Some Boys

Gr 9 Up—If you saw Grace Collier walking down your high school hallway you'd likely step out of her way. With her "ass-kicking" studded boots and leather wristlets people think of Grace as a girl who can take care of herself. Which is why no one believes her when she claims Lacross star and ultra-popular man on campus, Zac, raped her at a party. Some Boys starts roughly one month after Grace is assaulted, and is told through her perspective and that of Ian, Zac's best friend. When Grace and Ian are thrown together to complete a Breakfast Club—style spring break detention, the two are both forced to relive the events of the party. What starts out as mutual hatred quickly turns to admiration, respect, and a touch of romance. Blount hits home with this novel, depicting rape culture without apology. Teens will find themselves torn between Grace's interpretation of the event and Ian's struggle to accept that his close friend and confidant may have actually attacked the girl he and his friends have spent the last month calling a slut. Discussion questions at the back of the novel make it a great book-club choice for libraries willing to tackle the tough topics. A great addition to most YA collections.—Jennifer Furuyama, Pendleton Public Library, OR