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Available
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Publication
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (2010), Hardcover, 352 pages
Description
When Alex, a junior at an elite preparatory school, realizes that she may have been the victim of date rape, she confides in her roommates and sister who convince her to seek help from a secret society, the Mockingbirds.
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Booklist
Authentic and illuminating, this strong debut explores vital teen topics of sex and violence; crime and punishment; ineffectual authority; and the immeasurable, healing influence of friendship and love.
The novel is never preachy, nor does it stray into feminist manifesto, but it does lend a voice to those who often have difficulty finding their own.
User reviews
LibraryThing member ReadingFanatic09
When Alex wakes up in a boy's bed, she struggles with the reality of the situation. She doesn't really know the boy (she knows who he is but he's not a friend...barely an acquaintance. She doesn't remember last night...at all. As she struggles with the reality that she was date-raped, something she
Whitney handles the issue of date rape well. I was initially worried that I would constantly be comparing this novel to Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak. However, Whitney held her own in addressing the issue at hand and helping her main character through the coping process. Many readers will question the vigilante nature of the Mockingbirds and wonder why the main character doesn't go to the police. However, I felt that the author did well approaching the issue as a high schooler might--the fear, the guilt, the innocence. Of course you don't want your parents to find out.
This books offers a portrayal of high school as a party atmosphere, which I think is sometimes a little over done in YA literature. The "normal" high schoolers don't make quite as phenomenal stories (I suppose or at least that's the perception). However, I wouldn't let that stop you from enjoying this book. It is a good reflection on the difficulties of dealing with rape.
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spends most of the book coming to terms with, she must decide how to deal with it. Her older sister and close friends convince her to take her case to the Mockingbirds, the schools only real justice system for students. They are a group of students that hear various cases brought to them by students and exact their own form of justice. I won't go into details about the whole process and the trial here, so as to not spoil anything for potential readers!Whitney handles the issue of date rape well. I was initially worried that I would constantly be comparing this novel to Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak. However, Whitney held her own in addressing the issue at hand and helping her main character through the coping process. Many readers will question the vigilante nature of the Mockingbirds and wonder why the main character doesn't go to the police. However, I felt that the author did well approaching the issue as a high schooler might--the fear, the guilt, the innocence. Of course you don't want your parents to find out.
This books offers a portrayal of high school as a party atmosphere, which I think is sometimes a little over done in YA literature. The "normal" high schoolers don't make quite as phenomenal stories (I suppose or at least that's the perception). However, I wouldn't let that stop you from enjoying this book. It is a good reflection on the difficulties of dealing with rape.
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LibraryThing member airdna
Not since Speak has a YA novel taken such a bold and unflinching look at date rape and the way it affects the victim's psyche and self-esteem. But Daisy Whitney goes even further in tackling deeper issues of injustice and personal power. Unlike Speak's Melinda, Alex of The Mockingbirds doesn't
This is such an important book for young people to read because it goes beyond simple "no means no" rhetoric to give a much stricter and more modern definition of rape: unless she said "yes" she did not consent, and if she was intoxicated she could not consent. But beyond its message it's just a Good Read. The characters are likable and relatable with strong, smart young women who stand up and refuse to be victims, and some male characters who prove that not all men are dogs by being trustworthy and protective. The plot is compelling and moves at a fast pace...and references to To Kill a Mockingbird abound. What's not to love?
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suffer in silence for long. She is given a voice soon after she's assaulted, thanks to the secret society of students who mete out their own kind of justice at the elite boarding school she attends. Faculty and Administration at Themis Academy turn a blind eye to misconduct such as bullying and cheating, so the underground group The Mockingbirds developed as a way to enforce the code of conduct, with a council of select students passing judgment and dispensing punishment on their peers.This is such an important book for young people to read because it goes beyond simple "no means no" rhetoric to give a much stricter and more modern definition of rape: unless she said "yes" she did not consent, and if she was intoxicated she could not consent. But beyond its message it's just a Good Read. The characters are likable and relatable with strong, smart young women who stand up and refuse to be victims, and some male characters who prove that not all men are dogs by being trustworthy and protective. The plot is compelling and moves at a fast pace...and references to To Kill a Mockingbird abound. What's not to love?
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LibraryThing member abackwardsstory
Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.
Debut author Daisy Whitney doesn't hold back the punches when it comes to The Mockingbirds. Hard-hitting and honest, this is easily one of the best teen novels of the year. The book takes its name from Harper
The book is named after a group of students at Themis Academy who call themselves The Mockingbirds. The group is sort of like a secret society. Most students don't know who is in it, only that The Mockingbirds exist. The group is in charge of the school's justice system and making sure that students honor the Code of Conduct because the teachers think the students are perfect and can do no wrong. They have an elaborate trial and jury system and have molded themselves using context from To Kill A Mockingbird. For example, when they are accepting applications for new recruits, they make several allusions to the novel:
Join the Mockingbirds! Stand up, sing out! We're scouting new singers, so run, run, run on your way to our New Nine, where you can learn a simple trick...
(Did you get all of them?) When a case is about to go to trial, they hang gum in tin foil from the trees in the quad, which represents the first thing Boo Radley left in the Knothole for Scout and Jem. There's even a very specific use for a physical copy of Harper Lee's tome. Whitney weaves the classic into her novel in an interesting way that always had me smiling.
The book itself deals with some hard themes. The Mockingbirds is centered around a girl named Alex who goes out with some friends, drinks a little too much, and wakes up next to a boy she doesn't know. She later comes to terms with the fact that she was date raped; the book focuses on the fact that such a thing can still occur when someone is asleep and/or unconscious. In the Afterword, Whitney mentions that she herself was once date-raped, which was one of the reasons she wrote this novel. Because she'd experienced it herself, what Alex goes through feels emotional and real, but never trite. I once had a writing professor who stated that there are a few topics that most writers have trouble tackling. Rape was one of those issues. Whitney handles the topic realistically in a way that endears Alex to readers.
The novel is self-contained, but reading Whitney's blog earlier today, I discovered that she has submitted a second "Mockingbirds" novel for publication. If you're the type of person who doesn't like sequels, you can still read this book and not worry about an open ending. It's my belief that the "sequel" will be more of a book that takes place at the same school with many of the same characters making an appearance, especially since we meet many Mockingbirds in this novel. Whitney's voice is fresh and easy to read, so I am already eagerly anticipating her sophomore release.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.
