Tease - Hardcover

Maciel, Amanda

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062305301 ISBN 13: 9780062305305

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, 2014

Synopsis

If you gulped through reading or streaming 13 Reasons Why, Tease is the book for you.

Provocative, unforgettable, and inspired by real-life incidents, Amanda Maciel's highly acclaimed debut novel Tease is the story of a teenage girl who faces criminal charges for bullying after a classmate commits suicide. With its powerful narrative, unconventional point of view, and strong anti-bullying theme, this coming-of-age story offers smart, insightful, and nuanced views on high school society, toxic friendships, and family relationships.

Emma Putnam is dead, and it's all Sara Wharton's fault. At least, that's what everyone seems to think. Sara, along with her best friend and three other classmates, has been criminally charged for the bullying and harassment that led to Emma's shocking suicide. Now Sara is the one who's ostracized, already guilty according to her peers, the community, and the media. In the summer before her senior year, in between meetings with lawyers and a court-recommended therapist, Sara is forced to reflect on the events that brought her to this moment—and ultimately consider her own role in an undeniable tragedy.

And she'll have to find a way to move forward, even when it feels like her own life is over.

About this title

Review:

Discussion Questions for Tease by Amanda Maciel

1. What is your first impression of Sara? How does that opinion change in chapter two, the first flashback chapter?

2. Describe Sara and Brielle’s friendship. How is their relationship different from their friendships with Jacob, Tyler, Dylan, Noelle, etc. ?

3. When Sara argues with her father, she retorts, “Maybe I am a child, Dad” (p. 274). Why is it important to remember that she is still just a teenager?

4. Brielle and Sara are accused of bullying Emma, but what other instances of bullying occur in Tease?

5. How does Sara’s relationship with her mother and brothers compare to Brielle’s relationship with her own family? What about Sara’s relationship with her father, or lack thereof?

6. What role does social media play in the lives of the characters?

7. After their dinner date, Sara opens up to Carmichael about the entire case. Why is this scene important? What does Sara realize?

8. In court, Sara notes that she and Brielle are “both here to admit that we’ve lost. We give up” (p. 304). Why does she view the plea bargain as giving up? Do you agree? Does her opinion change by the end of the novel?

9. Amanda Maciel notes that while the characters and events in Tease are fictional, they were heavily influenced by true stories. What instances of bullying have you encountered? Why is it important to talk about this issue?

From the Back Cover:

Emma Putnam is dead, and it's all Sara Wharton's fault.

At least, that's what everyone seems to think. Sara, along with her best friend and three other classmates, has been criminally charged for the bullying and harassment that led to Emma's shocking suicide. Now Sara is the one who's ostracized, already guilty according to her peers, the community, and the media.

During the summer before her senior year, in between meetings with lawyers and a court-recommended therapist, Sara is forced to reflect on the events that brought her to this moment—and ultimately consider her role in an undeniable tragedy. And she'll have to find a way to move forward, even when it feels like her own life is over.

In this powerful debut novel inspired by real-life events, Amanda Maciel weaves a narrative of high school life as complex and heartbreaking as it is familiar: a story of everyday jealousies and resentments, misunderstandings and desires. Tease is a thought-provoking must-read that will haunt readers long after the last page.

About this edition

• Publisher: Balzer + Bray
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0062305301
• ISBN 13: 9780062305305
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336