Fault Line - Softcover

Desir, C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1442460733 ISBN 13: 9781442460737

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2014

Synopsis

In a single night, Ani’s life was torn to shreds—and Ben struggles with the weight of trying to fix the unfixable in this heartbreaking and edgy debut novel.

Ben could date anyone he wants, but he only has eyes for the new girl—sarcastic, free-spirited Ani. Luckily for Ben, Ani wants him, too. She’s everything Ben could ever imagine. Everything he could ever want.

But that all changes after the party. The one Ben misses. The one Ani goes to alone.

Now Ani isn’t the girl she used to be, and Ben can’t sort out the truth from the lies. What really happened, and who is to blame?

Ben wants to help Ani, but the more she pushes him away, the more he wonders if there’s anything he can do to save the girl he loves in this powerful, gut-wrenching debut novel.

About this title

About the Author

C. Desir writes dark contemporary fiction for young adults. She lives with her husband, three small children, and overly enthusiastic dog outside of Chicago. She has volunteered as a rape victim activist for more than ten years, including providing direct service as an advocate in hospital ERs. She also works as an editor at Samhain Publishing. Visit her at ChristaDesir.com.

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up—High school senior Ben is busy working on getting a swimming scholarship, dealing with life at home as his father transitions to a new job, and looking out for his younger brother. The teen's life takes a quick and dizzying turn when he falls for Annika, the hot new girl at school. Ani's sexy quips and artsy, adventuresome spirit dazzles Ben, and the connection and chemistry between them grows the more time they spend together. Ben misses a fateful party, while she goes alone with her friend Kate. The next day, he's at the hospital, waiting as Ani gets prepped for a rape kit. Ben and Ani's lives descend rapidly into a nightmare as she reacts to the firestorm of ugly rumors and Ben becomes obsessed with finding out what happened that night. The novel is a grim take on the horrible ramifications of date rape, which impacts not only the victim but all those around her. Similar to Steven Levenkron's The Best Little Girl in the World (Contemporary Bks., 1978), author and rape-victim activist Desir is clearly knowledgeable about this important subject. However, the choice to tell Ani's story from the perspective of an outsider does not help readers understand her or other survivors. Instead, teens' experiences will mirror Ben's own helplessness and frustration as he tries, and fails, to help his girlfriend. A grueling, if unfortunately timely, read.—Evelyn Khoo Schwartz, Georgetown Day School, Washington, DC

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1442460733
• ISBN 13: 9781442460737
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 256