Touch
HarperTeen, 2009
Fiction
ISBN: 0061375179
272 pages
Synopsis
Something happened to fourteen-year-old Maisie Willard—something involving her three friends, all boys. But their stories don’t match, and the rumors spin out of control. Then other people get involved . . . the school, the parents, the lawyers. The incident at the back of the bus becomes the center of Maisie’s life and the talk of the school, and, horribly, it becomes news. With just a few words and a touch, the kids and their community are changed forever.
Critique
Prose does an excellent job of handling what is likely to be considered a difficult topic to address in young adult literature. Even though the main character is 14 and books featuring 14 year olds are typically read by 10-14 year olds, I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone younger than 14.
The aspects of Maisie’s life regarding growing up, trying to find independence with two separate sets of parents, and her changing body are explored with tact and honesty, but everything involving ‘the incident’ takes it from about 10mph to 70mph in no time flat. There is a level of ambiguity about the incident that plays up the story overall in an interesting way. However, personally I didn’t enjoy reading the book, but I suppose that’s not necessarily the point. I commend Prose on her courage in addressing difficult issues like sexual harassment and her honesty regarding all parties surrounding them.
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For the Classroom
There’s not much that can be used in this story specifically as a classroom companion. However, it’s a great book to recommend to girls and boys around 14 or 15 who are beginning to process through their journey about growing up. Becoming an adult is difficult and confusing for everyone.
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