Aftermath in the Commons

The story opens with a devastating school shooting at Garvin High, leaving several students dead and many wounded. Valerie Leftman, a student, is shot in the thigh and survives, but her boyfriend, Nick Levil, is the shooter who ultimately turns the gun on himself. The community is left reeling, unsure whether Valerie is a victim, a hero, or an accomplice. The media swarms, rumors swirl, and the school is transformed into a place of trauma and suspicion. Valerie's life is upended as she becomes the focus of police investigations and public scrutiny, her every action and motive questioned.

Return to Haunted Halls

After months of recovery, Valerie is pressured to return to Garvin High. The halls are haunted by memories and suspicion. She is met with a mix of fear, hostility, and curiosity from classmates and staff. Some see her as complicit in the tragedy, others as a tragic figure. Valerie's own feelings are conflicted—she is wracked with guilt, confusion, and anger, unsure of her place in a world that has been irrevocably changed. The school's attempts at healing are awkward and insufficient, and Valerie struggles to find a way to exist in a place that no longer feels like home.

The Hate List Unveiled

Central to the investigation is the "Hate List," a red spiral notebook Valerie and Nick created, listing people and things they hated—originally a private, cathartic joke. After the shooting, the list is seized by police and media, interpreted as a hit list. Valerie is interrogated about her role in its creation and whether she knew Nick's intentions. The notebook becomes a symbol of blame, and Valerie is forced to confront the consequences of her anger and the blurred line between fantasy and reality.

Nick and Valerie's Bond

Through flashbacks, Valerie recalls her relationship with Nick. Both outsiders, they found solace in each other, bonding over shared pain, family dysfunction, and a sense of being misunderstood. Nick's fascination with death and dark humor deepens, and Valerie, desperate for connection, is drawn into his worldview. Their relationship is intense but troubled, marked by moments of genuine happiness and growing darkness. Valerie's memories are tinged with regret and longing, as she tries to reconcile the boy she loved with the killer he became.

The Shooting Unfolds

The narrative reconstructs the day of the shooting: Nick, fueled by rage and alienation, opens fire in the Commons. Valerie, initially unaware of his intentions, is swept into the chaos. She tries to stop Nick, ultimately intervening as he targets Jessica Campbell, a popular girl and frequent tormentor. Valerie is shot in the thigh, possibly by accident, and Nick kills himself. The event is over in minutes, but its impact is lifelong. The school and community are left to pick up the pieces, and Valerie's role remains ambiguous.

Hospital and Interrogation

Valerie wakes in the hospital, physically wounded and emotionally shattered. She is interrogated by Detective Panzella, who suspects her involvement in the shooting. The Hate List and her digital correspondence with Nick are scrutinized. Valerie's family is fractured—her mother is fearful and overbearing, her father distant and judgmental. Valerie is overwhelmed by guilt, grief, and the weight of public opinion. She is sent to a psychiatric ward for observation, where she is further isolated and forced to confront her trauma.

Guilt, Blame, and Silence

Valerie's return home is fraught with tension. Friends avoid her, and her family is on edge. She is haunted by guilt—not only for the shooting, but for her inability to see the warning signs in Nick. The community's need for someone to blame falls heavily on her. Valerie's attempts to reach out—to apologize, to explain—are often rebuffed. She is caught between wanting to move on and feeling unworthy of forgiveness. Therapy becomes a lifeline, but progress is slow and painful.

The World Watches Valerie

The media's portrayal of Valerie is relentless and often cruel. She is alternately vilified and pitied, her every move dissected. Sensationalist reporting distorts the truth, and Valerie's identity is reduced to "the girl who hated everyone." The school administration is more concerned with appearances than healing, and Valerie is forced to navigate a world that sees her as a symbol rather than a person. The pressure to apologize publicly and the constant surveillance erode her sense of self.

Therapy and Self-Discovery

Valerie begins intensive therapy with Dr. Hieler, a compassionate and insightful psychologist. Through their sessions, she slowly unpacks her trauma, guilt, and anger. Dr. Hieler encourages her to rediscover her identity beyond the shooting and the Hate List. Art becomes a therapeutic outlet, allowing Valerie to process her emotions and see herself—and others—more clearly. The journey is nonlinear, marked by setbacks and breakthroughs, but Valerie gradually learns to forgive herself and imagine a future.

Shifting Friendships

Valerie's relationships with her old friends, especially Stacey, are strained and often irreparable. She is ostracized by many, but unexpected kindness comes from Jessica Campbell, the girl she saved. Jessica's overtures are awkward but sincere, and a tentative friendship develops. Through the Student Council's memorial project, Valerie finds a sense of purpose and connection. The process of working with former enemies and victims' families is fraught but ultimately healing, as Valerie learns the power of empathy and shared grief.

