For parents seeking a story about resilience and recovery after severe trauma, this book explores a teen's journey to heal after a violent crime, finding support in unexpected friendships.
A parent might reach for this book when their older teen is navigating the aftermath of a traumatic event, especially one that has left them feeling isolated and emotionally numb. This novel tells the story of Grady, a sixteen year old boy who is violently assaulted and must find a way to live with the psychological scars. The book unflinchingly explores themes of post traumatic stress, the unique challenges faced by male survivors of sexual violence, and the critical role of persistent friendship in recovery. Due to its intense subject matter, this book is best suited for mature older teens (16 and up) and can be a powerful tool for opening conversations about trauma, healing, and how to support a friend in crisis.
Deals heavily with trauma, PTSD, depression, grief, and emotional pain throughout the book.
LanguageModerate
Contains some profanity appropriate for the characters' ages and intense situations.
Sensitive Topics
The book's central topic is male sexual assault and its aftermath. The approach is direct, secular, and psychological. The assault itself is not graphically detailed, but its emotional, physical, and psychological consequences (PTSD, nightmares, self-loathing) are described in unflinching detail. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, emphasizing that healing is a long, non-linear process rather than a complete cure.
Ideal Reader
A mature teen, 15 or older, who is grappling with trauma (their own or a friend's) and needs a realistic, non-sensationalized story about the slow path to healing. It is also for readers who appreciate deep, psychological character studies over plot-driven action. It is particularly resonant for anyone seeking to understand the often-silenced experience of male survivors.
Parent Prep
This book absolutely requires parental pre-reading and preparation. The content is intense and potentially triggering. Parents should be ready to have explicit and supportive conversations about sexual assault, consent, PTSD, and mental health. This is not a book to be handed over without context and an open door for discussion. A parent learns their teen has a friend who has withdrawn completely after a traumatic event. Or, a parent is concerned about their own teen's sudden isolation, anger, and emotional distance and is looking for a resource to gently broach the subject of getting help.
Age Experience
A younger teen (14-15) might focus more on the friendship story and the mystery of what happened to Grady. An older teen (16-18) will be better equipped to understand the profound psychological depth, the nuances of PTSD, the societal pressures on male victims, and the painful realism of the recovery process.
What Makes It Special
Its primary differentiator, especially for its time of publication, is its focus on a male protagonist as the survivor of sexual assault. The novel subverts gendered expectations of victimhood and explores the specific shame and silence that male survivors often face. It prioritizes psychological realism over plot, making it a powerful and introspective character study.
Read plot summary
Sixteen year old Grady West is a talented musician who is abducted, beaten, and raped by two men after a concert. The narrative follows Grady in the aftermath as he becomes a shell of his former self, consumed by trauma and unable to connect with his family or old friends. His parents transfer him to a new school, where two classmates, Todd and Janie, become fixated on breaking through his silent exterior. The story is a slow, painful, and ultimately hopeful journey of Grady's psychological recovery, spurred by the relentless and caring intrusion of new friendship.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Todd and Janie are very persistent in trying to befriend Grady, even when he repeatedly pushes them away. Do you think their actions were helpful or intrusive? Where is the line between supporting someone and violating their boundaries?
2
How do Grady's parents and his brother each react to his trauma? In what ways do they try to help, and in what ways do their actions or words cause him more pain?
3
The book focuses on a male survivor of sexual assault, a topic not often explored in media. How did Grady's experience challenge or confirm your ideas about trauma and who can be a victim?
4
Grady is a musician, but he stops playing the clarinet after the assault. What did the music represent to him, and what does it mean when he finally considers playing again near the end of the book?
