellent book club fodder. Some of the characterizations are flat or stereotypical, but the plot is well paced and realistic. Will recommend!

Beautiful telling of a harsh situation which, sadly, will resonate with many teens. The pressure to go beyond excellence pushes young people to their limit - and sometimes over the edge.

"The Gatekeepers" by Jen Lancaster is a stunning novel about what happens when the pressure to succeed becomes too much. Everyone should read this book. 5/5 stars and much love.

While I thought this book was going to be very different, I did enjoy it. The middle became a little redundant. I enjoyed how the characters changed and became friends. I was thinking this was going to be more of a mystery, but was pleasantly surprised.

This would be a great book for book clubs (especially a teen book club). A great discussion would come out of the content of this book.

I enjoyed the concept of this book. Teens coming together after tragedies to make a difference in their community is great. I hated how most of the adults were represented though. I also didn't like that it took four deaths, almost five to get people motivated to do anything. I think overall this book will be a good read for high schoolers.

This book hit me where it hurts. It was intense and sadly all too real. As someone who has experienced losing someone to suicide in high school, and has worked with teens for over twenty years, I think this book is an important one that can open up dialogue and empathy.

A phenomenal and authentic story of the aftermath of suicide on family, friends, and a community. Lancaster uses different point of views to create a heart-wrenching picture of suicide, yet its compelling conclusion can only be called hopeful, a call to action that readers cannot ignore. An original perspective on an essential problem; a must purchase for YA collections.

I received a digital ARC from NetGalley, all opinions are my own!

What an absolutely incredible book! I've long been a fan of Lancaster's work and her as a person. She has a gift with words and is an incredible storyteller. This is her best yet, and I will honestly be surprised if I read anything else this year that I find to be better; it is that good. It addresses such an important and timely topic and does it so well. Especially with more discussion happening now regarding teen suicide, and with the popularity of 13 Reasons Why, this will be an important book to put into the hands of teens. Also, I think it will be an important book for parents and those who have any impact on the lives of teens to read as well. In addition to teen suicide, the book addresses the relentless pressure on teens to succeed at everything and push themselves further and further. It's not enough to be a good student, or a talented athlete, or an accomplished artist/musician/dancer/actor, etc. Expectation on teens today is that they have to excel at everything, no matter the cost. Compared to many other books that do address these issues, I think Lancaster has done so well at getting into the why of it and what can be done to watch for signs of someone who is struggling and how one can help them. So many books focus more on the emotional aspects and fallout of suicide without providing hope and solutions. While they are often still really good books that are worth reading, I appreciate what Lancaster has done here and think this book can effect change and do something to help what is happening. I very highly recommend this one and hope it will be read widely. For sure, it should be in every library that serves teens.