Scan barcode
kgj4k4's review
4.0
I really liked Bax and Jules. And Aileen. and Javi. The backdrop may not be the most relatable to most teens (an expensive prep school), but the content, and the characters relationships with one another scream teenagers. They form deep relationships quickly. They make rash decisions. They're easily influenced by their peers. Definitely doesn't make me miss being a teenager. Ha.
I love that they're taking on the idea of consent and keeping quiet. Too many times teens are afraid to share some serious stuff, and unfortunately adults are too quick sometimes to gloss over things attributing it to teen angst or drama when in fact it's really serious.
I love that they're taking on the idea of consent and keeping quiet. Too many times teens are afraid to share some serious stuff, and unfortunately adults are too quick sometimes to gloss over things attributing it to teen angst or drama when in fact it's really serious.
svrakiss's review
5.0
This book is so very important - so important that I stayed up until 2 am during finals week to finish reading it.
The reason this book IS so important is because it attacks the rape culture that is in society and institutions that we sometimes refuse to believe and acknowledge, and it actually written by someone whose demographic (cis white male) is the most prevalent perpetrator of these beliefs.
For a specific example as to why this is important? Let's focus on the institutional response. Most don't even need to read this to assume that it was subpar. For anyone who has doubts about this, let me tell you a story. About my own university.
So there was this girl named Brenda*, right? And a fellow student named David. David consistently harassed Brenda to the point of her blocking him on Facebook. But he didn't stop then, and actually began to harass her mother as well - asking about Brenda's father and the divorce her mother just experienced. These two are not the only victims - multiple other women on campus reached out after this occurred to share their similar experiences.
Now the natural response is: you have to report it. So she did. But before she reported it, the incidents escalated. David would corner her and force his way into her dorm room when she was only in a towel.
So after this, she reported it to her RA. The Title IX policy on this campus requires that any faculty member who receives any details regarding an event of sexual assault/harassment has to report it. Then Title IX is required to follow up. In this case, they did not.
Brenda was going to leave this behind, until David began to run for student body president. So she went public. Finally, it was ensured that the Title IX office has heard about this incident. She then filed a grievance with the Elections Committee through Student Government. David had broken five election codes, which one would think would prevent him from running. It did not, and her complaints were once again sent back to the Title IX office. She was then told it didn't matter what he did, because it was before he ran for president. So my university let a known perpetrator of sexual assault become the lead student representative.
Brenda kept pushing the investigation forward. The Title IX office did not give her any information or updates for over 4 months. Even the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights reached out to the university because of the failure to act promptly and respond.
So the tl;dr? Brenda was assaulted by David. She reported it in 2016. When David ran for student body president he got it, because the Title IX investigation DID NOT EXIST when he ran for office in 2017. Instead of promptly responding, as an institution should, it decided to favor its shining students and diversity over the traumatic experiences of one of their students. They were entirely willing to shove all of that under the rug and move forward.
This is entirely unconscionable. But almost no one at this university would have even known about it if it was as strict of an environment as in the book. We got lucky this time. But this cannot happen again. THIS is why this book matters. This is why this book is absolutely necessary. Because unfortunately, I know of more stories like this. I know of a university that accepted a transfer student while he had an ongoing Title IX investigation, not caring about this active investigation or the fact that it grinned it to a halt.
This book was amazing in being able to touch on HOW this can happen. It goes deep into the way we act and the way we think when it's not just sexual assault or rape, but merely women standing up for themselves. This book is a major fuck you to tradition, and that is what is needed now.
And if any of you want to read further for the case I discussed in length, here is the link: http://gmufourthestate.com/2018/04/29/how-a-title-ix-report-in-student-government-dragged-on-for-over-a-year/#sthash.8SGfTHXs.dpbs.
*name changed to hide identity of the student
The reason this book IS so important is because it attacks the rape culture that is in society and institutions that we sometimes refuse to believe and acknowledge, and it actually written by someone whose demographic (cis white male) is the most prevalent perpetrator of these beliefs.
For a specific example as to why this is important? Let's focus on the institutional response. Most don't even need to read this to assume that it was subpar. For anyone who has doubts about this, let me tell you a story. About my own university.
