#NeverAgain Book Summary - #NeverAgain Book explained in key points
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#NeverAgain summary

David Hogg & Lauren Hogg

A New Generation Draws the Line

3.3 (21 ratings)
18 mins

Brief summary

'#NeverAgain' by David and Lauren Hogg is a memoir about the Parkland shooting survivors' fight for gun control. It highlights their activism and determination to make a change.

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    #NeverAgain
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    The Parkland, Florida, school shooting was a tipping point that drove students to action.

    On February 14, 2018, a former student of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, opened fire on campus, killing 17 students and staff members. The tragedy was not the first of its kind, nor was it the last, but, for many students, it represented a tipping point. Enough was enough.

    For 14-year-old Lauren Hogg, the day started out feeling special. Students exchanged Valentine’s Day cards; a sense of celebration hung in the air. So when the fire alarm went off during her last class of the day, she, like many other students, wondered whether it wasn’t just another holiday prank. After all, they’d already had a fire drill that morning.

    In fact, they had been told by teachers to expect a shooting drill at some point soon, complete with actors and the firing of blanks. So when they saw students running across campus, some still felt there wasn’t anything to worry about. Drills for what to do in the event of a school shooting had become routine.

    But Lauren was scared, and when she heard teachers shouting, “Code red!” she grabbed her friends, ran back to their classroom and hid in the back room. They waited there for three hours, terrified and unsure of what was happening. Now and then, they’d get a hasty, fragmented text from a friend.

    Eventually, they were found and pulled out by the police, who sent them outside to the parking lot. Many parents were waiting there, and Lauren managed to find her dad. They went home, but everything suddenly sank in when they turned on the TV and she saw the faces of the students, her friends, who’d been pronounced missing.

    That was when her 17-year-old brother, David, decided he needed to go back to the school and tell reporters what had happened. He explained to the media that something needed to be done to protect schoolchildren, and, over the next few days, he banded together with other students to try and do something themselves.

    These kids were all born after the 1999 Columbine High School shooting. Each was familiar with red-code drills. Each had grown up in fear of just such an event. They were ready for change.

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    What is #NeverAgain about?

    In #NeverAgain (2018), siblings and survivors David and Lauren Hogg explain what happened during the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, in February 2018 and what led them to take a stand. The aftermath of this tragedy differed from that of previous shootings. The students, rather than waiting for politicians to do something, started personally campaigning for change and gun control.

    #NeverAgain Review

    #NeverAgain (2018) by David Hogg & Lauren Hogg discusses the aftermath of the Parkland shooting and the youth-led movement that emerged from it. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It offers a compelling firsthand account of a tragic event and the resilience of young individuals coming together to demand change.
    • By sharing personal experiences and perspectives, the book provides insight into the power of activism and the impact that young voices can have.
    • It goes beyond the headlines, delving into policy, gun control, and the complexities surrounding the issue, keeping readers engaged and highlighting the importance of critical thinking.

    Best quote from #NeverAgain

    Our first job now is to remember. Our second job is to act.

    —David Hogg & Lauren Hogg
    example alt text

    Who should read #NeverAgain?

    • People who doubt that high schoolers know enough to drive real change
    • Anyone who wants to know how the #neveragain movement was born
    • Those interested in the debate on US gun control

    About the Author

    David Hogg and Lauren Hogg both attend Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and were there during the attack in February 2018. They are both members of March for Our Lives, the organization that led the protest on March 24, 2018. This is their first book.

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    #NeverAgain FAQs 

    What is the main message of #NeverAgain?

    The main message of #NeverAgain is to inspire young people to speak out and take action against gun violence.

    How long does it take to read #NeverAgain?

    The reading time for #NeverAgain varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is #NeverAgain a good book? Is it worth reading?

    #NeverAgain is worth reading as it provides a powerful account of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting and the subsequent fight for gun control.

    Who is the author of #NeverAgain?

    The authors of #NeverAgain are David Hogg and Lauren Hogg.

    What to read after #NeverAgain?

    If you're wondering what to read next after #NeverAgain, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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