Listen to the Girls

In this potent, socially attuned novel from Giles (Not an Easy Win), dreams of a carefree summer vacation seem out of reach when a Black middle schooler discovers that her teacher has a history of sexual harassment complaints. North Carolina seventh grader Calla Howard is excited to celebrate the long break ahead. But the mood shifts when her beloved teacher Mr. Chavis is abruptly removed from school grounds following reports from local YouTuber EboniiNews, who alleges that the teacher engaged in inappropriate conduct with students at his previous school. Though Calla struggles to reconcile the accusations with the person she admired, she also feels unsettled by community members’ assumptions that the claims are false. When EboniiNews is forced to remove their post about Mr. Chavis, Calla and her friends create an anonymous social media account to amplify the voices of his victims and encourage others to speak out. As Calla learns more about the survivors’ experiences, she begins comparing their stories with her own memories. Giles approaches a difficult subject with care, utilizing clear, compassionate language to help readers understand how manipulation by trusted adults can occur and how speaking out can begin the process of reclaiming agency. The result is a thoughtful, timely exploration of courage and the power of collective voices. Ages 10–up. Agent: Elizabeth Bewley, Sterling Lord Literistic. (May)