Until Today

Gr 7 Up—Kat has kept a secret since she was eight years old: she is a victim of sexual abuse. She doesn't want to risk disrupting her family yet she wants to protect her young sister from a trusted family friend. Now in high school, she has been convinced that no one would believe the things she has to say about what has been happening to her, so instead she isolates herself from her family and friends, causing relationships to fall apart. In this first-person narrative, readers gain insight into the cause of Kat's pain and anguish as she writes in her diary and interacts with those around her. When she meets a girl who has suffered physical abuse at the hospital where she is a volunteer, Kat encourages her to speak out and realizes that she, too, should speak up. When Kat's journal disappears, she knows that someone will learn the truth. She finds the courage to confide in her longtime friend, Scott, and discovers that he is supportive and protective. The truth is revealed, allowing Kat to realize the love and care she has from her family once she tells them. This is a quick read that deals with a sensitive issue in a realistic way.—Denise Moore, O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD