Protected - Hardcover

Zorn, Claire

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 149265213X ISBN 13: 9781492652137

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire, 2017

Synopsis

An inspiring and achingly honest story of a girl with the courage to endure, hope, and even heal in the face of unimaginable tragedy, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen's Just Listen.

I have three months left to call Katie my older sister. Then the gap will close and I will pass her. I will get older. But Katie will always be fifteen, eleven months and twenty-one days old.

Hannah has survived high school by putting up walls. At first, they were meant to protect her from the relentless bullying that no one would defend her from, not even her popular older sister, Katie. Then Katie died, and, in a cruel twist of fate, Hannah's daily torment abruptly stopped. Now the walls try to shut it all out-the grief, the loneliness, and the harsh truth that Katie's death has somehow improved Hannah's life.

Then something happens that Hannah couldn't have predicted-friendship comes knocking in the form of new student Josh Chamberlain. Hannah has never been so desperate for connection. But if this isn't for real, if it's just another joke, Hannah's not sure she can take it.

Praise for Protected:
"Zorn shows the devastating effects of bullying while affectingly tracing Hannah's spiritual journey, coming to terms with truths she doesn't want to face and learning how to trust. " ―Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"Though the book tackles important issues, it reaches far beyond these flash points into a fully developed exploration of the aftermath of tragedy through strong characterization and genuine emotional appeal."-Kirkus, Starred Review

About this title

About the Author:

""Claire Zorn lives on the south coast of New South Wales with her husband and two small children. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Post Graduate Diploma in writing. She is a music lover, retro furniture collector and amateur swim-club enthusiast.""

Review:

"Zorn treats the issue of bullying with brutal realism, which provides a gritty contrast to the new landscape Hannah finds herself in. Though the book tackles important issues, it reaches far beyond these flash points into a fully developed exploration of the aftermath of tragedy through strong characterization and genuine emotional appeal. Amid loss, depression, and futility, a sense of hope manages to permeate the narrative. A story that defies the "dead sister" genre and questions the very structure of familial relationships." - Kirkus, starred review

"In this frank tale of a teenager's complicated feelings and emotional defenses, Australian author Zorn shows the devastating effects of bullying while affectingly tracing Hannah's spiritual journey, coming to terms with truths she doesn't want to face and learning how to trust. Although much of the novel is tinged with sadness, there are meaningful flickers of hope as Hannah gains courage and strength." - Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A sensitive examination of healing after trauma, the story is faithful to the complexities of sibling relationships." - Horn Book Magazine

"Teens will suffer with Hannah as she is cruelly harassed and feels helpless to stop it. They will cry with her when she loses her best friend, her identity and then her sister. And they will experience her relief as she rediscovers friendship and confidence in herself...complex, emotional, and discussable." - School Library Journal

"Zorn's portrayal of a complicated relationship between sisters who are close in age but very different in personality is believable, as is the morass of guilt and anger that has enveloped Hannah's family... this character-driven novel should satisfy fans of Fiona Wood." - Booklist

"This is a book about strength, healing, family, community, the importance of kindness, and ideal for fans of heartfelt literature like Sarah Dessen's Just Listen." - School Library Connection

About this edition

• Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 149265213X
• ISBN 13: 9781492652137
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 288