zoepagereader's review
1.0
A started off really liking this book. But then as I got closer to the end, Callum, the boy who was SEXUALLY HARASSING Mila, started to develop a crush on her. And she clearly like him back. If this book went on for a few more chapters, they would have been kissing. This book strayed really far from the original message.
suzannedix's review
3.0
This is a very needed conversation in middle school literature: the topic of consent. The story was difficult to listen to because it is all too real and too prevalent. I was challenged by two different messages in the novel. The first was that Mila didn't want to tell any adult about what was happening to her despite constant suggestions by her friends. The second was that once she did finally confide to an adult, the situation magically just stopped. A quick ending to a large problem was disappointing but I really wish more time was spent on the power of speaking out, being brave and demanding change.
Overall, a book I will gladly recommend. Grades 6 and up.
Overall, a book I will gladly recommend. Grades 6 and up.
lri_reads's review against another edition
Reminded me too much of my own experience with harassment
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
lauriehnatiuk's review
5.0
There is a reason for the buzz about this book. It is because Barbara Dee has told the #metoo story for middle grade. This book speaks for itself in so many ways that you will need multiple copies because this book will resonate with this age group and constantly be in the hands of young readers and not on a shelf. Whether it is someone experiencing sexual harassment, the abuser(s), a bystander, a teacher or a parent this is a story that is happening and needs to be out in the open and discussed so that it occurs no more.
Mila is a young girl who lives with her mom, younger sister Hadley and dachshund Dehlia. She loves playing the trumpet, being a part of her group of friends, Zara, Omi and Max and middle school until the comments, the bumping and the unwanted hugging begin at school with a group of boys. Mila is confused and unsure of what is going on asking herself questions and self doubting what is happening and how she is feeling. Her female friends say it means nothing and the boys are just having some fun. Some female friends are upset about the attention Mila “claims” to be getting. All the people in power are male - does she really want to talk to them about this - when she has no proof?
Ms. Dee gets this topic right on so many levels. The self doubting - the unintentioned but still callous response by other girls, the boys will be boys mentality, and adults around but not tuned in to the true picture. Short chapters and a page turner, this is a MUST read for middle years, to finally give a voice to sadly what is common and to open discussions about consent in hopes that no one has Mila’s experience.
Mila is a young girl who lives with her mom, younger sister Hadley and dachshund Dehlia. She loves playing the trumpet, being a part of her group of friends, Zara, Omi and Max and middle school until the comments, the bumping and the unwanted hugging begin at school with a group of boys. Mila is confused and unsure of what is going on asking herself questions and self doubting what is happening and how she is feeling. Her female friends say it means nothing and the boys are just having some fun. Some female friends are upset about the attention Mila “claims” to be getting. All the people in power are male - does she really want to talk to them about this - when she has no proof?
Ms. Dee gets this topic right on so many levels. The self doubting - the unintentioned but still callous response by other girls, the boys will be boys mentality, and adults around but not tuned in to the true picture. Short chapters and a page turner, this is a MUST read for middle years, to finally give a voice to sadly what is common and to open discussions about consent in hopes that no one has Mila’s experience.
bluenicorn's review
4.0
One of those topics that's hard to put into words but is really important for kids to know about. When I was a kid, I thought I understood what bullying and sexual assault were, but would never have known what to call unwanted touching or sexually-based bullying. It is distressing, but feels less serious than those things, so you dismiss it- you don't want to be "too sensitive" or "overreacting." Gosh, gaslighting starts really early, I just realized. I felt like the book may have gone on a little long, but it was still worth reading. Definitely appropriate for a middle schooler.
nmorales's review
4.0
Honestly, this probably would’ve been five stars. I just didn’t really like the ending. I think it’s unreasonable to write that she would be friends with them after how much stress they clearly put her through in the book.
madelinefmcguire's review
3.0
It starts with an unwanted hug, and then a weird obsession over a green sweater Mila is wearing. And then it's comments that make Mila uncomfortable, when she tells her friends about the unwanted attention they just assume that the boys like like her. So Mila tries to brush it off but it keeps happening, weird comments unwanted touches. Mila finds confidence in taking Karate but her friends still don't understand why she's uncomfortable with the boys. That's just what boys do when they like you right?
This entire book made me want to hide under a blanket away from the world. It was such an accurate deception of sexual assault especially at the middle school age. I also really love the way it was resolved in the end, because these kids are in middle school and they can change. This is an important book, and it's something I'd give to any middle grade or older reader. But I think it'd be good for fans of realistic fiction and those who like books about social issues and change.
This entire book made me want to hide under a blanket away from the world. It was such an accurate deception of sexual assault especially at the middle school age. I also really love the way it was resolved in the end, because these kids are in middle school and they can change. This is an important book, and it's something I'd give to any middle grade or older reader. But I think it'd be good for fans of realistic fiction and those who like books about social issues and change.
carabee's review
5.0
I desperately wish I had been given this book in middle school. It was hard for me to read at times because I could remember feeling this way, fighting these incidents of harassment, and not having a word for it. Lucky for me, I had a mom who did have the words and who made the school speak them too. Being a kid in your heart and a young woman on the outside is a lonely and sometimes scary space to live in, especially when you’re ahead of your peers and not many have faced sexual harassment yet. This is an incredible book, and I hope it gets all the publicity and promotion it deserves. My only quibble is that Max’s experience is framed as a bit less serious than it is, as his experience doesn’t really qualify as just “regular” bullying either. But that aside, MAYBE HE JUST LIKES YOU is an excellent novel that should to be read by parents, school staff, and all middle graders regardless of gender.
teacher2library's review
5.0
It starts when seventh-grader Mila gets an unwanted hug; next come the comments and sly smiles. Her friends wonder why she can't just take a joke, but Mila doesn't find any of this funny. An important story for all kids, parents and teachers.
I don't have words for how this book made me feel and how masterfully it addresses sexual harassment in a totally authentic, age-appropriate way. I hope Mila's story will give children courage and empower caregivers to have important conversations with their kids.
I don't have words for how this book made me feel and how masterfully it addresses sexual harassment in a totally authentic, age-appropriate way. I hope Mila's story will give children courage and empower caregivers to have important conversations with their kids.