Jamie Sumner’s Please Pay Attention is a novel in verse about a school shooting, told through the eyes of Bea Coughlin, an eighth grader with cerebral palsy. The story is written as a letter to an unknown “Sir,” making it feel very personal and emotional.
This book felt different from Sumner’s usual style, and after reading the author’s note, I understood why. She tackles the tough topic of school shootings in a unique way, showing how students with disabilities experience these situations. As a teacher, it made me think about how we prepare all students for emergencies.
I highly recommend this book for school libraries, parents, and law enforcement. It’s an important and eye-opening read.

I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I’m so glad I had the chance to read it. This story was powerful and emotional despite being a quick read. It’s told from the perspective of a young girl with cerebral palsy, who is confined to a wheelchair, as she experiences a school shooting. The book keeps details minimal, making it suitable for upper elementary students without overwhelming them. At the same time, it offers a deep understanding of the main character’s experience. I’m excited to add this book to my elementary school shelf and highly recommend it to others when it’s available in print!

Sumner tackles school shootings in a solid verse novel. Bea, the protagonist, is a wheelchair user, and her perspective is unique. Other titles have approached similar issues with a little more creativity, but this novel is heartfelt and accessible. Hand to fans of emotional verse novels.

Bea’s story is a reminder to all the silent affects of tragic school shootings that more and more children are having to learn how to deal with. Jamie Sumner does a great job balancing the emotional hard of Bea’s situation with family, animals, therapy, and a choice to push through the difficult days with that support. Great, quick read that will help students navigate feelings around the topic of gun violence in schools without adding to angst or fear.

Gun violence in schools is an increasing concern in America. With no indication of gun laws ever changing, Jamie Sumner tackles a very heavy topic that needs to be discussed. Written from the point of view of sixth grader, Bea, who is wheelchair bound with Cerebral Palsy, she is faced with the terrifying reality of a school shooting in her school. What do you do when you are trapped and can’t move? When you can’t physically get yourself into a safe hiding spot? How does a school shooting impact your daily life? Your education? Your relationships? Your mental well-being? All of these questions are answered in Please Pay Attention. Sumner draws the reader in with her verse, bringing every fear, every emotion, every moment to heart-stopping life. I could not remain composed while reading this, and that is exactly what we need. We need to wake up and FEEL. Sumner’s inspiration is drawn from her good friend, who lost her life to a school shooting in 2023. The main character, Bea, is inspired by Sumner’s beautiful son. Every single voter, parent, politician, teacher… needs to read this book.

Bea is a 6th grader who loves her adoptive mom, Max, her next-door neighbors Aaron and Lucius, and being a "big sister" to her kindergarten "little", Josie. Her life is happy until one day there is a school shooting and everything changes.

This middle-grade novel-in-verse moves from describing Bea's life "before" the shooting to describing how she traverses life "after", including her fear of being unable to escape because she is confined to a wheelchair (she has cerebral palsy). Bea believes she is helpess to save herself and experiences feelings of sadness and guilt (including survivor guilt). Max enrolls her in an equine therapy program which helps her begin to heal.

While this book may be difficult for some young people to read, due to the subject, it provides important messages of healing and of the need to learn to fight for what you believe is important. Immediately after the shooting, The book flows well and the writing is easy for readers of all ages and ability to understand. It deals with an extremely serious and timly topic that children today face on a daily basis. The book may act as a call for action, encouraging young readers to fight for changes in school safety and gun control.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.