Maybe He Just Likes You

July 15, 2019
A seventh grader copes with sexual harassment organized and perpetrated by several boys in her class. Mila's conversational first-person narration makes her experiences immediate and her emotions clear. Confused, frustrated, angry, and scared, Mila feels even worse because she can't count on her usual circle of friends. Zara seems weirdly envious of the boys' attention. Quiet Omi hates confrontation. And Max is busy with new student (and his new crush) Jared. He's also disappointed that Mila won't take his advice to report the harassment. Meanwhile, Mila's divorced mom just lost her job, and looking after her younger sister takes more time and energy than Mila has sometimes. Adding in band practice, karate classes, and making some new friends creates a story that feels almost as overstuffed as the typical middle schooler's life. Dee's smooth writing style and short chapters, however, keep the action moving briskly. The topic--and the boys' actions--is potentially upsetting but never described in a graphic or gratuitous way. Mila's reluctance to involve her mother or other adults feels believable, if unfortunate, and her internal dialogues about what is happening and why ring true. The eventual, hard-won resolution does require adult intervention, and it's satisfying to see the adults own up to their own shortcomings. Mila and Max present white; Omi is Latinx (from the Dominican Republic), and Zara presents black. This timely exploration of a depressingly common experience should begin some useful conversations. (Fiction. 10-14)

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Starred review from August 12, 2019
Dee (Everything I Know About You) draws a clear distinction between flirtation and sexual harassment in this timely, sensitively wrought novel about a seventh-grade girl who receives unwanted attention from a group of classmates. When Mila wears her fuzzy green sweater, some boys demand an unwanted hug, and the basketball players insist on touching it (and her) for good luck. Despite Mila’s protests, unwanted touching continues even after she stops wearing the sweater, but Mila is reticent to add to her divorced mother’s stress after she loses her job. Mila finally shares her discomfort with her friends; Omi smooths things over, Zara thinks the boys are merely flirting, and Max believes that Mila should tell the (male) vice principal she’s being bullied. More confused than ever, she remains silent until karate classes give her the skill set and courage to fight back and speak out. The novel’s all-too-familiar scenario offers a springboard for discussion among middle schoolers about Mila’s experience, as well as her confusion, fear, and reluctance to discuss her situation with authority figures. Easily grasped scenarios and short chapters help make this timely #MeToo story accessible to a wide audience. Ages 9–13. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary Management.

September 1, 2019

Gr 4-8-The first time the group of boys asked for hugs, seventh grader Mila felt uncomfortable. As the requests for hugs and unwanted touches increase in frequency, Mila does not know where to turn. Her mother is going through a tough time herself, and Mila doesn't want to add to her stress. Some of her friends brush off her complaints of unwanted attention as flirting. When Mila finds out that touching her has become a game to the boys and attempts to confront them, they deny action and intent. Her initial efforts to get help from staff at her school are met with heartbreakingly minimized responses. This relatable text provides young readers with a believable example of what sexual harassment may look and feel like at a middle school level. Dee creates a varied cast of characters with evolving perspectives, including adults who were initially dismissive of Mila's harassment. Told from Mila's point of view, the novel is at its best in moments of emotional intensity. Mila's reaction to her situation sometimes surprises even herself, when her initial doubts and fear turn to rage. Mila ultimately finds tools and allies who help resolve her situation, though the conclusion seems speedy compared to the rest of the story. VERDICT An important read with great potential for classroom use. Mila's experience may resonate with young readers, who may need to follow up with a trusted adult.-Juliet Morefield, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2019
Grades 5-8 In her latest, Dee (Everything I Know about You, 2018) tackles sexual harassment and gaslighting in middle school. The subject of the abuse here is seventh-grader Mila, who is targeted by a group of boys first for coerced hugging and then distressing incidents of lewd comments and touching. Whenever she attempts to stick up for herself, Mila is effectively silenced by accusations of overreacting. Readers follow Mila's plight as she navigates both these provocations and the changing economic landscape of her home life. In addition, Dee pens interesting side characters such as Mila's friend Max, who once faced discrimination on account of his sexuality. Important for its relevance and examination of the otherwise little-discussed topic of sexual harassment among younger teens, Maybe He Just Likes You will appeal to middle-grade readers as well as parents and educators seeking to bolster a child's awareness of this rampant problem. In both Mila and Max, readers will find tenacious characters who model bravery in the midst of adversity.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)