Exposed by Kimberly Marcus

16 year old Liz’s guilt hangs heavily after her fight with her forever best friend Kate. Liz said some ugly things at their monthly sleepover and went upstairs to bed, leaving Kate alone on the couch. In the morning, Kate had already gone home. Liz has apologized but Kate continues to avoid her. She’s sorry. Isn’t that enough? Then the rumors begin. Liz hears that her college age brother, Mike, and Kate had sex. Did Kate want to? Did Mike force her? Who should she believe?  Her older brother who bought her first camera, emboldened her through scary Halloweens when she was small, the brother she loves or her forever-best, the friend she has cherished since kindergarten. Charges are filed, the trial looms, people talk, her mother won’t. Through it all Liz is caught in the web of opinion and criticism, the most intense often her own.  

“But Most of All

I hate myself

because if I’d kept

my big mouth shut

there would have been no fight

no reason for me to go upstairs

and leave her

alone.”

Written in verse so descriptive even those who hate to read will be mesmerized by this book.

“’It wasn’t a big fight!’ I yell

as guilt spreads its wings like a falcon,

talons clawing at my gut,

digging in”

You will read Exposed in one stretched, aching heartbeat waiting for the resolution. Liz’s voice is true to the difficulty of the situation. How should the trial resolve? What can be hoped for in a situation like this?  Less intense and more approachable than other titles focused on date rape. Exposed views the situation from Liz’s unique third party perspective: neither the victim, nor the accused but close to both. Exposed explores the collateral damage of choices. How disasters in our life can devastate those we love.

Date rape is the focus of other titles you might want to read as well. Chris Lynch's Inexcusable and Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak both approach the date rape topic from a different perspective.   

After the Golden Age by Carrie Vaughn

If The Incredibles was told from Violet’s perspective. Only, she was 25 and had no super powers, it might look like After the Golden Age. Celia has struggled for years to come to terms with her superhero parents. Unfortunately, she feels largely like a failure since she has no super powers of her own. Celia has lived her whole life in the shadow of her fantastical, crime fighting, super power wielding parents. After a particularly shameful incident in high school involving their arch nemesis: the Destructor, Celia went to college, became an accountant and put all of it behind her. Her now quiet day to day life interrupted only by regular kidnapping on the part of local villains who target her knowing her family's reputation. Celia is drawn back into the family business when the Destructor is arrested and faces trial. The Prosecution brings in Celia to examine all of his financial records. Her past relationship with the Destructor, her complicated relationship with her parents, and the very real feeling of being on stage as the whole community watches the embarrassment of her life play out all feel much like high school drama set on a much larger stage. 

You may remember Carrie Vaughn from an earlier post regarding Steel. After the Golden Age, is published as "adult" rather than "young adult" literature. Don't be fooled, you will still love it.  Celia's struggle to be her own person and live a successful life outside the enormous shadow of her parents will ring true. Her struggle to demystify the romantic possibilities with Mark the police chief and Arthur Mentis, the mind reading hero who has always stood steadfast and true to her, will resonate with all ages of readers. After the Golden Age is a little campy, a little tongue in cheek humor, and a lot of opportunity for Celia to spread her wings and become the hero we average, ordinary humans seek to be everyday. Sure to be a hit in the style of YALSA's Alex Awards, After the Golden Age has a little bit of everything: mystery, romance, action and adventure. What really happened in the laboratory all those years ago? How many super heroes lurk in Commerce City? Who really gets to claim Celia's heart: the heartthrob son of the Mayor or the the long time family friend who has championed her all these years? Can you fight crime and save the city with nothing more super than your abilities as a forensic accountant? Read After the Golden Age to find out.   

If you loved either of Carrie Vaughn's books, you may want to check her website out and look for other titles you might enjoy.