Debut author Daisy Whitney doesn't hold back the punches when it comes to The Mockingbirds. Hard-hitting and honest, this is easily one of the best teen novels of the year. The book takes its name from Harper
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Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird and is heavily influenced by the classic. That alone = made of win. The book is named after a group of students at Themis Academy who call themselves The Mockingbirds. The group is sort of like a secret society. Most students don't know who is in it, only that The Mockingbirds exist. The group is in charge of the school's justice system and making sure that students honor the Code of Conduct because the teachers think the students are perfect and can do no wrong. They have an elaborate trial and jury system and have molded themselves using context from To Kill A Mockingbird. For example, when they are accepting applications for new recruits, they make several allusions to the novel:
Join the Mockingbirds! Stand up, sing out! We're scouting new singers, so run, run, run on your way to our New Nine, where you can learn a simple trick...
(Did you get all of them?) When a case is about to go to trial, they hang gum in tin foil from the trees in the quad, which represents the first thing Boo Radley left in the Knothole for Scout and Jem. There's even a very specific use for a physical copy of Harper Lee's tome. Whitney weaves the classic into her novel in an interesting way that always had me smiling.
The book itself deals with some hard themes. The Mockingbirds is centered around a girl named Alex who goes out with some friends, drinks a little too much, and wakes up next to a boy she doesn't know. She later comes to terms with the fact that she was date raped; the book focuses on the fact that such a thing can still occur when someone is asleep and/or unconscious. In the Afterword, Whitney mentions that she herself was once date-raped, which was one of the reasons she wrote this novel. Because she'd experienced it herself, what Alex goes through feels emotional and real, but never trite. I once had a writing professor who stated that there are a few topics that most writers have trouble tackling. Rape was one of those issues. Whitney handles the topic realistically in a way that endears Alex to readers.
The novel is self-contained, but reading Whitney's blog earlier today, I discovered that she has submitted a second "Mockingbirds" novel for publication. If you're the type of person who doesn't like sequels, you can still read this book and not worry about an open ending. It's my belief that the "sequel" will be more of a book that takes place at the same school with many of the same characters making an appearance, especially since we meet many Mockingbirds in this novel. Whitney's voice is fresh and easy to read, so I am already eagerly anticipating her sophomore release.
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LibraryThing member readingdate
I read an ARC of The Mockingbirds over the Summer and the story has stayed with me since then. Tackling the difficult subject matter of date rape, The Mockingbirds is a thoughtful and powerful read. I think the story is so compelling because it’s so easy to relate to the protagonist, Alex. This
The book presents the circumstances regarding the rape and the aftermath. Alex deals with a lot of guilt and shame about the date rape, and questions whether it even qualified as rape. When talking to her friends she starts to come to terms with the fact that she was date raped. Rather than going to the police or alerting the school authorities, she is referred to the school’s student run justice system called The Mockingbirds. Their name is inspired by To Kill A Mockingbird and the group strives to live up to their name by speaking up against injustices and being honorable. Readers of the Harper Lee book (I haven’t read it..yet) may notice references to the novel through the actions of The Mockingbirds. The Mockingbirds hold an investigation and trial in the case of the date rape. It is a fascinating process seeing the handling of the case by the students, and seeing Alex deal with the experience.
Throughout the book Alex is trying to process and heal from the rape while seeking justice. She has a great group of friends as a support network, and a special Mockingbird friend named Martin. Alex is a gifted pianist and I liked seeing the music incorporated into the story. There is some romance in the book between Martin and Alex. I saw that as hopeful and another part of Alex’s healing process to open herself up to romance after her attack.
The Mockingbirds is a well written, thought provoking and intense debut from Daisy Whitney. I would recommend this book to anyone high school age and up. The Mockingbirds has a positive message and I will pass the book along to my daughter someday. I look forward to reading Ms. Whitney’s next book. And also finally reading To Kill A Mockingbird.
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story about date rape and standing up for yourself felt very raw and honest and and like this situation could happen to anyone. I was immediately hooked on the story with the opening sentences.The book presents the circumstances regarding the rape and the aftermath. Alex deals with a lot of guilt and shame about the date rape, and questions whether it even qualified as rape. When talking to her friends she starts to come to terms with the fact that she was date raped. Rather than going to the police or alerting the school authorities, she is referred to the school’s student run justice system called The Mockingbirds. Their name is inspired by To Kill A Mockingbird and the group strives to live up to their name by speaking up against injustices and being honorable. Readers of the Harper Lee book (I haven’t read it..yet) may notice references to the novel through the actions of The Mockingbirds. The Mockingbirds hold an investigation and trial in the case of the date rape. It is a fascinating process seeing the handling of the case by the students, and seeing Alex deal with the experience.
Throughout the book Alex is trying to process and heal from the rape while seeking justice. She has a great group of friends as a support network, and a special Mockingbird friend named Martin. Alex is a gifted pianist and I liked seeing the music incorporated into the story. There is some romance in the book between Martin and Alex. I saw that as hopeful and another part of Alex’s healing process to open herself up to romance after her attack.
The Mockingbirds is a well written, thought provoking and intense debut from Daisy Whitney. I would recommend this book to anyone high school age and up. The Mockingbirds has a positive message and I will pass the book along to my daughter someday. I look forward to reading Ms. Whitney’s next book. And also finally reading To Kill A Mockingbird.
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LibraryThing member eejjennings
Based on the author's experience with date rape in college, this book sensitively deals with Alex's sexual assault in a tony prep school in which the administration naively believes that nothing so heinous would be done by one of their students. The students have set up their own system of justice
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which meets out punishments which are fair. Although it rang a bit idealistic, I would recommend it to teens as a cautionary tale. Show Less
LibraryThing member YAaddict
I have known for a while the The Mockingbirds is a story about a date-rape. What I didn't know until the book was in my hands was the author was has been through date-rape herself. How Whitney took her own experience and used it to write this book is simply amazing. I applaud her for that.
The
The writing in this story was phenomenal. Some the the best I have read all year. The dialogue felt so natural, it was like being in a real conversation. The idea of The Mockingbirds had my attention. How incredible for teens to stand up for one another when the adults are simply turning the other cheek. I really enjoyed learning how The Mockingbirds justice system works. There was also a sweet romance that enhanced the story for me.
