Book Review: What We Saw

What does it mean when we use the word, "consent"? This book deeply touches on this issue--disclaimer, this book is probably not appropriate for anyone under 15...maybe not even 15 year olds, but this book is absolutely incredible and wonderfully written.

What We Saw

by Aaron Hartzler

Kate had a blast at the party over the weekend--such a blast, she got so drunk and had to be taken home early by her crush. But Kate never saw what happened at the party after she left.

So when the following week, when one of Kate's classmates (the stereotypical "white trash" girl) accuses multiple boys from the basketball team of raping her, one right after the other, while she was passed out drunk at the party, Kate starts to rethink her opinions of her crush, Ben Cody, and his teammates.

This is an incredible story, taken from real life events, though unfortunately in this day and age, definitely happens more often than people will talk about.  This is a VERY tough book to read, and I really only suggest it to teens and adults with a very high maturity level.  This book is very graphic, as it must be to address a real life issue that takes place so often.

Rape is, and has always been, something that people aren't sure about--did it really happen? Is it the girl's fault? etc., etc.  But this book explores the idea of "consent" and the stereotypes all people have about victims--no matter what a person looks like or acts like does not negate their feelings, their well-being, and their own sexual choices.

This is another book I definitely cried, because I know this stuff happens--and I know it happens in high school! How is this even possible? How are we failing our children so badly that this can happen so often in our culture?

Please pick this book up, read with caution, and start to think about consequences.