What a relief that the reviews are coming in positive. Booklist just gave Parkland a starred review*, opening: Cullen, the author of the groundbreaking Columbine(2009), brings his eloquence, expertise, combination of deep research and concision, and unbiased perspective to yet another mass school shooting, revealing its deepest layers and resonance. I like the conclusion even better: This moving, defining, and important account of an essential and vital youth movement dedicated to change and saving lives belongs in every public and school library. I'm so glad they said high school libraries. Kids really embraced Columbine, and I hope they find Parkland just as stimulating. And that's why thi
This book launch has already been a bit of a thrill, but the biggest surprise so far came this week. AppleBooks created a special feature of "10 Authors to Read in 2019," with a mix of some classics--Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch and Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad--and some new voices. And me! For Parkland: Birth of a Movement. I wasn't sure what to make of it, but the Harper people were stunned, and said, Yeah, it's a big deal. So woohoo. I'm happy. Publication day is inching closer. Feb 12. It will be out in every conceivable format, including ebook, audio, large-print--and of course, hardcover. I have links to the major place to pre-order Parkland. And BTW, if you plan to buy t
The first review just came in for Parkland: Birth of a Movement, and it's a starred review, from one of the 4 major advance-review pubs, Kirkus. The last time Kirkus awarded a star for nonfiction was Nov 1! That will be 3 months when its Parkland review appears in their Feb. 1 print edition. (Just posted online.) Kirkus defines a starred review as: "Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit." The opening clause made me happy: An incisive study of one of the past year's most significant mass shootings . . . But it was the closing line that made my heart skip a beat: In both Columbine and this up-to-the minute portrait of the Parkland tragedy, Cullen has produced masterpieces that are simultaneous
Big day. What a sight. The first box of galleys arrived last Wednesday for Parkland: Birth of a Movement.* (Sorry, I was a bit slow getting here to post. It's been crazy.) Release date is Feb. 12, but a hundred of you can read it early. HarperCollins is running a giveaway of 100 galleys at Goodreads. Entry runs through Jan 11, so you have 3 more days. Good luck! You can also pre-order now, in all formats (hardcover, audio, ebook, large-print, etc.) Links at my Parkland site: And if you like the book, please, post on social media, rate/review on Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, etc. It makes a huge difference. I would love it if you post a pic of yourself with the book. (I may do a contest for most in
Exciting news. A Chinese publisher just bought Columbine. When the book came out, I was kind of amazed by the reception in the U.S., which also surprised the publishing industry. It hadn't sold in translation, because hardly anyone in the business thought anyone would buy it. And then the tenth anniversary was past, so a lot of foreign publishers felt it was too late, and it only sold into Japanese translation. It took a second decade, but more have been coming. It was published in Korean about a year ago, and Brazilian and Russian publishers bought the rights last year, and are working on Portuguese and Russian translations. (Due probably 2020.) Now China, which had long been a dream. (Just