As amazing as the writing and characters were, there was something that bothered me, and it still does. I don't feel proper justice was given in this case. I think the suspect got off very easy for committing something as terrible as date-rape. The grown up part of me also felt uncomfortable that no adults were there to help handle the situation. Her parents never knew what happened, and the police were never involved. I understand the base of this story is the student justice system, but I just really hope if this happened to someone in real life they would know the go to the police. If you can look past that or if these things wouldn't bother you, The Mockingbirds would be perfect.
But when it comes down to it, The Mockingbirds is a remarkable story that reminds us how important it is to stand up for ourselves, even when we feel helpless. It also reminded me just how valuable friends are. The Mockingbirds has made me a big fan on Whitney's writing, and I can't for more from her.
The
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story starts things off right away. Alex wakes up to find herself in bed with a guy, only she doesn't remember anything about last night. She first assumes she made a stupid mistake and just doesn't remember why. But with the support of her friends and her sporadic flashbacks, she comes to find it was much more than that. The position Alex was in could have been any teen girl. I immediately felt to terrible for what she went through and wanted justice. What I love about Alex was Whitney did an excellent job showing her as a real person. Not just a victim. I loved her personality. She has such an imagination and it was fun to be in her mind. The writing in this story was phenomenal. Some the the best I have read all year. The dialogue felt so natural, it was like being in a real conversation. The idea of The Mockingbirds had my attention. How incredible for teens to stand up for one another when the adults are simply turning the other cheek. I really enjoyed learning how The Mockingbirds justice system works. There was also a sweet romance that enhanced the story for me.
As amazing as the writing and characters were, there was something that bothered me, and it still does. I don't feel proper justice was given in this case. I think the suspect got off very easy for committing something as terrible as date-rape. The grown up part of me also felt uncomfortable that no adults were there to help handle the situation. Her parents never knew what happened, and the police were never involved. I understand the base of this story is the student justice system, but I just really hope if this happened to someone in real life they would know the go to the police. If you can look past that or if these things wouldn't bother you, The Mockingbirds would be perfect.
But when it comes down to it, The Mockingbirds is a remarkable story that reminds us how important it is to stand up for ourselves, even when we feel helpless. It also reminded me just how valuable friends are. The Mockingbirds has made me a big fan on Whitney's writing, and I can't for more from her.
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LibraryThing member khager
Alex is a talented musician and student at an exclusive boarding school. When she's date raped one night, she doesn't want to go to the police and she knows the school administrators will be worse than useless. Fortunately, the school has a semi-secret group called the Mockingbirds, a small group
While the book sounds kind of depressing, it really isn't. Yes, Alex gets raped, but instead of it being a meditation on victimhood, it's more of a story of bravery and overcoming fear and standing up for yourself. It's a story about friendship and doing the right thing.
This book is completely amazing. I was pretty sure I'd like it when I read that the student group took its name from To Kill a Mockingbird, but I was hooked from pretty much the first sentence.
I love Alex and her friends, who all stood by her without a second thought or any sort of judgment. In our society, it seems like there's always some sort of second guessing when it comes to rape, but none of her friends asked what she was wearing or how much she'd been drinking or why she was even talking to that guy anyway.
Which brings me to my last point. Alex is date raped, which is (obviously) different from stranger rape. The idea behind this particular case is whether or not she said yes, not if she said no. She was at a party and drinking, so was she able to give consent?
In a lot of ways, that made the story even more poignant, because Alex first had to come to terms with exactly what happened herself.
I cannot possibly recommend this book more forcefully. I want everyone I have ever met to read it and actually want to demand that strangers on the street do, too. This is a wonderful, amazing, thought-provoking book. Please read it and then please let me know what you think.
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of students who avenge wrongs. While the book sounds kind of depressing, it really isn't. Yes, Alex gets raped, but instead of it being a meditation on victimhood, it's more of a story of bravery and overcoming fear and standing up for yourself. It's a story about friendship and doing the right thing.
This book is completely amazing. I was pretty sure I'd like it when I read that the student group took its name from To Kill a Mockingbird, but I was hooked from pretty much the first sentence.
I love Alex and her friends, who all stood by her without a second thought or any sort of judgment. In our society, it seems like there's always some sort of second guessing when it comes to rape, but none of her friends asked what she was wearing or how much she'd been drinking or why she was even talking to that guy anyway.
Which brings me to my last point. Alex is date raped, which is (obviously) different from stranger rape. The idea behind this particular case is whether or not she said yes, not if she said no. She was at a party and drinking, so was she able to give consent?
In a lot of ways, that made the story even more poignant, because Alex first had to come to terms with exactly what happened herself.
I cannot possibly recommend this book more forcefully. I want everyone I have ever met to read it and actually want to demand that strangers on the street do, too. This is a wonderful, amazing, thought-provoking book. Please read it and then please let me know what you think.
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LibraryThing member stephxsu
When Alex gets date-raped at her prestigious Themis Academy, there’s no one in the jaded administration that she feels comfortable turning to. So instead, she brings her case to the Mockingbirds, a student-run justice system
A book as impactful as Daisy Whitney’s debut novel comes along only
I would say read this for the mere fact that EVERYONE should be educated about the personal and societal consequences of date rape, but it’s also more than that. Yes, the book’s subject is one that everyone should be aware of: through Alex’s story, we learn about the rights of the survivor, the emotional maelstrom in the aftermath, and even the guilt and self-hatred that survivors falsely put upon themselves. But all of this is done in a smart, non-preachy manner. It’s really Alex’s story, Themis Academy’s story, and not just a pedagogical tool with interchangeable characters and side plots. Everything comes together in a way that makes it cohesive not just within the story world.
THE MOCKINGBIRDS makes its impact not just by its important subject but also by Daisy Whitney’s writing style. All too often a book will try to make an impact with an explosive impact, forgetting, in the process, to still develop characters and write in a way that makes us readers care and invest. THE MOCKINGBIRDS does not force us to wade through unnecessary descriptions or artificial relationships: each and every character has a role, has a story, and helps Alex. The book deals with its difficult subject in a no-nonsense manner, and while this can sometimes make Alex feel a little underdeveloped, so all-encompassing her date-rape case seems to be, it also makes her the “everygirl,” one whom readers will be able to relate to and empathize with, regardless of our own experiences.
THE MOCKINGBIRDS is one of those books that should be assigned reading for all teens. If everyone could be educated about date rape through Alex’s experience, the world could truly be a better place.
