Three Things I Know Are True

Fans of Jandy Nelson and Marieke Nijkamp will love this deeply moving novel in verse about the aftermath of a gun accident.

Life changes forever for Liv when her older brother, Jonah, accidentally shoots himself with his best friend Clay’s father’s gun. Now Jonah needs round-the-clock care just to stay alive, and Liv feels like she’s the only person who can see that her brother is still there inside his broken body.

With Liv’s mom suing Clay’s family, there are divisions in the community that Liv knows she’s not supposed to cross. But Clay is her friend, too, and she refuses to turn away from him―just like she refuses to give up on Jonah.

This powerful novel is a stunning exploration of tragedy, grief, compassion, and forgiveness.

Caught between blame and loyalty, how can one girl hold her family, her friendships, and herself together?

• A Heartbreaking Novel in Verse: Told through spare, powerful poems, this story captures the raw emotion of a family shattered by a single gunshot.
• A Community Divided: As Liv’s mother sues Clay’s family, she must navigate a town that has chosen sides, where a line is drawn down the middle of the street and her heart.
• Coming of Age Amidst Tragedy: While caring for her brother and fighting for her friendships, Liv must discover a strength she never knew she had.
• Timely and Important: Perfect for classrooms and readers of all ages, this book opens up essential conversations about gun safety, blame, and empathy.

Betty Culley lives in central Maine, where the rivers run through the small towns. She’s an RN who worked as an obstetrics nurse and as a pediatric home hospice nurse. She went into foster care at nine months old and was adopted three years later. As an adult, she was found by five siblings she never knew she had. Visit her online at www.bettyculley.com.