Protected

Gr 9 Up—As the awkward and unpopular younger sister, Hannah lives in her older sister's shadow and faces relentless bullying from the students in her high school. While Hannah endures verbal and physical abuse, property theft and destruction, and online attempts to slander and demean her character, her older sister Katie ignores the bullying, and at times even blames Hannah for the harassment. Suddenly, the torture ends. When Hannah returns to school after Katie's death, her former bullies, who are also Katie's friends, not only leave Hannah alone but attempt to befriend her. At home, Hannah's mother hasn't left the house in almost a year and her father struggles with emotional and physical pain resulting from the car accident that took Katie's life. Alone, invisible and grieving, Hannah's feelings of betrayal and guilt are noticed by her school counselor who, unlike her other therapists, uses honesty and humor to help Hannah find her voice. At the same time, a new friend, Josh Chamberlain, encourages Hannah to see herself for who she really is; an interesting, thoughtful and beautiful young woman. The plot moves along at a compulsively readable pace. Teens will suffer with Hannah as she is cruelly harassed and feels helpless to stop it. They will cry with her when she loses her best friend, her identity and then her sister. And they will experience her relief as she rediscovers friendship and confidence in herself.