On Feb 14, 2018, one of the worst school shootings in American history took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.  While most people in Parkland mourned the loss of those who had died, a small group of students were frantically working together to create a movement that would bring attention to gun violence.  This movement would become known as March for Our Lives and they have now released a book titled Glimmer of Hope, focusing around the creation and goal of this foundation.     

Before even reading the book, the cover immediately caught my eye with its orange font.  The color orange has become the nation’s symbol in the fight to end gun violence. The background is filled with whimsically drawn people holding signs that read messages such as “Books not Bullets” and “Am I Next?”         

The book then opens with a poem that’s repeating line is “Just another day, not another number.”  By starting the book with a poem, it sets the tone for the rest of the book: that the students refuse to let this shooting become just another statistic.    

A unique part of the book is that each chapter is written by a different student who helped to found March for Our Lives.  Some of those who helped in writing the book were also alumni of the school.  Having not only students but alumni also help in creating March for Our Lives really showed me just how connected the people of Parkland are–to all come together, all wanting to help create a positive change.

My personal favorite chapter in the book is titled “The First Day Back At School: February 28.” In this chapter each student wrote a few small paragraphs about there experience of the first day back.  Personally, David Hogg’s section describing how the first day felt for him showed me just how horrific the event truly was.

“Imagine getting in a plane crash and then having to get on that same plane everyday without fixing the problem that caused the plane to crash in the first place,” wrote Hogg.

At the end of each chapter, a full page image is shown. This enhances the feeling you get from reading the book.  Many of the photos at the beginning of the book are filled with flowers and signs, in honor of those students who died in the shooting.  As you progress through the book, the photos are students in action; from students talking with members of the government, to students at rallies calling out chants.  

The book concludes with what is next for the foundation.  They have now launched a nationwide tour called “Road to Change.”  The aim of this tour is to “get young people educated, registered, and motivated to vote.” 

Matt Deitsch who wrote this chapter of the book, repeatedly emphasized how important it is to vote.  Deitsch discuses how we the people know the community the best, and that our politicians and leaders often lose touch of what the true reality it. 

“Look at Marco Rubio, who represents Florida in the Senate,” writes Deitsch. “How often does he go down to Liberty City, a place where gun violence affects the community every day.”  Thus, by using our right to vote politicians can better understand what truly needs changed in the U.S.  

Glimmer of Hope showed a new perspective on just how quickly the students and alumni of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School rallied together after such a tragic event.  The strength and courage these individuals displayed to create March for Our Lives was perfectly captured in Glimmer of Hope.