So there was this girl named Brenda*, right? And a fellow student named David. David consistently harassed Brenda to the point of her blocking him on Facebook. But he didn't stop then, and actually began to harass her mother as well - asking about Brenda's father and the divorce her mother just experienced. These two are not the only victims - multiple other women on campus reached out after this occurred to share their similar experiences.
Now the natural response is: you have to report it. So she did. But before she reported it, the incidents escalated. David would corner her and force his way into her dorm room when she was only in a towel.
So after this, she reported it to her RA. The Title IX policy on this campus requires that any faculty member who receives any details regarding an event of sexual assault/harassment has to report it. Then Title IX is required to follow up. In this case, they did not.
Brenda was going to leave this behind, until David began to run for student body president. So she went public. Finally, it was ensured that the Title IX office has heard about this incident. She then filed a grievance with the Elections Committee through Student Government. David had broken five election codes, which one would think would prevent him from running. It did not, and her complaints were once again sent back to the Title IX office. She was then told it didn't matter what he did, because it was before he ran for president. So my university let a known perpetrator of sexual assault become the lead student representative.
Brenda kept pushing the investigation forward. The Title IX office did not give her any information or updates for over 4 months. Even the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights reached out to the university because of the failure to act promptly and respond.
So the tl;dr? Brenda was assaulted by David. She reported it in 2016. When David ran for student body president he got it, because the Title IX investigation DID NOT EXIST when he ran for office in 2017. Instead of promptly responding, as an institution should, it decided to favor its shining students and diversity over the traumatic experiences of one of their students. They were entirely willing to shove all of that under the rug and move forward.
This is entirely unconscionable. But almost no one at this university would have even known about it if it was as strict of an environment as in the book. We got lucky this time. But this cannot happen again. THIS is why this book matters. This is why this book is absolutely necessary. Because unfortunately, I know of more stories like this. I know of a university that accepted a transfer student while he had an ongoing Title IX investigation, not caring about this active investigation or the fact that it grinned it to a halt.
This book was amazing in being able to touch on HOW this can happen. It goes deep into the way we act and the way we think when it's not just sexual assault or rape, but merely women standing up for themselves. This book is a major fuck you to tradition, and that is what is needed now.
And if any of you want to read further for the case I discussed in length, here is the link: http://gmufourthestate.com/2018/04/29/how-a-title-ix-report-in-student-government-dragged-on-for-over-a-year/#sthash.8SGfTHXs.dpbs.
*name changed to hide identity of the student
katelynrushton's review against another edition
4.0
Did not have high expectations, but was pleasantly surprised. I have felt exactly as Jules felt before. Would recommend.
jesskerry9's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
annasawyer's review
2.0
2.5
This was enjoyable, but had to give it a low rating because of how it handled all the issues. Probably due to the fact that it is a man writing about female inequality, which can be done, but in this case it wasn't done super well. At one point a character made ironic remark about how f'd up it was that people only started listening to women's issues when they were backed by a man. That was what was trying to be accomplished here, but it didnt do much.
This was enjoyable, but had to give it a low rating because of how it handled all the issues. Probably due to the fact that it is a man writing about female inequality, which can be done, but in this case it wasn't done super well. At one point a character made ironic remark about how f'd up it was that people only started listening to women's issues when they were backed by a man. That was what was trying to be accomplished here, but it didnt do much.
tucker68511's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, and Sexual assault
bibliosteph's review
4.0
It took a little for the train to get started, but when it did, it steamrolled ahead, not caring what was in it's way. Loved it.
jamiereadies's review
5.0
Gonna be honest, I was nervous about reading a story about sexual assault written by a man. What does that say?
Anyway, I thought this story tackled a lot of really big topics in an accessible and true way. Jules felt totally real to me, I have friends similar to her (but maybe dialed down a bit). And the addition of Bax, who is not only a large dude (which, surprisingly, I don’t see a lot) but is also fed up with sports was refreshing.
Be warned, this book is very heavy, but if you’re anything like me, the payoff is worth it.
Anyway, I thought this story tackled a lot of really big topics in an accessible and true way. Jules felt totally real to me, I have friends similar to her (but maybe dialed down a bit). And the addition of Bax, who is not only a large dude (which, surprisingly, I don’t see a lot) but is also fed up with sports was refreshing.
Be warned, this book is very heavy, but if you’re anything like me, the payoff is worth it.