Every month generally has some sort of theme or celebration tied to it. This month, we have our display shelving set up to celebrate Black History Month and our glass display case set up to acknowledge Teen Dating Violence Prevention Month.
This book is heart breaking and gut wrenching. It is the story of Melinda, who was among the most popular girls in her junior high. She's 15 now and getting ready to go to high school. The summer before school begins, she and her friends are invited to their first high school party. They are all super excited to be hanging out with the upperclassmen. Melinda is pulled aside by one of the most popular senior boys and they go somewhere private and start to make-out. Only he wants to take it too far and when Melinda says "no," he doesn't listen.
Melinda panics and calls the cops. And of course because that is what you're supposed to do in the event of a rape. There is a lot of alcohol at this party, however, so a lot of people get in trouble and, when the cops showed up Melinda was too freaked out to tell them what happened. Now everyone thinks Melinda is a tattle tale and they make it their mission to see her suffer.
Melinda doesn't tell anyone what happens and spends most of the book not speaking at all. Her grades drop, she loses weight, she stops washing her hair; basically she does everything she can to become invisible.
When Melinda's former best friend starts dating the rapist, she know something has to give. Namely, she's going to have to speak.
This book isn't a big thick one, but it packs a huge punch.
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