Beth Goobie

Mature readers book in that it contains language that may offend. Jujube is asked out by Brent. When she snubs him in the back seat of his car, the next day he spreads rumours around the school about how "easy" she is. Soon it gets out of hand and there is graffiti on her locker and in the toilets. Jujube and her best friend decide to do something to stop it by filming it all and creating a powerful presentation in front of the school. Slightly dated because there is no mention of phones anywhere in the text, but still an important story about standing up for yourself.… (mere)

I could not put this book down. It is not an easy subject matter. It is definitely not an easy book to read. I do think it is an important one. It is one I would tell friends to read with their teenagers and talk about it. It is one that I would tell those moms and dads listen carefully and with an open, no judgment mind when they talk to their teenager. Nothing will be easy about that. The act and what happened after will make you uncomfortable. Listening to your child may make you, and them, uncomfortable. That’s okay because that is how you know growth and change are not only possible but happening. Read this book. Talk about it. Pass it on.… (mere)

Maddy is gang raped after a play in March and her life spirals downward. When she has to be in class with two of the boys who were there, she almost cannot cope. She is threatened so she won't tell ans in fear most of the time. A class story in English, where everyone writes a chapter even turns into a form of bullying for Maddy, as it tells the story of Farang, the pain eater. But she finds the strength through her art to finally get help.

Things I liked--Maddy's parents weren't clueless idiots; they noticed that their daughter wasn't the same girl she'd been. After a while in class Maddy makes a friend who sticks up for her a bit, or at least covers for her.

Things I didn't like--Maddy's parents didn't insist on getting her help, I fell like they let her parent herself. It worked out, but for many it wouldn't. The English teacher's sometimes obliviousness to her students behavior in the classroom.

I wish we could give half stars, because I'd give this one 3.5.… (mere)