Maybe He Just Likes You

Mila's family has been having a hard time lately; her father never pays child support and money is tight.  That's why she hasn't said anything to her mom about needing new clothes.  She just sticks with what she can make work, but her body has changed a lot, and even the clothes she can wear are tight over her chest and hips. 

She's already self-conscious, so when the basketball boys force a group hug on Mila and her friends, so just feels worse.  But that's not the end of it.  Suddenly, Mila is the focus of a group of boys who try to hug her, touch her, and put her in uncomfortable situations. 

Is she just being too sensitive like the boys say when she confronts them?  It doesn't feel like it.  It feels like torture, like every part of her life is being invaded by aggressive boys.  Even when she tells her friends, they don't really get it.  Zara even accuses her of thinking everyone is flirting with her.  Max wants her to talk to a school administrator, but how can she go to a man about this, especially when he coaches the basketball team?

A karate class at the new gym in town helps, but what will she do when the two-week free trial is over, and they can't afford the classes anymore?  It's not until things become completely overwhelming that she lashes out.  Will someone finally listen to her side of the story and really understand?

Barbara Dee's new book should be required reading for middle school and up.  My middle and high school days are decades in the past, but Mila's story took me back to those awkward encounters with touches and words I would never tolerate now.  I think this book highlights the beginnings of a cultural shift.  We can't just brush off inappropriate behavior by saying "maybe he just likes you" anymore.  Victims of this kind of casual assault need safe harbors at school and at home, and the perpetrators need to be educated and disciplined for inappropriate behavior.  Highly recommended.

The only thing that struck me wrong was the use of the slang "fresh" for talking back.  It pops up a couple of times.  Does anyone say that anymore?  Is it a regional thing?  I only know it from watching reruns on afternoon tv as a kid.