This was a low-key, even elegant treatment of what can be a very messy topic. Although the protagonist was clearly raped and brutally beaten, the attack itself is not described at all, so I think the book would be suitable for young teens and even some mature tweens in spite of its subject. It was easy to sympathize with Tracey and her trauma and slow psychological recovery from the event was realistic, as were the actions of the people around her.

This would be a good companion book to the oft-recommended Laurie Halse Anderson novel Speak. ( )

I thought this was a really good book... sort of like Speak, but with younger characters, which really makes it more difficult to read. i thought Shaw did a great job getting into the characters and portraying the fear and loneliness. I loved the father, and the two friends were also pretty realistic. Good book overall. ( )

Fairly intense, but in an age-appropriate way. ( )

Tracy is thirteen years old. On the last day of school, she is grabbed by the older brother of one of her classmates. He rapes and beats her, leaving her for dead. She manages to recover, but though he is in jail, she is afraid to leave the house. With the help of her father, her understanding best friend, and a newfound joy for playing the piano, she starts to heal. ( )