Bang by Barry Lyga

What is the worst thing that you think someone can do to their sibling? Embarrass them? Rough them up in a fight? Betray them? What about accidentally killing them with a gun? That is exactly what happened to Sebastian Cody when he was only four years old. He got a hold of his father’s gun and shot his 4 month old sister, Lola.

Ten years later, Sebastian is 14 years old living in the same house and haunted by the oppressive guilt of his actions so many years ago. His father has left years ago. His best friend is leaving for the summer. Sebastian sees only one way out. He figures that a gun got himself into this pain so a gun can get him out of it. Sebastian is planning suicide. But then a new family moves into his block, and a girl his age named Aneesa doesn’t know that he is the boy who killed his sister. She only knows who he is now. She likes his personality. Together they work together to become a bit of a YouTube sensation. It seems like this might be a turning point for Sebastian. But then school starts again in the fall and conflicts start. Will his newfound internet fame mean that Aneesa will discover his past? Will Sebastian follow through with his plan?

I feel like Barry Lyga tackled the topic of gun violence in an interesting way. Often young adult books deal with guns by having teens wield the weapons. This story starts when the teen protagonist was just a child. The big conflict is Sebastian dealing with the guilt of his actions so many years ago. This is ultimately a book about healing. What helps us heal? What is an obstacle to our healing?

Not only did Lyga handle the topic of guns and suicide ideation well, but he also touched on the topic of Islamophobia and bullying. I never felt like the book took on a preachy tone. Rather I found myself rooting for Sebastian. What I appreciated about this book was that, as a reader, I thought I had predicted how it would all resolve, but Lyga ending up surprising me.

If you are looking for a realistic young adult book that tackles tough issues with likable characters, this book is for you. This book is recommended for students who enjoyed books like I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson and Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner.


Available at AHS, BCHS, ECHS, GVHS, and MHS. If a copy isn't available at your site, talk to library staff about requesting from one of our other district libraries.