Wednesday, March 13, 2024

What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler - HIGH

What We Saw
by Aaron Hartzler
, 336 pages. HarperTeen, 2015. $11 

Language: R (79 swears 5 'f'); Mature Content: R (sexual assault) Violence: R (rape) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

17yo Kate and Ben have been friends since elementary school and now she wants more than that. They began dating and everything was going well until accusations of assault started happening to Ben’s teammates. Many people want to hide the evidence and pretend nothing happened but Kate can’t get the wrongdoing out of her head. Secrets come out after a video was shared. The aftermath will drastically change lives and the community of Coral Sands, Iowa.

I’m frustrated with the situation the community is dealing with. I’m also frustrated with some of the main character’s actions. The author represents entitlement and community politics well. The ethnicity is predominantly white, with an African American deputy mentioned. 

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian

No comments: