A powerful, feminist coming-of-age story from the author of The Truth About Alice
Only she can save herself. . . .
Rachel Walker’s family and community have turned away from the world.
Every part of Rachel’s life is controlled, from what she reads to where she goes and what she wears.
Her parents dictate how her life must be: marriage, modesty, children, and obedience to her future husband.
But when a former member of her community, a girl who escaped, moves back to her small Texas town, Rachel’s world turns upside down.
She realizes that her life is her own―if only she can find the courage to fight for it.
Devoted: A Novel by Jennifer Mathieu is an empowering young adult contemporary novel about self-discovery, by the author of The Truth About Alice, Moxie, and Afterward.
Also by Jennifer Mathieu:
The Truth About Alice: A powerful look at slut-shaming, told through the perspectives of four small-town teens, about how everyone has a motive to bring―and keep―a teen girl down.
Afterward: A tragic kidnapping leads to an unlikely friendship in this novel about finding light in the midst of darkness.
Moxie: An unlikely teenager starts a feminist revolution at a small-town Texas high school.
Praise for Devoted:
An Amelia Bloomer List Top Ten Book
"Jennifer Mathieu put her name on the YA map with last year’s heart-wrenching high school bullying novel The Truth About Alice. . . . her sophomore novel is tackling subjects just as difficult: religion and cult, particularly as they relate to young women. Rachel grew up in the Quiverfull movement―one similar to the Duggars’ practices on TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting―but as she finds herself connecting illicitly to the outside world, she starts to wonder if there’s more for her as a woman outside of bearing children." ―Bustle
“This thoughtful, character-driven study of one girl’s struggle . . . is an exceptionally nuanced treatment.” ―Booklist, starred review
“An engaging, illuminating, but never sensationalized portrayal of one plucky teen’s self-discovery.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“Makes for riveting reading.” ―Publisher's Weekly
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Jennifer Mathieu teaches English to middle and high schoolers. She lives in Texas with her husband, her son, her dog, and two cats. She is the author of The Truth About Alice, Devoted, and Afterward.
Gr 6 Up—Traditional patriarchal belief systems stress that girls should be under the control of their fathers until they marry at very young ages and are then placed under the control of their husbands. Rachel Walker, a Born Again Christian teen, is one of 10 children whose family follows this plan until something from the outside world tugs within her. Rachel learns that Lauren Sullivan, a girl who escaped from this community a few years ago, is back in town working at an animal hospital. Through emails, Rachel finds that she and Lauren share similar radical ideas. Lauren sends the protagonist a line from a poem by Mary Oliver, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do/With your one wild and precious life?" This haunting question gives Rachel no peace, but she knows that the answer for her is not to follow in her mother's footsteps. When a neighbor tells Mr. Walker that Rachel was seen at the animal hospital, he decides to send her to a religious retreat that will reprogram her to become obedient again. This proves to be too much for Rachel and she gets Lauren to rescue her. Rachel's courage allows her to follow a new destiny that will honor her precious life. Many teens will have no difficulty in rejecting the strict tenets of Rachel's faith. Readers will be drawn into her anguish even though the outcome will come as no surprise. VERDICT Devoted chronicles that calling to pursue one's heart's desire, a feeling that most teens will connect with and understand.—Lillian Hecker, Town of Pelham Public Library, NY
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00042167084
Quantity: 3 available
Seller: Goodwill, Brooklyn Park, MN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Cover/Case has some rubbing and edgewear. Access codes, CDs, slipcovers and other accessories may not be included. Seller Inventory # 2Y6RVP003C7W_ns
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_396017075
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Good condition. This is the average used book, that has all pages or leaves present, but may include writing. Book may be ex-library with stamps and stickers. 0.6. Seller Inventory # 353-1250090695-gdd
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Books Unplugged, Amherst, NY, U.S.A.
Condition: Fair. Buy with confidence! Book is in acceptable condition with wear to the pages, binding, and some marks within 0.6. Seller Inventory # bk1250090695xvz189zvxacp
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Reprint. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 17144075-6
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GF Books, Inc., Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Book is in Used-VeryGood condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain very limited notes and highlighting. 0.6. Seller Inventory # 1250090695-2-3
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Condition: Fine. Like New condition. Great condition, but not exactly fully crisp. The book may have been opened and read, but there are no defects to the book, jacket or pages. 0.6. Seller Inventory # 353-1250090695-lkn
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 41-1250090695-G
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: medimops, Berlin, Germany
Condition: very good. Gut/Very good: Buch bzw. Schutzumschlag mit wenigen Gebrauchsspuren an Einband, Schutzumschlag oder Seiten. / Describes a book or dust jacket that does show some signs of wear on either the binding, dust jacket or pages. Seller Inventory # M01250090695-V
Quantity: 1 available