Tag Archives: rape

The Leading Edge of Now

Posted on by

“Trigger Warnings”: sexual assault, alcoholism, drug abuse, foster care, and grief.

The Leading Edge of Now tells the sad story of a teenaged girl, Grace, who is grieving the death of her father, and going to live with her uncle, her only living relative, who finally has claimed her from foster care where she has spent the past two years. Thankful to be out of foster care, she is nonetheless nervous about returning to New Harbor. So many memories that remind her of all she has lost: her best friend, her boyfriend, and memories of what happened that night two years ago at her uncle’s house when she was passed out on Ambien. “Memories are like land mines that I step on everywhere I turn.“

The characters are well developed with detailed backstories. I enjoyed this novel in spite of the very heavy subject matter.

Learning to Breathe

Posted on by

*Trigger Warning for Sexual Assault*

A victim of rape, sixteen-year-old Indira struggles to conceal her pregnancy from her family, even though it was her cousin who assaulted her.

Indy has tried to do what her grandmother encouraged: to do well in school, to not let boys take advantage of her. So that she doesn’t end up like her mother, who was also sexually assaulted resulting in Indy’s birth.

Having been sent to live with relatives in Nassau, Indy feels that she cannot escape from  her mother’s past. And how long can she hide her pregnancy from her aunt?

Indy tries to find a place where she will be safe. And she struggles with pressure to have an abortion. She is conflicted.

This is difficult story to read because of the graphic description of rape and assault. But I recommend it to readers interested in the #MeToo movement. Also, those who enjoy realistic fiction such as American Street.

Girl Made of Stars

Posted on by

Girl Made of Stars is a hard-hitting critique of rape culture and focuses on the ways victims are silenced by the disbelief of others. Sister and brother twins, Mara and Owen, are very close and Mara thinks she knows Owen as well as she knows herself.  When Mara’s friend Hannah accuses Owen of rape, Mara cannot believe it. How could her brother be guilty of such a violent crime? And why would he do such a thing to Mara’s good friend? But why would Hannah tell a lie like this? Mara is conflicted: how can she support her brother? And Hannah?

Further complicating her life is that things are strained with Mara’s ex-girlfriend and best friend since childhood, Charlie. Charlie is bi, and has not come out to her family.  And then there a boy that Mara likes, Alex. As the story progresses Mara, Hannah, and Charlie navigate new terrain.  Mara must face a trauma from her own past and decide if Charlie fits in her future.

Girl Made of Stars presents a different take on a story about rape in that the point of view is not from that of the victim or that of the perpetrator; it’s from the point of view of those around them, the ones are caught in the middle.

The author provides a list of resources for victims of sexual assault, including a phone number for the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy realistic fiction,  stories of girl/women empowerment, friendships, brother-sister relationships, and courage.

No More Excuses: Dismantling Rape Culture

Posted on by

After the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse scandal became public in late 2017, the #MeToo movement went viral. Girls and women spoke up about the assaults so many have faced (the CDC reports that 1 in 5 women are raped during their lifetimes), and the sexual harassment that many more face daily. And it is not only females. Surveys report that as many as 1 in 33 boys and men have experienced sexual assault. Shockingly, only 3% of rapists ever serve time in jail. With the spotlight currently on sexual assault, it is timely that No More Excuses: Dismantling Rape Culture has been published (January, 2019). This text on rape culture explores gender norms, the intersection of race and gender, and how the transgender population is disproportionately affected by rape. The author, Amber Keyser also discusses restorative justice and how it can be used by all those affected in cases of sexual assault or harassment.

The book highlights some high profile cases, such as the “Stanford Swimmer” Brook Turner, and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. There are quotes from teens, politicians, activists, and feminists. The highly readable format includes photos with captions, inserts, extensive source notes, a glossary, further reading lists of both fiction and nonfiction, films, and hashtags. There is a section on current legislation such as Title IX and age-of-consent laws.

SHOUT by Laurie Halse Anderson

Posted on by

“The true story of a survivor who refused to be silenced.” This quote sits on the front cover of Anderson’s newest verse memoir titled: SHOUT. I had high hopes going into this book because of my love for her fist novel Speak. I must admit that it fell short for me. It was a quick read, but not all parts fit seamlessly together. At times I was bored, looking for more of her experience to be explicitly stated. Instead what was given was a chronicle of her family life from early adolescence through adulthood. She does draw clear connections between her works of fiction and her own life. Many of the poems surround her experiences as a guest speaker in schools. I think fans of her fiction may enjoy the connections provided throughout the verse, but others will be less impressed.

The following is an excerpt that struck me as one of the more poignant:

“diagnosis”

I knew that if I fell and scraped my knee
ejected headfirst through a windshield
chopped off a finger or lost a leg to a shark
I’d apply pressure to stop the bleeding
use towels, blankets, Goodwill sweaters
whatever it took to start clotting,
slow the fluid loss
I’d close my wounds with fishhooks and twine
or a stapler or a nail gun
welding torch to reconnect my spine
I’d knit skin grafts, if necessary.
After I pulled myself back together
I’d need a doctor cuz my dark corners
would be invaded
by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and more,
infections
vectors of disease, some lethal, some merely
debilitating, chronic cripplers.
I knew that. I paid attention in health.

But I had never seen a first aid kit for the spirit
or heard the word “trauma” to describe
the way I’d hide, slide through the days unseen
or scream into the pillows
at the bottom of my closet
door closed even though no one was home.
Rape wounds deeply, splits open
your core with shrapnel.
The stench of the injury attracts maggots
which hatch into clouds of doubt and self-loathing
the dirt you feel inside you nourishes
anxiety, depression, and shame
poisoning
your blood, festering
in your brain until you will do anything to stop
feeling the darkness rising within
anything
to stop feeling–

untreated pain
is a cancer of the soul
that can kill you

Image result for shout laurie halse anderson
By: Laurie Halse Anderson


What I Leave Behind by: Alison McGhee

Posted on by

Will deals with all of his emotions, troubles, and thinking by walking. Ever since his dad died 3 years ago, he’s been walking to try and rid of the past and make sense for what he’s feeling. Will has many people in his life that he cares about and who care for him in return. One friend, Playa, has been in his life since early elementary school. Although they are not in constant contact with each other, they still have a connection. When Will learns that Playa was raped at a party one night, he feels a sense of guilt – thinking he may have been able to stop it. After the incident he decides to show Playa his care and concern by bringing small gifts to her doorstep. In addition to trying to take care of Playa, he begins to spread small acts of kindness to others in his life. Although Will thinks this is caring for those in his life, it is also a great way to help him deal with the loss of his dad and the emotions that brings about.

The book is more of a novella than a full length novel. The text is written on every other page with Chinese characters on the facing pages. The text is written in small chunks throughout. It is a very fast read and would probably appeal to struggling readers. The book discusses the sensitive topics of suicide and rape, but does so in a way that is relatable and realistic.  The book is appropriate for grades 8-12.