I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This

Book cover of I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This

Book description

In this Coretta Scott King Honor Book, 12 year old Marie is African American. She befriends Lena, a white girl, because both have lost their mothers. Lena has a terrifying secret, and Marie must decide if she can help Lena more by keeping her secret--or..

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Why read it?

1 author picked I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Marie Jaskulka

Author

I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This is one of my favorite novels for its subtlety. It's almost like sleight of hand because you aren't sure where to look. The story kind of unfolds all around you. One of the hardest things after a sexual assault is opening up to someone about it, so I am a fan of books that give people a blueprint of how to go about it. There is no single right way to tell someone about abuse and assault, but it helps to have examples.

From Marie's list on YA about overcoming abuse and assault.