about the book
Leonard Peacock feels let down by all the adults in his life, and his classmates seem like blind, unquestioning sheep to him. Unhappiness has made him convinced that only more sadness is waiting for him in the future.
Leonard takes his grandfather’s WWII P-38 pistol to school one day, intending on shooting his former best friend, then himself.
Before he does that, Leonard revisits all his favorite places and the important people in his life: the old movie-loving neighbor; a classmate whose skill in music Leonard admires; his favorite teacher; and a girl who often hands out religious tracts at the train station.
Leonard himself doesn’t really know why he is doing this. Maybe he secretly believes there is more to life than what he has planned, and he is hoping that one of these people will give him reason to go on living…
about the author
Matthew Quick, usually called “Q,” has authored several bestselling books, including The Silver Linings Playbook, which was turned into an Oscar-winning movie.
Born in Philadelphia, Q was then across the Delaware River in New Jersey. He graduated from La Salle University with a double-major in English and education. For several years after college, he taught high school literature and film, and coached soccer and basketball in his off-time.
In 2004, Q decided to quit teaching and follow his dream of becoming a fiction writer. He earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and has been writing ever since.
Q lives with his wife, Alicia Bessette, a novelist herself as well as a piano player.
Source:
Author website
Book trailer: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock
Also by Matthew Quick:
Boy 21. Little, Brown and Company. 2012.
Sorta Like a Rock Star. Little, Brown and Company. 2010.
read more!
Boy 21 by Matthew Quick
Finley, number 21, is the only white kid on his school’s varsity basketball team. Russ also played basketball at his old school in the 21 jersey, but tragedy has scarred him and he can no longer play. Still, Russ will answer only to “Boy 21.” Finley is tasked with taking Boy 21 under his wing. Both boys will be changed by their friendship.
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
After her sister is killed in a car accident, Violet never recovers emotionally. One day, she climbs the school’s bell tower to commit suicide, only to find that Theodore, better known as Freak, is already there. He talks her down, befriends her, partners up with her on a school project, and pursues her romantically. Slowly he brings her back to life. But Freak has his own personal demons. When really bad things start to happen, will Violet stay by Theodore’s side?
The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand
Seven weeks after her younger brother, Tyler, commits suicide, nerdy math whiz Lexie finds her life unraveling. Her grades are plummeting; her family is disintegrating; her boyfriend has left; and she is pulling away from her friends. Assigned to write her thoughts in a journal by her therapist, Tyler has flashbacks that reveal a little about what her brother was thinking. Will it be enough to help her pull her life back together?