A book as impactful as Daisy Whitney’s debut novel comes along only
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once every few years. THE MOCKINGBIRDS is at once tender and empowering, clear-cut and sensitive. It’s the kind of book that needs to be read by everyone, yet doesn’t scrimp in the important qualities that make up good literature.I would say read this for the mere fact that EVERYONE should be educated about the personal and societal consequences of date rape, but it’s also more than that. Yes, the book’s subject is one that everyone should be aware of: through Alex’s story, we learn about the rights of the survivor, the emotional maelstrom in the aftermath, and even the guilt and self-hatred that survivors falsely put upon themselves. But all of this is done in a smart, non-preachy manner. It’s really Alex’s story, Themis Academy’s story, and not just a pedagogical tool with interchangeable characters and side plots. Everything comes together in a way that makes it cohesive not just within the story world.
THE MOCKINGBIRDS makes its impact not just by its important subject but also by Daisy Whitney’s writing style. All too often a book will try to make an impact with an explosive impact, forgetting, in the process, to still develop characters and write in a way that makes us readers care and invest. THE MOCKINGBIRDS does not force us to wade through unnecessary descriptions or artificial relationships: each and every character has a role, has a story, and helps Alex. The book deals with its difficult subject in a no-nonsense manner, and while this can sometimes make Alex feel a little underdeveloped, so all-encompassing her date-rape case seems to be, it also makes her the “everygirl,” one whom readers will be able to relate to and empathize with, regardless of our own experiences.
THE MOCKINGBIRDS is one of those books that should be assigned reading for all teens. If everyone could be educated about date rape through Alex’s experience, the world could truly be a better place.
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LibraryThing member TeriHogg
Have you ever had something so bad happen to you that you couldn’t go to the police, and were afraid to tell your parents? Alex is a Junior at Themis, an elite boarding school feeding into the Ivy League. After a concert and too much drinking, Alex wakes up the next morning in a strange bed, with
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someone she really doesn’t know, and can’t remember how she got there. Shame and fear overwhelm her as she struggles in the aftermath of the previous night. Events soon unfold that lead her to a student-led underground society that helps right the wrongs the administration choose to overlook. Saying that I enjoyed reading this book doesn’t sound appropriate given the subject matter, but it gripped me from page one until the end. The story feels real. It’s not a book for everyone, but many high school girls will find themselves or someone they know in its pages. While the plot is fast-paced, I wish the author had delved deeper into the background of the characters. We don’t know very much about any of them except the here and now. However, it did not impede my overall enjoyment. Highly recommended. Girls ages 15-18. Show Less
LibraryThing member dukesangel002
I'm hoping I can get more put into this review than AH!! I Loved it!! Fan girl SQUEE!!
Maybe now that I got that out of my system I can write something coherent ;)
The Mockingbirds begins with Alex waking up in a room that is not hers, in a bed that's not hers, completely naked, and beside a guy she
This is such a powerful book. We are taken through the journey along with Alex as she struggles with what's happened to her. As she avoids the cafeteria so that she doesn't have to see him, or hear him telling his friends how she was easy. She walks the long way to classes to avoid running into him. We're with her as she struggles with whether she should tell anyone, whether she should stand up for herself. And we are with her when she finds her voice and finally stands up for herself, and other girls like her, and decides to *SPEAK LOUDLY*.
This book was very emotional, but it's written so well that you feel like you're living her struggle along with her. I was laughing and crying and screaming in outrage while reading this. This book helps me realize that we all need to speak up when bad things happen, whether for ourselves or for someone else, and help cause a change to be made. We can all do something! This book is wonderful for teens and adults alike, and I hope everyone rushes out to buy a copy ASAP!
Maybe now that I got that out of my system I can write something coherent ;)
The Mockingbirds begins with Alex waking up in a room that is not hers, in a bed that's not hers, completely naked, and beside a guy she
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doesn't remember going home with. As she rushes to gather her clothes and get out of the room he wakes up and informs her that they had sex, twice. As Alex does the walk of shame back to her dorm, wearing the same clothes she wore the night before, she wonders how someone could loose their virginity and not remember it.This is such a powerful book. We are taken through the journey along with Alex as she struggles with what's happened to her. As she avoids the cafeteria so that she doesn't have to see him, or hear him telling his friends how she was easy. She walks the long way to classes to avoid running into him. We're with her as she struggles with whether she should tell anyone, whether she should stand up for herself. And we are with her when she finds her voice and finally stands up for herself, and other girls like her, and decides to *SPEAK LOUDLY*.
This book was very emotional, but it's written so well that you feel like you're living her struggle along with her. I was laughing and crying and screaming in outrage while reading this. This book helps me realize that we all need to speak up when bad things happen, whether for ourselves or for someone else, and help cause a change to be made. We can all do something! This book is wonderful for teens and adults alike, and I hope everyone rushes out to buy a copy ASAP!
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LibraryThing member lawral
Starting the morning after that night, The Mockingbirds is an intense book. The reader, like Alex, starts out not knowing what's going on and, with her, pieces that night together over the course of the entire book. It isn't until almost the end that Alex remembers the entire night, or as much as
Alex's big conflict for most of the book is accepting what happened to her as rape:
"I've thought about rape before. I pictured it happening to me. A dark alley, some rough guy I don't know who's five times my size grabs me and forces me to my knees, a knife to my throat. Sometimes I'd picture it happening in my house while everyone was asleep. He'd come in through my window and hover above me. I'd be startled awake, pinned down in my own bed, everything I know that's right in the world ripped out of my chest.
That is rape.
I know rape is something else too. It's just I always thought of it in a very specific way -- with a very specific kind of attacker -- not in a way I'd have to defend, not in a way where I'd have to preface everything with 'I was drunk, really drunk.'" p.103*
She has loads and loads of guilt about being drunk enough to be taken to the room of a guy she didn't know. If she can't remember getting to his room or even large chunks of the party before hand, maybe she's also simply not remembering that she wanted to have and enjoyed having sex with him. While she knows this isn't true, the dirty and used feeling won't let her actually think that, she knows she has to prove that she wasn't "asking for it," something no sexual assault victim should ever have to do. It's bad enough hearing other people recount her drunken exploits of that night in front of the Mockingbirds while she's building her case; she could never explain her drinking and other bad decisions to the cops, her parents, or the administration of Themis Academy. It takes her a really long time to really believe that though she made bad decisions, being raped was never her fault, but that point is eventually made very clear for Alex (and the reader) by her friends, the Themis Academy Honor Code, and during her trial.
