“A smart, sensitive, and gripping story about the courage it takes to do what’s right.” —Deb Caletti, National Book Award finalist
Critically acclaimed memoirist Aaron Hartzler, author of Rapture Practice, takes an unflinching look at what happens to a small town when some of its residents commit a terrible crime.
The party at John Doone's last Saturday night is a bit of a blur. Kate Weston can piece together most of the details: Stacey Stallard handing her shots, Ben Cody taking her keys and getting her home early... But when a picture of Stacey passed out over Deacon Mills's shoulder appears online the next morning, Kate suspects she doesn't have all the details.
When Stacey levels charges against four of Kate's classmates, the whole town erupts into controversy. Facts that can't be ignored begin to surface, and every answer Kate finds leads back to the same questions: Who witnessed what happened to Stacey? And what responsibility do they have to speak up about what they saw?
This honest, authentic debut novel—inspired by the events in the Steubenville rape case—will resonate with readers who've ever walked that razor-thin line between guilt and innocence that so often gets blurred, one text at a time.
Every month feels like the best month ever for YA releases, but this time I really, seriously mean it: the sheer saturation of must-reads about to hit shelves is nigh overwhelming. Turn off your phone and climb into your fully-stocked blanket fort. It’s time to read.
A quote of undetermined provenance, often attributed to Dante (I got it from an episode of Family Ties myself), reads, “The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who, in time of moral crisis, preserve their neutrality.” In simpler terms, when it comes to important issues, figure out where you stand (hint: It shouldn’t […]
September’s embarrassment of bookshelf riches continues this week with strange fantasy, dark sci-fi, horror set in a hungry cornfield, and a topical tale about complicity and guilt. Here are 13 books worth clearing your DVR for right now:
Junior high is no joke, but high school’s an entirely different animal. For teens getting ready for what might be their first taste of lockers, late bells, and most of all a dizzying array of choices—of classes, of friends, of personas—here are 16 books exploring the obstacles you might face, debunking the myths you might get tripped […]