42 pages 1 hour read

Lois Duncan

Killing Mr. Griffin

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1978

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan, a group of high school students, led by the charismatic Mark, kidnaps their strict English teacher, Mr. Griffin, to scare him into being more lenient. However, the situation spirals out of control when Mr. Griffin dies, leading the students to cover up the incident. Themes include peer pressure, guilt, and anger, exploring the consequences of their actions. The book addresses issues of violence and murder.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan receives mixed reviews for its engaging but unsettling plot. Many commend its ability to captivate young adult readers with suspense and psychological complexity. However, some criticize the characters for being implausible and morally ambiguous. Overall, it is praised for originality but questioned for ethical implications.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Killing Mr. Griffin?

Readers who enjoy Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan are typically teens interested in suspenseful, psychological thrillers with moral dilemmas. Fans of books like The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney and I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan will find this novel captivating and thought-provoking.

Recommended

Reading Age

14-18years

Lexile Level

720L

Book Details

Genre

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Realistic Fiction

Topics

Trauma / Abuse / Violence

Education

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Apathy

Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Emotions/Behavior: Fear