Still, this doesn't read like a problem novel. Of course Alex is consumed with what happened to her and its aftermath, and that takes up a lot of the book. But this is also about the Mockingbirds themselves, their founding, the checks and balances in their system, and ultimately their power over the student body. It's very cloak and dagger, but on the side of truth and justice! Through her interactions with the Mockingbirds, Alex gains confidence and strength. She also makes plenty of new friends and figures out just how much all of her old friends are willing to go to bat for her. She even gets a bit of romance. And, of course, this is all set at a boarding school for the extremely gifted. This book would be just as good and just as compelling (though not nearly as heart-wrenching) if Alex were pressing charges for bullying or some other offense rather than date rape. The story is really balanced in that way. Because The Mockingbirds is this year's big book about date rape, one might assume that it should be reserved for older young adults, but all the other elements in the book make it, I think, accessible to all high schoolers, not just the about-to-go-college ones. And, as the book points out when other girls start telling Alex their own stories, it's not as though date rape is something that only happens to high school upperclasswomen or older.
The book closes with an author's note where Whitney talks about her own experiences with both date rape and a student-run justice system. Resources for victims of sexual assault as well as organizations promoting the empowerment of young women are also provided.
Book source: ARC provided by the publisher.
*Quotes and page numbers were taken from an uncorrected proof and my not match the published copy.
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she's ever going to, and by then she's come to terms with a lot of it and had some time to heal. It's still horrible, clearly, but presenting the rape in that way, in short pieces over the course of the book, takes away the shock and some of the horror of it. It's not graphic, though it may still be triggering for some people.Alex's big conflict for most of the book is accepting what happened to her as rape:
"I've thought about rape before. I pictured it happening to me. A dark alley, some rough guy I don't know who's five times my size grabs me and forces me to my knees, a knife to my throat. Sometimes I'd picture it happening in my house while everyone was asleep. He'd come in through my window and hover above me. I'd be startled awake, pinned down in my own bed, everything I know that's right in the world ripped out of my chest.
That is rape.
I know rape is something else too. It's just I always thought of it in a very specific way -- with a very specific kind of attacker -- not in a way I'd have to defend, not in a way where I'd have to preface everything with 'I was drunk, really drunk.'" p.103*
She has loads and loads of guilt about being drunk enough to be taken to the room of a guy she didn't know. If she can't remember getting to his room or even large chunks of the party before hand, maybe she's also simply not remembering that she wanted to have and enjoyed having sex with him. While she knows this isn't true, the dirty and used feeling won't let her actually think that, she knows she has to prove that she wasn't "asking for it," something no sexual assault victim should ever have to do. It's bad enough hearing other people recount her drunken exploits of that night in front of the Mockingbirds while she's building her case; she could never explain her drinking and other bad decisions to the cops, her parents, or the administration of Themis Academy. It takes her a really long time to really believe that though she made bad decisions, being raped was never her fault, but that point is eventually made very clear for Alex (and the reader) by her friends, the Themis Academy Honor Code, and during her trial.
Still, this doesn't read like a problem novel. Of course Alex is consumed with what happened to her and its aftermath, and that takes up a lot of the book. But this is also about the Mockingbirds themselves, their founding, the checks and balances in their system, and ultimately their power over the student body. It's very cloak and dagger, but on the side of truth and justice! Through her interactions with the Mockingbirds, Alex gains confidence and strength. She also makes plenty of new friends and figures out just how much all of her old friends are willing to go to bat for her. She even gets a bit of romance. And, of course, this is all set at a boarding school for the extremely gifted. This book would be just as good and just as compelling (though not nearly as heart-wrenching) if Alex were pressing charges for bullying or some other offense rather than date rape. The story is really balanced in that way. Because The Mockingbirds is this year's big book about date rape, one might assume that it should be reserved for older young adults, but all the other elements in the book make it, I think, accessible to all high schoolers, not just the about-to-go-college ones. And, as the book points out when other girls start telling Alex their own stories, it's not as though date rape is something that only happens to high school upperclasswomen or older.
The book closes with an author's note where Whitney talks about her own experiences with both date rape and a student-run justice system. Resources for victims of sexual assault as well as organizations promoting the empowerment of young women are also provided.
Book source: ARC provided by the publisher.
*Quotes and page numbers were taken from an uncorrected proof and my not match the published copy.
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LibraryThing member Booklady123
From the back of the book:
Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.
Themis Academy is a quite boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way – the Themis way. So when Alex is
Just as Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak has served as a voice for those who could not or who felt they could not speak for themselves, I believe The Mockingbirds will serve as an encouragement for victims of sexual assault to speak up and stand up for themselves.
Whitney handles a tough topic with clarity, sensitivity and grace. She takes the reader through Alex’s story with excellent pacing. Readers’ experience Alex’s range of emotions (shame, denial, self incrimination, fear and finally the strong desire to reclaim herself) right along with her. The fact that the story has a basis in something that happened to her in college gives the story a feeling of reality .
I truly enjoyed this book. I found the writing to be excellent. I believe it is a book that high school girls should read. I did have one problem with the story. And it is not so much a problem with the writing as it is with my having to admit that adults, even those in education are not perfect. I was very bothered the fact that the students at Themis did not feel that could count on any of the adults when bad things happened. In many young adult novels, adults often come across as rather dumb and clueless, sometimes heartless as well. As an educator I care very much about my students and their well-being. I would not leave the justice to be meted out by a group of students. And yet again, I’m not so blind that I don’t realize that there are adults, even educators, who are perhaps clueless and do not give the care and attention they should be giving to their students. Often bad things happen because those who are in a position of trust are blind or turn a blind eye. It is some comfort that Alex does eventually find an adult she trusts enough to confide in.
I believe this is an important read for high school and college students of both genders.
Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.
Themis Academy is a quite boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way – the Themis way. So when Alex is
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date-raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds – a secret society of student s dedicated to righting the wrongs of the student body.Just as Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak has served as a voice for those who could not or who felt they could not speak for themselves, I believe The Mockingbirds will serve as an encouragement for victims of sexual assault to speak up and stand up for themselves.
Whitney handles a tough topic with clarity, sensitivity and grace. She takes the reader through Alex’s story with excellent pacing. Readers’ experience Alex’s range of emotions (shame, denial, self incrimination, fear and finally the strong desire to reclaim herself) right along with her. The fact that the story has a basis in something that happened to her in college gives the story a feeling of reality .
