Summary:
Aiden (a brilliantly described character) is struggling with issues that are popping up within his family. He wants to escape, so he begins experimenting with drugs and alcohol. When that does not work, he turns to the next thing he knows in his life, the church. Father Greg is such an excellent listener and Aiden completely trusts him; however, Father Greg betrays that trust. Using his status within Aiden's life, he manipulates the relationship and Aiden is lost once again. This time, he takes solace in a group of friends, Josie, Sophie, and Mark. The four teens help each other grow up and Mark ends up being the exact person that Aiden really need. The two of them have secrets to share that just may make that hole inside Aiden close up.
My thoughts:
Sexual abuse is a difficult subject to talk about. Often times, an adult in a teens life is unable to talk on the same level as their peer about such an incident, even though at least 25% of the population has gone through it. Books like these give a safe space for a teen to examine events that may have happened to them and think a bit more about the actions that they should take. While most stay silent, this book shares that the truth is far more powerful than keeping a secret. The secret eats away what the truth can restore. I hope that there are more friends that help each other deal with past incidents like Mark and Aiden do for one another. It definitely is helpful.
Aiden (a brilliantly described character) is struggling with issues that are popping up within his family. He wants to escape, so he begins experimenting with drugs and alcohol. When that does not work, he turns to the next thing he knows in his life, the church. Father Greg is such an excellent listener and Aiden completely trusts him; however, Father Greg betrays that trust. Using his status within Aiden's life, he manipulates the relationship and Aiden is lost once again. This time, he takes solace in a group of friends, Josie, Sophie, and Mark. The four teens help each other grow up and Mark ends up being the exact person that Aiden really need. The two of them have secrets to share that just may make that hole inside Aiden close up.
My thoughts:
Sexual abuse is a difficult subject to talk about. Often times, an adult in a teens life is unable to talk on the same level as their peer about such an incident, even though at least 25% of the population has gone through it. Books like these give a safe space for a teen to examine events that may have happened to them and think a bit more about the actions that they should take. While most stay silent, this book shares that the truth is far more powerful than keeping a secret. The secret eats away what the truth can restore. I hope that there are more friends that help each other deal with past incidents like Mark and Aiden do for one another. It definitely is helpful.
