The Protected

Starred review from September 4, 2017
High school has been a nightmare for 15-year-old Hannah McCann: awkward and vulnerable, she’s become the target of cruel taunts and pranks. Hannah has also lost her best friend to a group of popular girls, and she receives little support from her social-climbing older sister, Katie, who thinks Hannah needs to stop taking “everything so seriously.” Instead of following her sister’s advice, Hannah withdraws. When Katie is killed in a car accident, and the teasing at school abruptly stops, Hannah retreats even further, overwhelmed by a combination of relief and sorrow. In so doing, she almost misses the opportunity to find a true friend in new student Josh, who is determined to draw her out into the world. In this frank tale of a teenager’s complicated feelings and emotional defenses, Australian author Zorn shows the devastating effects of bullying while affectingly tracing Hannah’s spiritual journey, coming to terms with truths she doesn’t want to face and learning how to trust. Although much of the novel is tinged with sadness, there are meaningful flickers of hope as Hannah gains courage and strength. Ages 14–up.