That Weekend

Book (2021)

by Kara Thomas

"A bold and expertly plotted page-turner." --Courtney Summers, New York Times bestselling author of Sadie

From the author of The Cheerleaders, comes a thriller about best friends on a weekend getaway that goes horribly, dangerously wrong.

THREE BEST FRIENDS, A LAKE HOUSE, A SECRET TRIP -- WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

It was supposed to be the perfect prom weekend getaway. But it's clear something terrible happened when Claire wakes up alone and bloodied on a hiking trail with no memory of the past forty-eight hours.

Now everyone wants answers--most of all, Claire. She remembers Friday night, but after that . . . nothing. And now Kat and Jesse--her best friends--are missing.

What happened on the mountain? And where are Kat and Jesse? Claire knows the answers are buried somewhere in her memory. But as she's learning, everyone has secrets--even her best friends. And she's pretty sure she's not going to like what she remembers.
Young Adult Fiction / Thrillers & Suspense / General
Young Adult Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories
Young Adult Fiction / School & Education / General
336 pages
Jump to family guidance

Family guidance

Ages 14+

The themes of missing persons, physical trauma, and memory loss create a tense, high-stakes atmosphere suitable for mature teens. Younger viewers may find the focus on dangerous secrets and potential harm to peers distressing.

Every child is different. Use this guide alongside what you know about yours.

What to know before you start

Content details to help you decide what fits your child.

Sex & Nudity

2/5

The story features teenage romantic relationships and typical high school social dynamics, including some suggestive dialogue and romantic tension, but lacks explicit sexual content.

Violence & Gore

3/5

The plot centers on a missing persons mystery involving physical injury, blood, and the aftermath of a traumatic, potentially violent event on a mountain.

Profanity

3/5

The dialogue includes moderate usage of swear words typical for a contemporary young adult thriller, such as 'f*ck' (frequently used in moments of high stress), 'sh*t' (regularly used in casual conversation), and 'b*tch'.

Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking

3/5

Teenage alcohol consumption is a central element of the weekend getaway plot, and there are references to party culture that serve as a catalyst for the story's events.

Frightening Scenes

3/5

The book maintains a constant sense of psychological tension and dread as the protagonist struggles with memory loss and the fear that her friends may have been harmed.

Key Insights

Quick summary and important considerations

A suspenseful mystery about a girl trying to piece together a dangerous weekend she can't remember.

Content Warnings

Physical assault
Trauma
Missing persons

Detailed Analysis

In-depth insights for parents and educators

What Parents Need to Know

The story centers on a young woman waking up alone and injured with amnesia after a trip with friends. Expect intense psychological suspense, themes of friendship betrayal, and uncertainty regarding the safety of peers.

What Kids Can Learn

The value of memory, the complexity of peer relationships, and the consequences of hidden secrets.

Key Topics Discussed

Memory loss
Friendship dynamics
Personal safety

Why Parents Might Like It

It provides a fast-paced, engaging mystery that keeps readers guessing until the end.

Positives & learning

Positive messages

2/5

Focuses on the importance of self-discovery and the necessity of confronting difficult truths even when they are painful.

Role models

1/5

Characters are complex and fallible, often keeping secrets that complicate interpersonal trust rather than modeling healthy communication.

Representation

0/5

No diverse representation indicated in available information.

Learning

1/5

Engages critical thinking and deductive reasoning skills through a mystery-based narrative structure.

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