“Nothing matters,” declares Pierre Anthon on his first day of eighth grade. With this mindset, he climbs up a plum tree and obstinately remains in it, declaring to the world how nothing matters and everyone eventually dies having done nothing.

So begins Janne Teller’s haunting novel, Nothing, which focuses on an eighth grade class who, as a group, attempt to discover the meaning of life.

Fueled by pride and determination to prove their own existence in the world, Anthon’s fellow classmates decide that by bringing him down from the tree, they will have created the meaning.

From that moment on, the class meets to discuss Anthon’s situation during every recess, contributing ideas about what action they should take.

Finally, after enduring the continual mockery from Anthon, the eighth grade students decide to create a pile of things that are important to them, though mostly stolen and somewhat morbid, in an old rundown sawmill. The actions of these young kids continually kept me surprised.

Though only eighth grade students, the characters are very contemplative and determined about finding the meaning of life. However, conflict with revenge becomes a major preoccupation. At first, the pile is only material items, but the value changes as students get angry over giving them up, one example of finding meaning in simple matters.

However, throughout the school year, Anthon’s comments create doubt among the students and they begin to question whether or not the pile they created will truly prove Anthon wrong. But, after much debate with each other, the children finally come to a conclusion about what life is a truly about — a surprisingly intellectual conclusion from the minds of adolescents.

Though centering around the students’ attempts to prove Anthon wrong, a significant theme noticeable throughout the entire novel was how doubt easily turns allies against each other. Because of this, the students never find the meaning of life until the end due to continuing conflict and agitation.

From the moment I picked up this novel, the idea of young students attempting to discover the reason for living intrigued me. Most authors don’t seem to use such young characters to answer this philosophical question. In fact, the book centered solely around the perspective of the children, never asking their parents for any advice.

Despite being an easy-read, Teller creates an eerie tone that provides a shock-value for readers based on the surprising events. Not only was I slightly repulsed by the actions of these eighth grade students, Teller’s diction intensified the meaning of each sentence.

Though it is only 250 pages long, this action-packed novel will encourage readers to question themselves about their meaning in life, while maintaining a young adult reading level. Nothing can be purchased at most local bookstores for about $17.

For more book reviews, visit the Jan. 20 article, Personal account refutes religious stereotypes.