That Night

An evocative story by acclaimed author Amy Giles about tragedy, love, and learning to heal. The year since a mass shooting shook their Queens neighborhood has played out differently for Jess and Lucas, both of whom were affected by that night in eerily similar and deeply personal ways. As Jess struggles to take care of her depressed mother and Lucas takes up boxing under the ever-watchful eye of his overprotective parents, their paths converge. They slowly become friends and then something more, learning to heal and move forward together. But what does it mean to love after an unspeakable tragedy? Dual POV: Told from the perspectives of Jess and Lucas, two teens grappling with the impossible year after the night that changed everything. Coping with Trauma: He turns to boxing to quiet the noise in his head. She tries to hold her family together. But they can’t run from the past forever. Mental Health Representation: An honest exploration of PTSD, anxiety, and depression in the aftermath of a tragedy that feels both authentic and deeply moving. A Hopeful First Love: Can two people shattered by loss find a way to piece themselves—and each other—back together?