Killing Mr. Griffin

A group of high school students in New Mexico plot to kidnap their demanding English teacher, Mr. Griffin, who is known for his harsh grading and inflexible policies. The plan originates with Mark Kinney, a senior who must repeat Griffin's class after being caught plagiarizing. The conspirators include popular students David, Jeff, and Betsy, along with straight-A student Susan McConnell who struggles to earn good grades in Griffin's class. The students devise their scheme as an act of revenge against what they perceive as unfair treatment. This 1978 suspense novel examines the psychology of group dynamics and the blurred lines between teenage rebellion and serious criminal behavior. The story raises questions about authority, consequence, and the potential darkness that can emerge when students feel powerless in an academic setting.

Readers consider this a tense psychological thriller that examines how seemingly normal teenagers can make devastating choices. The book maintains suspense and explores peer pressure, group dynamics, and the consequences of actions. Readers liked: - Fast pacing and building tension - Complex character development, especially Susan and Mark - Realistic portrayal of how "good kids" get pulled into bad situations - Strong moral messaging without being preachy Readers disliked: - Some found the characters' motivations unrealistic - Dated references and language - Several readers felt the ending was rushed - Some parents concerned about dark themes for young readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (31,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (450+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "The scariest part is how believable the story feels," noted one Goodreads reviewer. An Amazon reviewer wrote: "Shows how peer pressure and poor decisions can spiral out of control quickly."

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🔍 The novel was adapted into a TV movie in 1997, starring Jay Thomas and Amy Jo Johnson of "Power Rangers" fame. 📚 Lois Duncan began writing and submitting stories to magazines at age 10 and had her first story published at age 13. ⚖️ The book was frequently challenged and banned in schools due to its dark themes, ranking #25 on the American Library Association's list of most frequently challenged books in the 1990s. 🎭 Duncan drew inspiration for the character of Mr. Griffin from her own high school English teacher, who was known for being exceptionally strict but ultimately helped shape her writing career. 📍 The New Mexico setting reflects Duncan's own life, as she lived in Albuquerque for many years and set several of her novels in the state, drawing from its unique atmosphere and culture.