Leslie's Journal. Rev. ed.

Deborah Dowson is a Canaadian children’s librarian in North Wales,
Pennsylvania.

Since Leslie’s parents separated last year she has been “acting out”: skipping school, smoking and drinking, dressing provocatively, and generally shocking everyone with her language and behaviour. Even her best friend is pulling away from her. When a cute senior starts to pay attention to her she is eager to enter into a relationship with him, no matter the cost. She justifies his abusive behaviour and continues to see him even though the abuse is demeaning and continues to escalate. When she finally tries to break it off, she learns that her boyfriend has sexually abused several young women and he continues to harass and threaten her. When the police become involved she finds the strength to share her story and fight for justice.

This highly acclaimed work was originally published in 2000 and has been updated to include current technology and the ways in which it can be used in harassment, including cyber bullying and sharing of sexual photographs. Leslie’s Journal offers a warning, and also an insight into the complex nature of abuse and the many facets, both personal and societal that contribute to it. Leslie’s story is agonizingly real as her character is drawn with painful honesty, both in her harsh speech and angry attitude as well as her heartbreaking loneliness, fear, and insecurity. The story is edgy and gripping and contains a valuable message for mature teen readers. Highly recommended.