How Jodi Picoult’s banned book stopped real-life tragedies. Jodi Picoult’s novel “Nineteen Minutes” — which deals with school shootings and bullying — is currently the most banned book in the country, often over a single word on one page. At Keene State’s 2025 commencement, she reminded graduates just how powerful these types of stories can be. She’s received hundreds of emails from readers saying that “Nineteen Minutes” stopped them from bringing a gun to school. For them, the book wasn’t harmful; it was a lifeline. It showed they weren’t alone. Jodi asked everyone to think back to a book that changed their life, and then to imagine what it would mean if that book wasn’t available to them. She reminds us that stories don’t just entertain. They help us understand each other and navigate our complicated world. And sometimes, that can be life-changing. #Books #BannedBooks #Insight #Storytelling #GunViolenceAwareness