I'm Not Dying with You Tonight

by Kimberly Jones, Gilly Segal

Overview

A fast-paced YA thriller about race, identity, and what happens when everything falls apart in one night.

Lena has style, confidence, and big dreams. Campbell's the new girl, just trying to keep her head down. They barely know each other—until a night at a high school football game spirals into a violent race riot, and suddenly, they only have each other to count on.

Told in two powerful voices, I'm Not Dying With You Tonight pulls readers into one chaotic evening that changes everything. Gripped by the tension, the fear, and the unexpected connection of these two girls who are trying to make it home and make sense of the world burning around them, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas calls it "an absolute page-turner." 

Perfect for fans of socially conscious YA fiction, high-stakes thrillers, and stories that challenge assumptions, I'm Not Dying With You Tonight is more than just a survival story—it's a bold, thought-provoking read that stays with you long after the night ends.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728240237
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	09/07/2021
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 5.50(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

KIMBERLY JONES is the New York Times bestselling author of the NAACP Image Award nominated novel I’m Not Dying with You Tonight. She is the former manager of the bookstore Little Shop of Stories and currently works in the entertainment industry. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

GILLY SEGAL is the New York Times bestselling author of the NAACP Image Award nominated novel I’m Not Dying with You Tonight. She grew up in Florida, attended Hebrew University and Emory School of Law. She is currently the chief legal officer of an advertising agency. Visit gillysegal.com.

Editorial Reviews

"An absolute page turner, I’m Not Dying with You Tonight is a compelling and powerful novel that is sure to make an impact." — Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give

"A vital addition to the YA race relations canon." — Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin

"An astounding achievement. This novel is an incendiary experience, one that does not shy away from difficult questions about privilege and violence. But Jones and Segal don’t hold our hands to provide us easy answers; this is a book meant to be devoured in a single sitting and discussed for years to come." — Mark Oshiro, Schneider Family Book Award Winner – 2019 for Anger is a Gift

"I’m Not Dying With You Tonight is a powerful examination of privilege, and how friends are often found in surprising places. Jones and Segal have penned a page-turning debut, as timely as it is addictive." — David Arnold, New York Times bestselling author of Mosquitoland and Kids of Appetite

"Captivating and poignant, I'm Not Dying With You Tonight will stay with you long after you turn the last page." — Marieke Nijkamp, #1 New York Times bestselling author of This is Where It Ends

"This YA novel is important reading for both teenagers and adults alike." — HelloGiggles

"This co-written novel delivers an explosive story, exploring complicated issues as two girls try to survive a horrifying evening. It’s not to be missed." — Paste Magazine

"This is a book that is sure to make young readers think, highlighting the importance of understanding different perspectives as its chapters alternate between Lena’s and Campbell’s points of view. An eye-opening read that will be useful for starting conversations in group settings." — Booklist

"Each chapter keeps the pages turning until a satisfying, but unpredictable, ending. Highly recommended...Librarians will want to ­purchase this ­relevant and discussion-­worthy YA ­novel." — School Library Journal

"A powerful examination of society and perspective that shows the dangers in failing to challenge our biases. A must-read." — Lamar Giles, critically acclaimed author of Spin

From the Publisher

2019-05-22
Two teenage girls—Lena and Campbell—come together following a football game night gone wrong.

Campbell, who is white and new to Atlanta, now attends the school where Lena, who is black, is a queen bee. At a game between McPherson High and their rival, a racist slur leads to fights, and shots are fired. The unlikely pair are thrown together as they try to escape the dangers on campus only to find things are even more perilous on the outside; a police blockade forces them to walk through a dangerous neighborhood toward home. En route, a peaceful protest turns into rioting, and the presence of police sets off a clash with protestors with gruesome consequences. The book attempts to tackle racial injustice in America by offering two contrasting viewpoints via narrators of different races. However, it portrays black characters as violent and criminal and the white ones as excusably ignorant and subtly racist, seemingly redeemed by moments when they pause to consider their privileges and biases. Unresolved story arcs, underdeveloped characters, and a jumpy plot that tries to pack too much into too small a space leave the story lacking. This is not a story of friendship but of how trauma can forge a bond—albeit a weak and questionable one—if only for a night.

An unpolished grab bag of incidents that tries to make a point about racial inequality. (Fiction. 15-adult)

Kirkus Reviews