I truly enjoyed this book. I found the writing to be excellent. I believe it is a book that high school girls should read. I did have one problem with the story. And it is not so much a problem with the writing as it is with my having to admit that adults, even those in education are not perfect. I was very bothered the fact that the students at Themis did not feel that could count on any of the adults when bad things happened. In many young adult novels, adults often come across as rather dumb and clueless, sometimes heartless as well. As an educator I care very much about my students and their well-being. I would not leave the justice to be meted out by a group of students. And yet again, I’m not so blind that I don’t realize that there are adults, even educators, who are perhaps clueless and do not give the care and attention they should be giving to their students. Often bad things happen because those who are in a position of trust are blind or turn a blind eye. It is some comfort that Alex does eventually find an adult she trusts enough to confide in.
I believe this is an important read for high school and college students of both genders.
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LibraryThing member Bellydancer
One concert, one drink too many, and one boy. When Alex is date raped during her junior year at Themis Academy, she has two choices: she can stay silent and cope on her own, or she can enlist the help of the Mockingbirds; secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow
Out of a horrific experience come new friendships, love and justice.
Well written, hard hitting and timely this novel will help many a teenage girl who has been date-raped or know someone who has. A well thought out plot is matched with strong characters and vivid description. Highly recommended.
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students. But taking up the offer of their help could have some consequences that Alex is not prepared for. But on the other hand she doesn’t want to do this on her own. Out of a horrific experience come new friendships, love and justice.
Well written, hard hitting and timely this novel will help many a teenage girl who has been date-raped or know someone who has. A well thought out plot is matched with strong characters and vivid description. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member molliekay
The Mockingbirds is an extremely moving story about a strong girl dealing with the aftermath of date rape. The secret society, called The Mockingbirds, helps her seek justice for what happened, as the administration at her progressive private school is known to turn a blind eye to the actions of
My only complaint with how the story was handled was the treatment of adults. Would adults actually act that way? What high school would believe that its students were above the law and too engrossed in their studies to perpetrate crimes? Any girl looking for answers in this book might get the wrong impression and not trust adults, instead try to handle the situation by herself. The one adult who doe stand up for Alex appears too late and doesn't do enough to actually make a difference.
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its students.My only complaint with how the story was handled was the treatment of adults. Would adults actually act that way? What high school would believe that its students were above the law and too engrossed in their studies to perpetrate crimes? Any girl looking for answers in this book might get the wrong impression and not trust adults, instead try to handle the situation by herself. The one adult who doe stand up for Alex appears too late and doesn't do enough to actually make a difference.
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LibraryThing member lisagibson
I had heard so many wonderful things about this book. I was hopeful that I would like it as much as I'd heard everyone else did. I was NOT disappointed. I liked this book. Alex's confusion over doing the right thing and her fear that she had somehow brought all of it upon herself was realistic. Her
The concept of the Mockingbirds was thought provoking for me. I think it was very well thought out and an interesting concept. It was nice to see that students supported one another and didn't turn a blind eye to the seemly or illegal actions of some of their fellow students. Instead of it being chaos there was a well-ordered system to ensure the offenders take responsibility for their actions.
I think too often today, parents don't have those tough talks with their boys about what constitutes consent and what does not. I know that I have begun that process, due in part to this book. I want to raise a boy more like Martin and less like Carter.
I was touched that Ms. Whitney shares her own story of date rape in the back of the book. I also thought it was awesome that she shared some links to resources for assistance for young women. There was minimal swearing, some alcohol, but no drugs in this book. I definitely recommend picking this one up to read. I'm giving it four gentle kisses!
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friend's devotion to her was heartwarming. The concept of the Mockingbirds was thought provoking for me. I think it was very well thought out and an interesting concept. It was nice to see that students supported one another and didn't turn a blind eye to the seemly or illegal actions of some of their fellow students. Instead of it being chaos there was a well-ordered system to ensure the offenders take responsibility for their actions.
I think too often today, parents don't have those tough talks with their boys about what constitutes consent and what does not. I know that I have begun that process, due in part to this book. I want to raise a boy more like Martin and less like Carter.
I was touched that Ms. Whitney shares her own story of date rape in the back of the book. I also thought it was awesome that she shared some links to resources for assistance for young women. There was minimal swearing, some alcohol, but no drugs in this book. I definitely recommend picking this one up to read. I'm giving it four gentle kisses!
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LibraryThing member ericajsc
Although Whitney’s writing was amazing and her handling of the subject matter was exceptional, I still found this to be difficult to read. Because of this, writing this review has also been quite the task for me. It is one of those books that is profound in the sense that it allows people to view
What I think is great about Alex’s story is that she doubts herself and second guesses her decisions throughout the story. By that I don’t mean I think it’s great that she feels the need for doubt, but that it is a realistic portrayal of someone in that situation. Even as she pursues action through the Mockingbirds (I don’t think it’s really a spoiler to say that she does that, seeing as that’s the title of the book and all), she questions whether she has the right to blame Carter for his actions when she may have been the one to blame. It is unfortunate but true that so many victims of sexual assault feel the need to blame themselves, and Alex is not immune to that.
Most of Alex’s memories of that night are murky at best, but bits and pieces come back to her as the semester progresses and her accusations against Carter are brought to the Mockingbirds. As more memories return she begins to understand the uncharacteristic choices she made that brought her and Carter together. These memories not only help her piece together that night, they also help her to move beyond it.
Bear with me as I dive into some personal territory: my freshman year of college, my roommate was raped by an acquaintance in a scenario eerily similar to Alex’s. She and the boy were part of an organization that was disinclined to believe her story, especially given the fact that she was drinking that night. She went to the police to press charges against him, but the idea of court and all that she would face felt too daunting to her, so she changed her mind only to have the police call her a flighty teenager. We were not close, not like Alex and her roommates, and in all honesty I didn’t know what, if anything, I could do to help her. So I listened to her story, asked questions when she seemed like she wanted to talk about it and was silent when she seemed like she didn’t (it was usually a case of the latter), and never questioned it or complained when she left our TV on all night because the dark silence caused her anxiety. Reading The Mockingbirds brought all of those memories back to me, but it also let me get a glimpse of those things that she could never tell me. For that I am grateful.
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events from a perspective that (thankfully) a lot will never get firsthand.What I think is great about Alex’s story is that she doubts herself and second guesses her decisions throughout the story. By that I don’t mean I think it’s great that she feels the need for doubt, but that it is a realistic portrayal of someone in that situation. Even as she pursues action through the Mockingbirds (I don’t think it’s really a spoiler to say that she does that, seeing as that’s the title of the book and all), she questions whether she has the right to blame Carter for his actions when she may have been the one to blame. It is unfortunate but true that so many victims of sexual assault feel the need to blame themselves, and Alex is not immune to that.
