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I recently saw this announcement on Publisher’s Marketplace:
Memoir
Mother of Dylan Klebold, one of Columbine High School shooters, Sue Klebold’s story, inviting readers into the very private struggle of the last fifteen years as she and her family have tried to understand the events of that terrible day and the role they ultimately played in it, with the hope that the insights she has gleaned can help other families see the signs when their children need help, to Roger Scholl at Crown, by Laurie Bernstein at Side by Side Literary Productions (world), with W.H. Allen publishing in the UK.
It’s rare that you hear the perpetrator’s side of the story when it comes to crime and violence. How many memoirs are written from the victim’s point of view? Since Klebold can’t speak for himself, his mother has to serve as proxy. The Publisher’s Marketplace entry suggests that Sue Klebold will write about where the family may have gone wrong. To me, this is so, so rare. Personal responsibility is sorely lacking; we are hesitant to blame humans and would rather blame society, the media, or other such faceless organizations. Of course situations are complicated; there’s no one place to lay blame for the Columbine shooting. But I am eager to hear Sue Klebold’s side of the story.
It looks like ultimately she wants the book to serve some good. Could her story help other families who are struggling with behavior or psychological issues in their children? I hope so.
It also brings up a bigger story about mothers. We give credit to mothers who end up with successful adult children, but shun those whose children have gone down a wayward path.
Can a book like this bring some closure to those who were affected? It seems that silence does victims a disservice. Might it be healing to read her words?
What do you think about this book? Will you read it? What would you hope to get from it?
If You Have Five Seconds to Spare 
I am reading Sue Klebold’s book. I have a 13 yr old grandson who is putting up redflags all over. Parents do not want to think he is depressed.
He sleeps 6pm-645am -up for school. Went from As in school to failing everything. Does not even participate in classes. Was online with emos, depression groups, suicidal people until his internet privileges were revoked.
Got sent home from school due to disturbing answers to questions post suicide prevention class. Was taken to a crisis center and turned away as not a threat to himself or others. The next day was sent home for writing on his hand and arm “kill yourself”.
How can a grandmother intervene? Mom says he needs discipline. Dad says it is attention seeking. Live in the Raleigh NC area. Please -are these warning signs. He said to a friend that he thinks his little brother is the devil.
Very worried grandma
I hope you can find the resources that you’re looking for. I do not have any experience with these kind of issues. I am thinking that professionals in your area should be able to give you some guidance. Good luck.
I do want to read it. I’m curious what she’ll say about parenting and what she thinks happened to her son, her thoughts on mental illness (assuming she’ll bring that up). I’m glad she wrote it, too, because you’re right, Rachael–too often parents blame everyone else but themselves for their children’s choices. There definitely needs to be more accountability and personal responsibility. Good news coming from a teacher: Boy A bit Boy B. Boy A had some consequences at school. The boys are neighbors, so the parents of Boy A took him over to Boy B’s house to apologize. Those kinds of things seem rare sometimes, but at least it happened. Let me/us know what you think after you read the book!
I’m curious, too, as to any personal responsibility she takes. I see there’s no title as of yet and no release date.