June 1, 2020
When town grandee and notorious lech Perry Ackerman again harasses Libby at the restaurant where she works and she upends a pitcher of sangria over him (resulting in a viral video and attendant #MeToo blowback), it’s because his behavior is the last in a long series of straws. She’s recently had an encounter with a carefree, privileged coworker that turned into nonconsensual sex, and she’s been in a long-term relationship that saw her coerced into “mercy shags.” She really needs her job, too, because her controlling, erratic father has informed her that her parents have spent her college fund and that she must move out after graduation so he can turn her room into an Airbnb. A school assembly about sex and consent gives Libby the words to frame and name her experiences and further understand toxic masculinity. Younge-Ullman (Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined) candidly considers rape culture and consent, offering clear examples of what’s not ok. Seeing Libby learn that she can address experiences that make her uncomfortable and begin to ask for what she wants, needs, and deserves is satisfying. Ages 14–up. Agent: Emmanuelle Morgen, Stonesong. (July)■