First Time

by Meg Tilly

Overview

Haley and Lynn are best friends. When Lynn meets Chad, a player several years older, Haley feels left out. She tries to be happy for her friend, but when her mother's new boyfriend starts making unwanted advances, Haley finds she has no one to tell. Not wanting to upset her mother's happiness and finding that Lynn is drifting away, Haley has to face her tormentor alone and face up to some very hard truths.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781554696178
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	10/01/2008
Series:	Orca Soundings Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Meg Tilly is the author of two adult novels, Singing Songs (A Barnes&Noble Discover Great New Writers selection, 1994) and Gemma, both published with Syren Book Company. Her first YA novel, Porcupine, was released by Tundra in Sept 2007 and was shortlisted for a BC Book Prize, The Canadian Libraries Association Best Children’s Book 2008, and Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Award 2008. It also was an Ontario Library Top Ten Best Bets 2008. First Time is her first book published with Orca. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with her family.

Read an Excerpt

"Get off!" I push at him hard, with both hands. The next thing I know, he's pinned my hands over my head. I'm stunned how fast this guy can move. "It seems that we've fallen," he says, like he's talking about the color of his necktie.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 8 Up

All Haley would like to do is enjoy her junior year of high school with her friend Lynn, who has just bought her first car. However, Lynn's new boyfriend, Chad, ends up taking Haley's place in Lynn's life and passenger seat. With Haley trapped at home, she finds it difficult to avoid her mom's lecherous boyfriend, Larry. One evening, he attacks Haley, and she barely escapes being raped. Her solution is to lock her doors, prompting her mom to think that she is smoking marijuana. To add to Haley's confusion, Lynn is planning to have sex for the first time and needs Haley's help to buy condoms. With her life turned upside down, the teen finds an unexpected ally in Chad's friend Mike. When Haley's mom confronts her about buying condoms, Haley also tells her about Larry's attack. Realistic dialogue and situations characterize this novel. Struggling readers will appreciate the quick pacing and the low reading/high interest level. However, multiple plotlines and an abrupt, unresolved ending are confusing and unsatisfying.-H. H. Henderson, Heritage Middle School, Deltona, FL

School Library Journal

"Tilly accomplishes her goal of getting into a teenager's head in 100 short pages, and the novel is riveting."

Tri State Young Adult Book Review Committee

"The lack of a sweetly tied up ending is a point in this title's favor, allowing the reader to come up with their own ideas... A possible high/low choice for high school age female readers."

NMRLS Youth Services Book Review Group

"A lightning-quick read that...will likely provoke some discussion among young people about how to handle difficult situations."

Quill & Quire

"First Time illustrates a dangerous situation in which Haley learns to regret ignoring her instincts...Recommended."

CM Magazine

"Captures the emotions and feelings of sixteen year old girls perfectly...a very good addition to the young adult genre."

Sukee's Book Bites

"Teens will find themselves engrossed in this tale of sexual abuse. Self-examination is just one of the outcomes for those who read this tale. Recommended.'

Library Media Connection

"Mature readers will sympathize with Haley's difficult situation."

The Horn Book Guide

"Tilly has written in an immediate, sometimes raw manner."

Times Colonist

"Truly excellent tale...the voice and persona of Haley capture what is so worth cherishing in an adolescent."

Resource Links

"A fast-paced, intense novel that is sure to keep you guessing and turning its pages...definitely worth a read."

TeensReadToo.com

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Tucson Unified School District

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The Bookmark (BCTLA)