Pitched as Speak for boys, this is a raw and moving story about abusive teen relationships, masculinity, sexual agency, and identity.
Owen Turner is a boy of too many words. For years, they all stayed inside his head and he barely spoke—until he met Lily. Lily, the girl who gave him his voice, helped him come out as bi, and settle into his ASD diagnosis. But everything unravels when someone reports Owen’s biggest secret to the school: that he was sexually assaulted at a class event.
As officials begin interviewing students to get to the bottom of things, rumors about an assault flood the school hallways. No one knows it happened to Owen, and he’s afraid of what will happen if his name gets out.He’s afraid that his classmates will call him a word he can’t stand—“victim.”He’s afraid his father, a tough-as-nails military vet, will resort to extreme methods to hunt down the name of who did it.And he’s afraid that when Lily finds out, she’ll take their relationship to a dark, dangerous place to keep Owen quiet.
Then, one day, Owen’s fears all come true. And it’ll take everything he’s got to escape the explosion intact.
Topics First love. Friendship. Sexual abuse. Secrecy. LGBTQ.
Trim Size 8 3/10" x 5 1/2"
JLG Span Winter
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2021-10-04
JLG Release Date Jan 2022
Minimum grade 11
Maximum grade 12
Reading level High
Format Print
Mature Young Adult Plus (Grades 11 & Up)
Mature Young Adult Plus
Mature Young Adult Plus (Grades 11 & Up)
For Grades 11 & Up
Filled with stimulating nonfiction and can't-put-it-down fiction, this category is perfect for bridging the gap between young adult and adult reading. Take note: these 14 selections often contain mature situations and language that could be considered controversial.