Most of Alex’s memories of that night are murky at best, but bits and pieces come back to her as the semester progresses and her accusations against Carter are brought to the Mockingbirds. As more memories return she begins to understand the uncharacteristic choices she made that brought her and Carter together. These memories not only help her piece together that night, they also help her to move beyond it.
Bear with me as I dive into some personal territory: my freshman year of college, my roommate was raped by an acquaintance in a scenario eerily similar to Alex’s. She and the boy were part of an organization that was disinclined to believe her story, especially given the fact that she was drinking that night. She went to the police to press charges against him, but the idea of court and all that she would face felt too daunting to her, so she changed her mind only to have the police call her a flighty teenager. We were not close, not like Alex and her roommates, and in all honesty I didn’t know what, if anything, I could do to help her. So I listened to her story, asked questions when she seemed like she wanted to talk about it and was silent when she seemed like she didn’t (it was usually a case of the latter), and never questioned it or complained when she left our TV on all night because the dark silence caused her anxiety. Reading The Mockingbirds brought all of those memories back to me, but it also let me get a glimpse of those things that she could never tell me. For that I am grateful.
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LibraryThing member krystal_osmond
My Review: The Mockingbirds is on my Contemps Reading Challenge, so that is why I chose to read it. Plus, I've read mixed reviews, and as always I like to make my own call see and see what I think of it. I'll be honest, I've been struggling a little with writing this review. Why? Because there was
But getting to terms with the oblivious teachers and students who can be lawyers and try cases in high school (and have students obey trial rules and consequences), the rest of the book was okay.
Alex, the main character is a strong girl and I like her a lot because of that reason. She has to deal with the very unfortunate mishap of being a victim of date-rape (without ANY adult support), but after coming to terms with it, she is an even stronger female character who I think many of us can gain strength from. She shows us that speaking out can be tough, but in the end, it can be worth it.
Alex was the only character that really stuck out and made an impression. The writing in The Mockingbirds was well done, and it was fairly obvious from early on that this book was drawn from Daisy Whitneys own personal experience. I believe that Daisy was so courageous to be able to write about that experience, I'm sure it couldn't have been easy. But I cannot get past the the lack of adult acknowledgment and support to enjoy this book as much as I was hoping.
Needless to say, I'm glad that I only borrowed this book from the library. I don't imagine I'll re-read this any time in the near future. Though I do plan to keep an eye out for more novels from Whitney, as I like her writing style, and I truly just think that this novel was not my cup of tea. BUT - I do think that some will enjoy this book, and I encourage them to pick it up and read.
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a huge part of this book that I didn't quite enjoy. Because of that, I've had trouble writing my reasoning. For those of you who haven't read The Mockingbirds, it's about a young girl, Alex who is in high school. She is out one night, gets drunk, and gets date-raped. She doesn't remember anything at first, but things slowly keep coming back to her. Because of this, she turns to an almost secretive group, The Mockingbirds, at her school. The Mockingbirds are basically the school police, the school court, and justice system, since the teachers pretend the students are perfect, and do not need to enforce rules or anything of that nature. The part of the book that I didn't enjoy and couldn't wrap my head around was the whole idea of Themis Academy (the school in which Alex attends) not having any clue as to what is going on at the school. And the students are aware of this, hence the beginning of The Mockingbirds. For some reason, I have a very hard time imagining this whole situation. I think that in real life, teachers are aware of things happening (whether they want to be or not). I don't know - maybe it's just me, but I remember being in high school and thinking that they teachers knew too much, and I mean, they would be aware of an 'undercover' / 'underground' court system happening in their school.But getting to terms with the oblivious teachers and students who can be lawyers and try cases in high school (and have students obey trial rules and consequences), the rest of the book was okay.
Alex, the main character is a strong girl and I like her a lot because of that reason. She has to deal with the very unfortunate mishap of being a victim of date-rape (without ANY adult support), but after coming to terms with it, she is an even stronger female character who I think many of us can gain strength from. She shows us that speaking out can be tough, but in the end, it can be worth it.
Alex was the only character that really stuck out and made an impression. The writing in The Mockingbirds was well done, and it was fairly obvious from early on that this book was drawn from Daisy Whitneys own personal experience. I believe that Daisy was so courageous to be able to write about that experience, I'm sure it couldn't have been easy. But I cannot get past the the lack of adult acknowledgment and support to enjoy this book as much as I was hoping.
Needless to say, I'm glad that I only borrowed this book from the library. I don't imagine I'll re-read this any time in the near future. Though I do plan to keep an eye out for more novels from Whitney, as I like her writing style, and I truly just think that this novel was not my cup of tea. BUT - I do think that some will enjoy this book, and I encourage them to pick it up and read.
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LibraryThing member quilted_kat
I had a difficult time reading the Mockingbirds. I loved the writing style; Whitney’s descriptions of Liszt and Beethoven and her descriptions of music sucked me in and made me want to go to the library for some classical music. But I disliked the premise of the story. The punishment for the
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crime of date rape wasn’t nearly severe enough. You rape a girl, and you are forced to give up playing water polo? None of the students even considered going to an adult for help. In such a serious situation the police should have been called, the victim should have been checked out by a doctor, and she should have been given access to counseling services. She was a minor! The book encourages students to take serious matters in their own hands without even attempting to go through established channels first. Show Less
LibraryThing member dasuzuki
This book was a engrossing read that took on a touchy subject of date rape. I loved the characters and each had such a distinctive voice and complemented each other so well. One night Alex drinks too much and wakes up to find herself in bed with little memory of what happened the night before. At
As the story progresses we slowly get glimpses of what happened that night as Alex starts to remember bits and pieces. The process the Mockingbirds has in place to "try" cases like this were amazing and although there was a system of checks and balances in place I'm not sure how comfortable I would be with students judging other students. I understand that the Themis faculty and administration was clueless and the purpose of the Mockingbirds is positive but you have to wonder one day if their actions will one day may go too far.
Still I loved the message delivered in this book and thought overall it was a wonderful read.
