Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Who would like this book? Teen or adults who are interested in reading and discussing rape and its psychological effects.
Why? A party during the summer before high school ends in tragedy for Melinda when she is raped and then calls the police. This response seems reasonable except that she cannot talk about the rape, so the students ruthlessly blame her for ruining the party and shun her throughout the school year. She withdraws inhto silence and is beset by trouble at every turn. The administration and teachers of her school are, for the most part, despicable, and she has no one to confide in and no resources to deal with her pain and guilt. Her story could be good as a discussion starter for the issue of rape.
The details: 197 p. 1999.