3.5 rounded up

This book moves at a breakneck pace and takes place over one evening. We follow two high school girls as they try to run home after a brawl breaks out at a football game. Lena (black) and Campbell (white) become friends over the course of their adventure, but are forced to confront some uncomfortable truth regarding race along the way.

I think I'm Not Dying with You Tonight would be a good way to get teenagers talking about race in a nuanced way, given how many salient situations are presented throughout the book. Campbell understands that calling someone a racial slur is "messed up" but then doesn't get why Lena doesn't feel safe asking the police for help, for example.

Although this book is ripe for conversation, it ended too quickly and there were a lot of missed opportunities for character and story development. Some of the questions you're left with could have been answered in the text without taking away from the story or discussion.

Overall, I would still definitely recommend it and could see it being taught in a high school class. I only wish there was just a little bit more so that the reader is left with wonder instead of confusion.