Hazel Hill has her eyes on the prize: The annual school speech contest. She is definitely not going to mispronounce "hyperbole" like she did last year. Then she finds out that girls in her school are being harassed by Tyler Harris, the boy who always gets the girl and can seemingly do no wrong, even in the eyes of the school faculty. When she brings her concerns to the principal, it is Hazel and her friends that are punished. Filled with righteous anger, Hazel concocts a plan to take Tyler down and expose him for the creep that he is. This is an important book. It's a book that highlights victim-shaming and sexual harassment in a way that is completely accessible to ages ten and up. Hazel is a fantastic protagonist who will not back down no matter what is thrown in her way. The attitude of the adults who are paid to protect children and blame the kids getting harassed will have you white-knuckled as you turn the pages. I seriously feel that this book should be read by everyone as it will bring to light the impossible position young victims of online harassment often find themselves: speak up and you'll be blamed for causing trouble or be called a liar. Don't speak up and it empowers the abuser. There is some very damning information contained in this amazing book about the mental and physical impact this kind of harassment can have on children that carries on well into their adult years. Yet this novel dives into it head-first and is written so brilliantly you'll be cheering Hazel on while frothing at the mouth with rage at how she and her friends are treated. I loved it, get it when it comes out in Oct!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
Follow These Guys: 100 Scope Notes No Flying No Tights Pretty Books Reading Rants! Sophisticated Dorkiness Teen Librarian |