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dannidrew's review
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
natalyamarie_'s review
3.0
⭐2.5
the overall message of the book was good but i didn't like the ending
the overall message of the book was good but i didn't like the ending
nahhreally3's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
whytes2010's review
5.0
A perfect read for middle schoolers. Covers sooo many topics that kids encounter in that pre-teen space.
libwinnie's review
3.0
I read about 1/3 of this, trying to figure out what I thought about it. This book felt like "an important issue" book. Yes, the issue is important, but I'm just not sure that it holds up as a great book. I like the way the author portrayed all of the emotional nuances of a girl in Mila's situation and the fear and confusion of figuring out those boundaries and standing up for them. The writing is fine, but nothing exceptional.
ericacoonelly's review
5.0
In terms of books about teaching consent to middle schoolers through a lens that they can understand, this book hits all the marks. From the way it feels to not be able to put a name to what doesn't feel right, or maybe you're just imagining it - the pain and discomfort of growing up, growing into a new body, changing relationships - this book is a cornerstone of what it's like to be in 7th grade. A must have for middle school collections!
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I decided to start reading this book before bed a few nights ago, and the next thing I knew it was midnight and I was finished. And I had shed tears. I was not expecting to have this reaction to this book. In fact, honestly, at the very beginning of the book I was feeling a tad bit skeptical. I was thinking, “Wait, is this going to be a book about a boy who squeezed a girl’s shoulder without asking?” But that’s sort of the beauty of the book. It starts off almost completely innocently—with Mila feeling a little bit uncomfortable in a relatively benign situation. The sort of situation that you could reasonably see people brushing off, including Mila herself. But then things start to spiral. The little shoulder squeeze turns into an unwanted hug, which turns into brushing up against her, and then the boys start making comments, and soon Mila realizes that many of the boys are in on some kind of game they think is funny—it’s not funny to her.
Dee does a fantastic job of showing a situation where things get out of hand without ever truly crossing into outright sexual territory(which is realistic in a middle school setting). She shows Mila’s confusion over the situation, wondering if she could be making something out of nothing, her fears about talking to someone about it, and the backlash she gets when she does speak out. All of this rang true, and it’s important for a MG audience to see. Even the fact that the boys didn’t seem to think they’d done anything truly wrong until they got in trouble feels realistic. I highly recommend this exploration of consent to MG readers and adults alike! This book will stimulate the types of conversations we need to be having.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
I decided to start reading this book before bed a few nights ago, and the next thing I knew it was midnight and I was finished. And I had shed tears. I was not expecting to have this reaction to this book. In fact, honestly, at the very beginning of the book I was feeling a tad bit skeptical. I was thinking, “Wait, is this going to be a book about a boy who squeezed a girl’s shoulder without asking?” But that’s sort of the beauty of the book. It starts off almost completely innocently—with Mila feeling a little bit uncomfortable in a relatively benign situation. The sort of situation that you could reasonably see people brushing off, including Mila herself. But then things start to spiral. The little shoulder squeeze turns into an unwanted hug, which turns into brushing up against her, and then the boys start making comments, and soon Mila realizes that many of the boys are in on some kind of game they think is funny—it’s not funny to her.
Dee does a fantastic job of showing a situation where things get out of hand without ever truly crossing into outright sexual territory(which is realistic in a middle school setting). She shows Mila’s confusion over the situation, wondering if she could be making something out of nothing, her fears about talking to someone about it, and the backlash she gets when she does speak out. All of this rang true, and it’s important for a MG audience to see. Even the fact that the boys didn’t seem to think they’d done anything truly wrong until they got in trouble feels realistic. I highly recommend this exploration of consent to MG readers and adults alike! This book will stimulate the types of conversations we need to be having.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
cleaoverstreet's review
5.0
I am so glad Barbara Dee wrote this book. Sexual harassment is something girls even at Mila's age experience and we do not talk about it. This is a great book to present to middle grade aged boys and girls in order to start a conversation on what sexual harassment is, what it can look like, and what to do if we personally experience it or witness it happening to others.
mollysticks's review
5.0
Wow, what a ride and an emotional read. So many important concepts shown here, and so many good conversations that are had. I liked the recognition of the failures of those that are meant to protect, and then the reconciliation too. Girls are not boys toys or games.