Price Tag: $9.95
Age Range: Young teen and up
Rating:

We were originally going to feature this book in our gift guide, but it deserved a much more attention than the gift guide would have allowed for.

Meeting Lizzy by SarahBeth Carter is a book that addresses the difficult topic of abusive teenage relationships. This book is narrated in part by a teenage boy named Cy who stumbles across the abuse of his neighbor Eliza and who tries hard to help but who is unable to help because Eliza swears him to secrecy. Her abuser is her boyfriend, a popular high school jock. The chapters by Cy alternate with chapters by Eliza which detail her confusion and fear. She doesn’t know how this happened, or why it has become the new normal. She tries to leave her relationship but is bullied back into it by her abuser.

The situation is compounded by the fact that her boyfriend is the son of her father’s boss. When she tries to tell her father about the relationship problems her father cuts her off and seems unsympathetic, causing her to hold her silence longer.

After a particularly bad episode of abuse, keeping things a secret is no longer possible, and Eliza seeks help and finally escapes from the abusive relationship.

This book goes into a great amount of detail that shows that the abuse isn’t only physical. It’s isolation and control. Her boyfriend controls what she wears, who her friends are, who she talks to, and as many other aspects of her life as he is able.

TEEN ABUSE

In a recent article in the New York Times it is reported that a study done by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene showed that dating violence had risen by more than 40 percent since 1999. Many teenagers that are in abusive relationships end up seriously injured or even dead. These teens may be experts at hiding their wounds with makeup and creative clothing choices, and their parents might not even realize that their teen is being abused.

This book is a great way to open a discussion with your daughter about dating and violence, and to make sure she knows what to do if she finds herself in a bad situation. It’s an eye-opener for parents to read, as well.

AGE APPROPRIATE CONTENT

The topic of abuse is a difficult one. Meeting Lizzy discusses the topic of abuse with enough detail to drive the point home without being graphic or offensive. Sexual violence is not discussed, although it is implied that Lizzy’s boyfriend forces her to do more than she is comfortable with.

This book does a great job of discussing the topic without becoming inappropriate. I would be comfortable with a child of mine reading this book from about the age of ten and up.

BOTTOM LINE

If you don’t buy this book for your daughter, buy one that is similar. Simply talking to your daughter cannot have the same impact that this book will have. After she’s read the book, talk to her. Sometimes a simple conversation can save a life.