This Is Where It Ends 

• Genre: Fiction; Young Adult Contemporary 
• Originally Published: 2016 
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 630L; Grades 9-12 
• Structure/Length: Divided into 25 chapters with an Epilogue; approximately 288 pages; approximately 6 hours and 18 minutes on audiobook
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The story unfolds over 54 harrowing minutes of a school shooting, told from the perspectives of four students with personal connections to the shooter. The central conflict revolves around the terror of the event, the struggle for survival, and the complex web of personal relationships that weave through the narrative.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Graphic violence; themes of death and trauma; depiction of a school shooting; references to sexual assault; emotional distress

Marieke Nijkamp, Author 

• Bio: Born 1986; Dutch novelist; known for exploring stories of young people confronted with violence and adversity; New York Times best seller; uses they/them pronouns; has been a vocal advocate for diversity and representation in literature, especially regarding disability, LGBTQIA+ identities, and mental health.
• Other Works: Before I Let Go (2018); Even If We Break (2020) 
• Awards: America Library Association’s Teen’s Top Ten Award (2018)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Personal Relationships and Family Trauma
• Heroic Courage
• How News Spreads Through a Community

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will: