Johnston, E.K. Exit, Pursued by a Bear. 256p. ebook available. Dutton. Mar. 2016. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781101994580.

Gr 9 Up –Palermo Heights is known for two things. One, its phenomenal cheerleading team, and two, a supposed streak every year that sees one student die and one student get pregnant. As team captain, Hermione Winters is determined to see that tradition broken. Yet after a sexual assault takes place at camp, she is forced to reconcile her goals with her new reality and decide what course her life will take. Competitive cheerleading provides a unique and compelling backdrop to this take on Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale. There are no caricatures, only well-drawn, strong female protagonists and caring but believably flawed adults. The repercussions that the incident have on her relationships are realistic but occasionally seem to provide a best-case scenario to how people interact with victims of rape. Most notably, the friendship between the main character and her fierce best friend is a constant source of strength and humor. Hermione’s story traces her reactions to a sexual assault in a nuanced fashion that confronts the horror but doesn’t dwell in its shadow. Throughout the book, the setting in a tiny Canadian town and the protagonist’s hyper focus and dedication to her sport lend realism to the text. VERDICT A beautifully written portrait of a young woman facing the unthinkable, this is a must-buy for high school collections.–Erinn Black Salge, Saint Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, NJ