Save me by Lisa Scottoline

Synopsis:

This is a fiction book about Rose McKenna, a mother whom volunteers in her daughter Melinda’s elementary school in order to keep an eye on Amanda, a girl who’s bullying Melinda. One day, after Rose’s daughter goes to the bathroom after being bullied by Amanda, there is a huge explosion in the school kitchen. Rose has to decide whether to rescue her daughter or Amanda. After the explosion is over, Rose’s daughter survives and recovers, but Amanda has injuries due to the explosion because unknown to Rose Amanda was still in the school.

Rose is blamed by the community. Amanda’s mother sues her, her marriage is challenged, and after Melinda returns to school the bullying of Melinda gets worse. Eventually, Amanda wakes up from her coma, and Rose is able to prove that she is not responsible for what or happened to Amanda, and her injuries are due to negligence and the lack of fire safety procedures at the school as well as a premeditated murder at the school planned to kill one of the teachers. The other women apologize to Rose, and Melinda and Amanda become friends.

Review:

I enjoyed this book and found it to be very thought provoking and made me think about what I would do in this situation.

“It was the choice from hell, in hell. Rose could save Melly, or she could save Amanda and Emily. She had to choose now.”

“You’re supposed to save your own child. That’s why we each get a mother. My mother would’ve saved me, no question. My mother would’ve walked on bodies to save me, and you’re an even better than she was.”

“We have our own faith, and we rely on it always.”