Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Synopsis
The Wave is based on a true incident that occured in a high school history class in Palo Alto, California, in 1967. The powerful forces of group pressure that pervaded many historic movements such as Nazism are recreated in the classroom when history teacher Burt Ross introduces a "new" system to his students. And before long "The Wave," with its rules of "strength through discipline, community, and action, " sweeps from the classroom through the entire school. And as most of the students join the movement, Laurie Saunders and David Collins recognize the frightening momentum of "The Wave" and realize they must stop it before it's too late.
Tags
Is The Wave appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
A classroom experiment exploring fascism and group dynamics escalates dangerously, demonstrating how peer pressure and authoritarian structures can take hold. Contains mature themes about manipulation and totalitarianism appropriate for teens.
What to know going in
This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include manipulation, gaslighting, and peer pressure (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
A gripping story about students who must recognize and stop a dangerous classroom movement before it spirals out of control.