Library book: What We Saw by Aaron Hartzlert
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: 9/22/2015
Pages: 336
Genre: Teen/realistic fiction
Review: library book
Kate Weston can piece together most of the bash at John Doone’s house: shots with Stacey Stallard, Ben Cody taking her keys and getting her home early—the feeling that maybe he’s becoming more than just the guy she’s known since they were kids.
But when a picture of Stacey passed out over Deacon Mills’s shoulder appears online the next morning, Kate suspects she doesn’t have all the details. When Stacey levels charges against four of Kate’s classmates, the whole town erupts into controversy. Facts that can’t be ignored begin to surface, and every answer Kate finds leads back to the same question: Where was Ben when a terrible crime was committed?
This story—inspired by real events—from debut novelist Aaron Hartzler takes an unflinching look at silence as a form of complicity. It’s a book about the high stakes of speaking up, and the razor thin line between guilt and innocence that so often gets blurred, one hundred and forty characters at a time.
But when a picture of Stacey passed out over Deacon Mills’s shoulder appears online the next morning, Kate suspects she doesn’t have all the details. When Stacey levels charges against four of Kate’s classmates, the whole town erupts into controversy. Facts that can’t be ignored begin to surface, and every answer Kate finds leads back to the same question: Where was Ben when a terrible crime was committed?
This story—inspired by real events—from debut novelist Aaron Hartzler takes an unflinching look at silence as a form of complicity. It’s a book about the high stakes of speaking up, and the razor thin line between guilt and innocence that so often gets blurred, one hundred and forty characters at a time.
Trigger Warning: Rape.
I got a lot of different feelings with this book. I found myself wanting to smack the tar out of a few girls who kept saying well if she didn't dress this way, it would not have happened.
I didn't realize this book was based on an actual case, and my heart broke. It amazes me just how small towns put so much into their players of sports that they are willing to forget the victim who was the victim of the crime.
I loved this book, but I hated this book. What We Saw captured everything it needed regarding how people talk, act, believe, and even turn on one another. I loved how the teacher, Mr. Johnston, got down to his student's level and called someone out who thought a "girl being wasted means you can't help yourself." I loved that he did this!
What We Saw gives people the strength to do the right thing even when everyone else is against it. It makes you brave like our main character did. I loved how the author captured Katie and her feelings and how she struggled internally with what to do. Ultimately, she did what people should do, no matter if it hurt the ones they are close to.
This is a book that high schoolers should read. Especially since social media plays a big part in their lives. This book is my top ten of the year.
Favorite quote: "Sometimes, I think most of friendship is knowing when to keep your mouth shut and your ears open."
"A burden shared is a burden lifted.”
Aaron Hartzler is the author of Rapture Practice (Little, Brown), a memoir about getting kicked out of his Christian high school two weeks before graduation. The New York Times called Rapture Practice "effervescent and moving, evocative and tender." It was also named one of Kirkus Reviews and Amazon's Best Books of 2013, and was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award. His second book, a novel called What We Saw, was published by HarperTeen on September 22, 2015. It's the story of a girl named Kate whose friend is assaulted by student athletes at a party, and how Kate navigates small town politics to find out what really happened. Aaron lives at the beach in Los Angeles with his husband, Brant, and their two rescue dogs, Charlie and Brahms.
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