Age Group: 12+ Years, Adults

Description: High school freshman Melinda Sordino enters ninth grade as a pariah after calling the police at a party, silencing her voice amid whispers and isolation. Traumatized by a devastating assault she can't verbalize, Melinda navigates art class solace, quirky friendships, and tree sketches symbolizing stifled growth. Anderson masterfully captures teen angst, betrayal, and muted rage through Melinda's raw journal entries, building to cathartic confrontation with attacker Andy Evans. Winner of multiple awards, this poignant novel confronts sexual assault's aftermath, reclaiming narrative power and sparking vital conversations on consent, silence, and healing. Essential reading for young adults processing trauma and finding strength in truth.