#MeToo and You: Everything You Need to Know about Consent, Boundaries, and More

by Halley Bondy, Timothy Corbett (Illustrator)

Overview

The #MeToo movement has changed the way many people view the world, but how well do tweens understand it? Middle-grade readers are ready to learn about consent, harassment, and abuse, as well as healthy boundaries in all their relationships.

#MeToo and You includes essential terminology, from consent to assault, from just plain yes to just plain no. Author Halley Bondy explores the nuances of emotions, comfort, and discomfort in sexually charged and emotionally abusive situations. Detailed scenarios, both real and hypothetical, provide valuable examples of what's acceptable and what is not, along with tools to help everyone treat others appropriately and to stand up for themselves and their peers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728411705
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/02/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	200
File size:	10 MB
Age Range:	11 - 12 Years

About the Author

Halley Bondy is a professional freelance writer, journalist, editor, producer, and mom based in Brooklyn. Her articles have appeared in NBC News, The Balance, Contently, Digital Trends, Bustle, Romper, The Outline, MTV, and more. She has written six books for Zest, including #MeToo and You: Everything You Need to Know about Consent, Boundaries, and More and Speak Up: A Guide to Having a Say and Speaking Your Mind.
Timothy Corbett is an artist, designer, and manufacturing specialist. His work includes delicate ink and gouache drawings, a line of fine hand tools for woodworkers, and large-scale collaborative sculptures and installations. These have appeared in galleries and performances throughout New York, and in Red Hook, Brooklyn, where he maintains a personal studio. Tim is a proud alum of the School of Art at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, and the A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Halley, and his daughter, Robin.

Table of Contents

Introduction 5

Chapter 1 The Basics: Relationships, Power, Consent, and Boundaries 11

Chapter 2 Definitions (Explicit) 37

Chapter 3 22 Myths About Sexual Abuse That You Should Forget 71

Chapter 4 Asking for Help 95

Chapter 5 Being An Ally 137

Chapter 6 Taking Action 161

Conclusion 189

Additional Resources 191

Index 197

Editorial Reviews

"Chapters work together to offer tips on asking for help, being an ally, and taking action against sexual abuse. . . . Bondy presents real and fictional stories that expand concepts, and she makes sure to include LGBTQ+ victims in her discussions."—Booklist

From the Publisher

01/01/2021

Gr 6–8—Tweens and young teens learn about healthy relationships, consent, boundaries, red flags, and more in this thorough, age-appropriate book on breaking the silence around sexual abuse and harassment. Chapters cover power dynamics, definitions, myths, asking for help, being an ally, and taking action to raise awareness. The text, which is inclusive of all sexualities and genders, describes how to recognize abusive behaviors and how to avoid committing them. It also examines why people may have difficulty asking for help and why some may not pursue support. Subsequent chapters break down how to seek out help, what to expect and what you may be asked, how court proceedings may work, restraining orders, counseling, why some adults don't offer support, and the consequences of failed justice. Sidebars of scenarios, both real and fictitious, and stories from people who experienced abuse are incorporated throughout. The discussion of relationships and consent isn't limited to a romantic context. Examples range from not sexual or violent to extremely graphic and deeply unsettling. In "Kaye's Story," featured in chapter two, readers are warned that the story is not only "true" but "very disturbing." The color illustrations of generic posed mannequins (like wooden artist's models) detract from the personal tone and approach. This dense, intense read never sugarcoats any of the information. Repeated content warnings remind readers to only read what they can handle. Resources such as hotlines and nonprofits are listed throughout; many more are detailed in the back matter. VERDICT A recommended resource to jump-start difficult conversations.—Amanda MacGregor, Parkview Elem. Sch., Rosemount, MN

School Library Journal

2020-11-24
A guide for recognizing, reporting, and combating sexual abuse and sexual harassment for those who have experienced it and those who wish to offer support.

After an introduction that provides the history of the #MeToo movement, the first chapter covers the basics of relationships, power, consent, and boundaries. It is a good starting point for readers who are unsure if they are ready for the explicit content contained in subsequent chapters; each chapter with difficult material opens with a warning about potential triggers. Chapter 2 provides definitions and examples of sexual abuse and harassment; a minor quibble is that the information is not presented in alphabetical or any other discernible order. Chapter 3 explores myths about sexual abuse. Chapter 4 focuses on how to ask for help, noting that it is not easy nor is justice always served. In Chapter 5, allies learn how to help individuals while Chapter 6 offers ideas for advocacy. The book includes stories that bring the topics to life; each is clearly marked as being fiction, based on an actual story, or true. The tone of the book is serious, empowering, and reassuring, with accessible, easy-to-read prose. The colorful design that includes non–gender specific illustrations featuring artists’ mannequins adds visual appeal to a somber subject. Bondy is gender-inclusive in her language and information.

Real talk about sexual abuse and harassment that neither sugarcoats nor catastrophizes. (resources, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews