What We Saw - Hardcover

Hartzler, Aaron

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062338749 ISBN 13: 9780062338747

Publisher: HarperTeen, 2015

Synopsis

“A smart, sensitive, and gripping story about the courage it takes to do what’s right.” —Deb Caletti, National Book Award finalist

Critically acclaimed memoirist Aaron Hartzler, author of Rapture Practice, takes an unflinching look at what happens to a small town when some of its residents commit a terrible crime.

The party at John Doone's last Saturday night is a bit of a blur. Kate Weston can piece together most of the details: Stacey Stallard handing her shots, Ben Cody taking her keys and getting her home early... 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 questions: Who witnessed what happened to Stacey? And what responsibility do they have to speak up about what they saw?

This honest, authentic debut novel—inspired by the events in the Steubenville rape case—will resonate with readers who've ever walked that razor-thin line between guilt and innocence that so often gets blurred, one text at a time.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

The party last Saturday night is a bit of a blur.

Kate Weston can piece together most of the bash at John Doone's house: shots with Stacey Stallard, Ben Cody taking Kate's keys and getting her home early, the feeling that maybe Ben is 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, and begins to ask questions.

What really happened at the party after she left?
Who was still there?
What did they see?

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.

About the Author:

Aaron Hartzler is the author of the critically acclaimed YA memoir Rapture Practice. This is his first work of fiction.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperTeen
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0062338749
• ISBN 13: 9780062338747
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 336