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first she blames herself until her roommate points out that since she was in no position to give consent to have sex she was date raped. Then she has to make a decision, does she go to the police, stay silent or turn to the Mockingbirds for help. Alex's turmoil was so real that you are horrified by what happened to her as she goes through the stages of blaming herself, feeling ashamed, anger and then becoming a voice for others who were in her position but were too afraid to speak up.As the story progresses we slowly get glimpses of what happened that night as Alex starts to remember bits and pieces. The process the Mockingbirds has in place to "try" cases like this were amazing and although there was a system of checks and balances in place I'm not sure how comfortable I would be with students judging other students. I understand that the Themis faculty and administration was clueless and the purpose of the Mockingbirds is positive but you have to wonder one day if their actions will one day may go too far.
Still I loved the message delivered in this book and thought overall it was a wonderful read.
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LibraryThing member callmecayce
This is mostly a placeholder review because I really don't know what I think of this novel. On the surface, I liked it, but there were some issues. Books that treat the victims of rape with respect are few and far between, and I think that's something Mockingbirds got right. I think there were
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other things they didn't get as right, but I'm not sure it really matters. I just need more time to mull over it. I will say that it is a well written page turner and I did like what happened in the end, even if I didn't quite agree about the process. But then again, I've always been good at suspending my disbelief when it comes to fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member ShellyPYA
Alex wakes up the morning after a party and realizes she may have been rapes. She turns to the Mockingbirds for help, a secret society that delivers justice since the prep school administrators seem to think the school is perfect. Alex slowly gains the courage to face her attacker and take her life
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LibraryThing member mrsderaps
The Mockingbirds are a sort of vigilante group of students who take the "law" into their own hands. They are an integral part of student life a a small prep school called Themis Academy. Students who feel that they have been wronged by other classmates come to the Mockingbirds to find a solution.
The book starts with the main character, Alex, waking up in an unfamiliar room. Her mouth is pasty and dry and she is naked. Next to her is a boy that she does not recognize. She hastily throws on her clothes and leaves the room, but not before she sees two used condoms on the boy's floor. Before she can leave, he wakes up a little and asks if she'd like to "go" again.
The night before, Alex had been a very drunk virgin. She doesn't automatically feel that she has been raped, but as she talks with friends and as memories about that night come back to her, she knows that she was a victim of date rape. And she wants to fight back. Enter the Mockingbirds.
My only concern about The Mockingbirds is the lack of police or adult contact in helping to prosecute the rape. I am not one who feels that all YA should have a responsible and reliable adult ready to solve problems and make the world right again, but I think that there's a danger in promoting the idea that rape victims should have their friends put their rapist on "trial". The main character does eventually talk to an adult, and that made me breathe easier.
Otherwise, The Mockingbirds is a great read.
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According to the characters in this book, the adults on campus are more interested in thinking that the student body are perfect. When problems are brought to their attention, they are swept away and not really addressed.The book starts with the main character, Alex, waking up in an unfamiliar room. Her mouth is pasty and dry and she is naked. Next to her is a boy that she does not recognize. She hastily throws on her clothes and leaves the room, but not before she sees two used condoms on the boy's floor. Before she can leave, he wakes up a little and asks if she'd like to "go" again.
The night before, Alex had been a very drunk virgin. She doesn't automatically feel that she has been raped, but as she talks with friends and as memories about that night come back to her, she knows that she was a victim of date rape. And she wants to fight back. Enter the Mockingbirds.
My only concern about The Mockingbirds is the lack of police or adult contact in helping to prosecute the rape. I am not one who feels that all YA should have a responsible and reliable adult ready to solve problems and make the world right again, but I think that there's a danger in promoting the idea that rape victims should have their friends put their rapist on "trial". The main character does eventually talk to an adult, and that made me breathe easier.
Otherwise, The Mockingbirds is a great read.
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LibraryThing member lilibrarian
When Alex wakes up naked in a strange boy's bed, she knows she was date-raped. But her private school, where all students are talented and bright, has no procedure for filing a complaint. The students have formed their own group, the Mockingbirds, to try and punish those they decide have harmed
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other students. Show Less
LibraryThing member C.Ibarra
Alex wakes up in a strange bed with very little recollection from the night before. She is also naked and next to a boy she can’t remember. While attempting to dress and leave before he wakes, she notices two condom wrappers in the trash. The boy wastes no time in trashing Alex’s reputation. As
I have to rave about this book. I was completely engrossed from start to finish. The emotional aftermath that Alex had to deal with brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. It was a powerful read that touches on a very sensitive topic. The author, Daisy Whitney, has firsthand knowledge when it comes to the horrors of date rape. I applaud her for writing this book, and not being afraid to admit she was a victim of this loathsome crime. It features excellent characters, and a rapidly moving plot. I couldn’t put this one down. This is a book I’d recommend to teens and adults who are dating or even thinking about dating.
This is Daisy Whitney’s debut novel. I hope to have the opportunity to read more books from this very talented author.
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the pieces from the evening come back to her ,she realizes it is very likely she was date raped. She starts to avoid the cafeteria, and takes the long way to class in order to avoid coming face to face with the boy who raped her. Encouraged by her friends and older sister, she seeks out the assistance of The Mockingbirds. The Mockingbirds are a group of students that help to right the wrongs the staff of Themis Academy choose to ignore. They agree to help not only prove what happened that night, but also help Alex cope with the anxiety she experiences when facing her peers.I have to rave about this book. I was completely engrossed from start to finish. The emotional aftermath that Alex had to deal with brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. It was a powerful read that touches on a very sensitive topic. The author, Daisy Whitney, has firsthand knowledge when it comes to the horrors of date rape. I applaud her for writing this book, and not being afraid to admit she was a victim of this loathsome crime. It features excellent characters, and a rapidly moving plot. I couldn’t put this one down. This is a book I’d recommend to teens and adults who are dating or even thinking about dating.
This is Daisy Whitney’s debut novel. I hope to have the opportunity to read more books from this very talented author.
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LibraryThing member dsolter
I enjoyed reading THE MOCKINGBIRDS by Daisy Whitney. Date rape is an important issue that should be addressed in all schools, especially at colleges. This book does a fantastic job not only exploring the affects of rape, but also shows how young women can take back control of their lives.
I loved
I loved
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how the author handled the actual rape scenes. They came in small bits and were not overly graphic, which would be too easy to do by a lessor author going for maximum impact. The sexual content was handled just right I thought. Show Less
Awards
Sequoyah Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2013)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2013)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2011)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Teens (Fiction — 2010)
Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 (Selection — 2012)
Original publication date
2010-11-02
Physical description
352 p.; 5.75 inches
ISBN
0316090530 / 9780316090537