Jessica's Unexpected Kindness

Jessica's willingness to reach out to Valerie is a turning point. Their friendship is built on honesty, vulnerability, and the shared experience of trauma. Jessica advocates for Valerie, helping to clear her name and inviting her into new social circles. Together, they work on the memorial project, interviewing victims' families and gathering stories. The process is painful but transformative, as both girls confront their pasts and learn to see each other—and themselves—in a new light.

Facing the School Again

Valerie's return to school is a daily trial. She faces hostility from some, indifference from others, and the constant threat of being scapegoated. The administration's attempts at "solidarity" are superficial, and true healing comes only through personal connections and hard conversations. Valerie is forced to confront her own complicity in the culture of hate, as well as the limits of her responsibility. Through art, therapy, and the memorial project, she begins to reclaim her voice and agency.

Family Fractures

The shooting accelerates the breakdown of Valerie's family. Her parents' marriage dissolves, her father begins a new relationship, and her brother Frankie drifts away. Valerie is caught in the crossfire, blamed for the family's troubles and forced to navigate shifting loyalties. The loss of family stability mirrors her internal chaos, but also pushes her toward independence. She learns that healing is not just personal, but relational, and that forgiveness must extend to herself and those she loves.

Art as Healing

Art becomes Valerie's refuge and means of self-expression. Through painting and drawing, she processes her trauma and begins to see the world—and herself—more compassionately. A local artist, Bea, encourages her to embrace creativity as a form of healing. Valerie's art becomes central to the memorial project, and her drawings are ultimately included in the school's time capsule. The act of creation helps her move from victim and scapegoat to survivor and storyteller.

The Memorial Project

The Student Council's memorial project brings together students, families, and staff to honor the victims of the shooting. Valerie and Jessica lead the effort, gathering stories and mementos for a time capsule and bench. The process is emotionally taxing but unites the community in shared remembrance. At graduation, Valerie and Jessica present the memorial, reading stories of the victims and acknowledging the complexity of grief and healing. The project allows Valerie to reclaim her narrative and contribute to the school's future.

Relapse and Recovery

Valerie's journey is not linear. She faces setbacks, including threats from classmates, a traumatic encounter at a party, and renewed suspicion from her family. She is forced to confront the ongoing reality of hate and the limits of forgiveness. With support from Dr. Hieler, Jessica, and her own resilience, Valerie recommits to healing. She learns to set boundaries, seek help, and advocate for herself. The process is ongoing, but she emerges stronger and more self-aware.

Graduation and Moving Forward

At graduation, Valerie and Jessica present the memorial, honoring the victims and acknowledging the enduring impact of the shooting. Valerie's journey comes full circle as she finds acceptance, forgiveness, and a sense of purpose. She decides to take time to recover before considering college, embracing the uncertainty of the future with hope. The story ends with Valerie leaving Garvin, her past acknowledged but no longer defining her, ready to write her own story.

Characters

Valerie Leftman

Valerie is the protagonist, a high school student whose life is shattered by the school shooting perpetrated by her boyfriend, Nick. She is intelligent, creative, and deeply sensitive, but also angry and alienated. Her creation of the Hate List, intended as a private vent, becomes the focal point of blame after the tragedy. Valerie's journey is one of self-discovery, as she grapples with guilt, public judgment, and the need for forgiveness. Through therapy, art, and new friendships, she learns to accept her past and imagine a future beyond trauma.

Nick Levil

Nick is Valerie's boyfriend and the shooter. He is intelligent, sensitive, and deeply wounded by bullying and family dysfunction. His fascination with death and dark humor masks profound pain and alienation. Nick's relationship with Valerie is intense and co-dependent, offering both solace and reinforcement of negative worldviews. His actions are both shocking and, in retrospect, tragically foreshadowed. Nick's legacy is complex—he is both loved and reviled, victim and villain, and his memory haunts Valerie and the community.

Jessica Campbell

Jessica is a popular student and frequent target of Valerie and Nick's resentment. She is initially portrayed as a bully, but after the shooting—when Valerie saves her life—she undergoes significant growth. Jessica reaches out to Valerie, offering friendship and support when few others will. Her willingness to change, confront her own flaws, and advocate for Valerie is pivotal in the healing process. Jessica embodies the possibility of reconciliation and the power of empathy.

Stacey Brinks

Stacey is Valerie's childhood friend, caught between loyalty and self-preservation. After the shooting, she distances herself from Valerie, unable to reconcile their shared past with the present reality. Stacey's actions reflect the broader community's struggle to process trauma and assign blame. Her relationship with Valerie is marked by nostalgia, regret, and the painful limits of friendship in the face of tragedy.

