There was a shooting at Pleasant Valley High School. Loner students clad in red attire attempted to kill their fellow students and teachers while wearing trench coats. Then, they committed suicide.

At Central High School, which is 50 minutes away, things begin to change, slowly at first. The administration is taking no chances that such a tragedy will happen there next. Dr. Willner enters the picture. He encourages the kids to share their feelings. He informs the students that the dress code is going to get stricter; the teens are prohibited from wearing red.

Tom Bishop is called into the office and told to remove all copies of Catcher in the Rye from the school premises. During a search for info on Joseph Stalin of Russia in the school library, he finds nothing, which is eerie. Wayward students from the school are being sent to Operation Turnaround, a survival (aka "torture") camp. Then, the kids are informed that Stephanie, whom they did not even realize went to the camp, died during an escape attempt. Mr. Trent, the principal, takes an unexpected early retirement. Things are a getting a little bit creepy and unpredictable.

Tom's father is caving to the school's incessant demands and emails about how to parent their children in order to prevent a violent tragedy in scholastic universe. Tom whispers with his amigos in front of the school, certain that the school administration is monitoring their emails and telephone conversations.  

No one fired a shot at Central High School.

After by Francine Prose, 2003

• Books about censorship
• Books about school shootings