Saturday, March 24, 2018

Fall of Innocence by Jenny Sanchez - OPTIONAL

Sanchez, Jenny Torres Fall of Innocence, 448 pages. Philomel (Penguin), JUNE 2018.  $19.  Language: R (65 swears, 25 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (rape mentioned); Violence: PG-13 (suicide)

When Emilia was a little girl she was attacked by Jeremy, an older mentally challenged boy at her school.  All these years she has struggled to keep it together, even after her father left.  With the help of her friend, now boyfriend, Ian, and her mother and brother, she has built a safe space.  Then comes the day that the police detective comes around again – someone else has confessed to the attack and knows details only the attacker could now.  Jeremy will be let out of the facility he has been living in and the real attacker is dying – he only has a short time to live.  Emilia’s life is shattered.  She’s trying to deal with these new revelations, putting on a brave face, but she is failing inside where it counts.  The birds that guarded her thoughts the first time around are back – this time their presence may not be able to stop the sinking.

My heart aches for Emilia because she never got the help that she really needed.  The book is both spooky and heartbreaking.  Older students who appreciate a bit of darkness and depth will appreciate the journey, even though the end will make them cry.

HS – OPTIONAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

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