Dr. Rex Hieler

Dr. Hieler is Valerie's psychologist, providing a safe space for her to process trauma and rebuild her identity. He is patient, insightful, and direct, challenging Valerie to confront her feelings and take responsibility for her healing. Dr. Hieler's support is instrumental in Valerie's recovery, offering both practical tools and emotional validation. He represents the importance of mental health care and the possibility of growth after trauma.

Valerie's Mother (Jenny Leftman)

Jenny is Valerie's mother, struggling to cope with the aftermath of the shooting and the dissolution of her marriage. She is protective, anxious, and often overbearing, desperate to keep Valerie safe and restore normalcy. Her relationship with Valerie is strained by mistrust and mutual misunderstanding, but ultimately grounded in love. Jenny's journey mirrors Valerie's, as she learns to let go, trust, and find hope in the future.

Valerie's Father (Ted Leftman)

Ted is Valerie's father, a successful lawyer whose emotional distance and infidelity contribute to the family's breakdown. He is quick to judge and slow to forgive, often blaming Valerie for the family's troubles. His inability to connect with Valerie reflects his own unresolved issues. Ted's arc is one of gradual, if incomplete, reconciliation, as he comes to terms with his own failures and the need for forgiveness.

Frankie Leftman

Frankie is Valerie's younger brother, caught in the crossfire of family and school trauma. He is supportive but increasingly distant, seeking stability and normalcy where he can find it. Frankie's struggles highlight the ripple effects of violence and the challenges faced by siblings of those at the center of tragedy. His eventual adaptation and resilience offer a note of hope.

Duce Barnes

Duce is Nick's close friend and part of Valerie's old social circle. He is also suspected and ostracized after the shooting, struggling with guilt and anger. Duce's relationship with Valerie is strained but ultimately reconciled, as they share the unique burden of surviving and being blamed for Nick's actions. Duce represents the complexity of grief and the need for mutual understanding among survivors.

Ginny Baker

Ginny is a student who is severely injured in the shooting and later attempts suicide. Her journey parallels Valerie's, as she struggles with physical and emotional scars, public scrutiny, and the search for meaning. Ginny's willingness to forgive and her recognition of Nick's humanity offer Valerie a path toward self-acceptance. Ginny embodies the long-term impact of trauma and the possibility of healing.

Plot Devices

Dual Timelines and Flashbacks

The novel employs a dual timeline structure, alternating between the aftermath of the shooting and flashbacks to Valerie's relationship with Nick and the events leading up to the tragedy. This structure allows readers to gradually piece together the motivations, misunderstandings, and missed warnings that culminated in the shooting. The use of flashbacks deepens character development and complicates the narrative of blame, showing how small choices and accumulated pain can lead to catastrophe.

The Hate List as Symbol

The Hate List is both a literal object and a powerful symbol. Initially a private joke and coping mechanism, it becomes evidence in the investigation and a focal point for public outrage. The list represents the dangers of unchecked anger, the blurred line between fantasy and action, and the human need to assign blame. Ultimately, Valerie's transformation of the list—through art and the memorial project—signals her journey from victim to survivor, from hate to healing.

Media and Public Perception

The novel explores the role of media in shaping public perception, often distorting the truth and reducing complex individuals to simplistic narratives. Valerie's identity is constructed and deconstructed by reporters, administrators, and classmates, highlighting the challenges of reclaiming one's story in the face of sensationalism. The tension between private pain and public spectacle is a recurring theme, underscoring the need for authentic connection and understanding.

Therapy and Self-Reflection

Valerie's sessions with Dr. Hieler provide a framework for self-reflection and growth. Therapy is depicted as a slow, nonlinear process, marked by resistance, breakthroughs, and setbacks. Art becomes an extension of therapy, offering Valerie a means to process trauma and communicate when words fail. The interplay of dialogue, memory, and creativity illustrates the multifaceted nature of healing.

Memorialization and Community Healing

The memorial project serves as a plot device for collective healing and reconciliation. By gathering stories, artifacts, and memories, Valerie and her peers honor the victims and confront the complexity of grief. The project becomes a means of reclaiming agency, rewriting the narrative of hate, and fostering empathy. The graduation ceremony, with its public acknowledgment of pain and hope, provides closure and a vision for the future.

Analysis

Jennifer Brown's novel is a powerful meditation on the aftermath of tragedy, the complexity of human relationships, and the long, difficult path to forgiveness—of others and oneself. Through Valerie's journey, the book interrogates the ways in which anger, alienation, and misunderstanding can fester into catastrophe, but also how empathy, creativity, and honest dialogue can foster recovery. The story resists simplistic narratives of villainy and victimhood, instead offering a portrait of a community—and an individual—struggling to move forward. In a world where violence and blame are all too common, "Hate List" insists on the necessity of seeing what's really there: the pain, the hope, and the enduring possibility of change.

Last updated: May 24, 2025