Want to Go Private – Sarah Littman

Publisher:  Scholastic

Pages:  336

Source:  Review Copy from author

Genre:  Young Adult, Realistic Fiction

Warning:  Due to the nature of the subject matter I would suggest to parents that they read the book and decide if you want to allow your child to read this.  Either way, this is a conversation you need to have with your teen.

First of all let me say that I am aware that many people don’t believe anyone under the age of 14 should read this book.  I happen to disagree.  I teach 6^th grade middle school.  Let me tell you.  I can see what most of my students are posting on Facebook if I wanted because they have no security set up and they chat with anyone.  I hear their conversations and know that at this age many of them are dating with their parent’s permission.  May of them are already sexually active.  We have talked on several occasions about online safety.  It is scary to realize so many of them don’t think there is anything wrong with talking to someone online that they don’t know.  They see no harm in it.  Will I put this book on my shelf for 6^th graders?  You bet I will.

Abby and Faith have been best friends for a long time.  When they reach high school, Faith moves on making friends quickly while Abby feels she is being left in the dust.  Things are not any better at home.  She’s constantly fighting with her sister and her parents just don’t seem to listen or care. That is how Abby feels about everyone around her.  She has gotten so low she feels everyone is ignoring her.   That is until she meets Luke in a chat room.  He understands her and listens to her.  Before she knows it she finds herself falling for him.  When things escalate at home she turns to Luke.  He suggests they run away together.  Then Abby goes missing.  Things didn’t turn out the way she thought they would and she is abused.  This story takes a look at how things got to this point and then they look at how her friends react to it.  This is a book that should be on every shelf.  It is a definite must read.  It is a hard read.  This topic is not a feel good topic.  The land this book takes kids to is one they need to learn about no matter how hard.  Trust me, they all think this kind of thing would never happen to them.  I want to make sure I do everything in my power to make sure it never does happen to them.