Attorney Zara Kaleel has left her legal career behind and is now working as a counselor at a rape crisis center. When a girl with facial deformities, sixteen-year-old Jodie Wolfe, tells Kara that she was raped by four classmates, Zara promises Jodie that she will help her through the legal fight that is ahead of her. The four boys who are accused of rape are from hard-working immigrant families. They are questioned separately, but each corroborate the others story. Zara is determined to help Jodie, but Zara's Muslim family is upset that she would side against the accused Muslim boys which puts the whole community at risk.
I heard a lot about this book so I thought I'd give it a try. It's a very thought-provoking story with heavy topics: sexual assault, race, religion, class, disabilities, and social justice. As I read the book, I wasn't sure who was telling the truth. Jodie sounded so believable when she told what happened to her; but the boys also had believable stories. The only part of the story I didn't like was Zara herself. She was kind of a mess, unable to build a relationship with her boyfriend, and popping pills to make it through the day. The only time I felt bad for her was when she would meet with her family and her brother would question her lifestyle, job, and every choice she made. My rating: 4 Stars.
I heard a lot about this book so I thought I'd give it a try. It's a very thought-provoking story with heavy topics: sexual assault, race, religion, class, disabilities, and social justice. As I read the book, I wasn't sure who was telling the truth. Jodie sounded so believable when she told what happened to her; but the boys also had believable stories. The only part of the story I didn't like was Zara herself. She was kind of a mess, unable to build a relationship with her boyfriend, and popping pills to make it through the day. The only time I felt bad for her was when she would meet with her family and her brother would question her lifestyle, job, and every choice she made. My rating: 4 Stars.
