Written by Sasha Zatz
Inspired by the #MeToo movement, twenty five voices share their own stories in Janet Gurtler’s latest anthology You Too?. In a powerful push to let young adults know they are not alone, these stories tackle sexual assault in a deeply meaningful way, from a diverse set of voices including both authors we know and ones we don’t quite yet.
Before I begin, of course I need to say that this anthology includes a lot of potential triggers, so please be aware of a content warning for sexual assault, rape, incest, and exploitation. Personally, these topics are quite sensitive but immensely important to me, but I made sure to read this anthology in small amounts and when I was in the right headspace. It was so powerful and meaningful to me and has had a positive impact on my mental health, but make sure you do what is right for you.
You Too? is made up of twenty five essays, each one telling a different story that centres around sexual assault. They each tackle the subject in a different and powerful way, sharing their different and yet so similar experiences and discussing the impact and inference of these experiences. This anthology discusses rape culture, paedophilia, objectification, racism, toxic masculinity, society’s expectations pushed on girls, homophobia, speaking up, and so much more in such an important, timely, and poignant way.
It’s hard to review non-fiction like this except for saying how so very important this anthology is. I hope it reaches the hands of all genders everywhere, especially teenagers, and perhaps it will help some feel less alone, help them to understand, help them to speak up, and to notice and to help themselves. This anthology made me cry with happiness and of sadness and anger too, but I am so so glad to have read it. I hope this book truly succeeds and I am so thankful it exists.
You Too? is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
Will you be picking up You Too? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
A timely and heartfelt collection of essays inspired by the #MeToo movement, edited by acclaimed young adult and middle-grade author Janet Gurtler. Featuring Beth Revis, Mackenzi Lee, Ellen Hopkins, Saundra Mitchell, Jennifer Brown, Cheryl Rainfield and many more.
When #MeToo went viral, Janet Gurtler was among the millions of people who began to reflect on her past experiences. Things she had reluctantly accepted—male classmates groping her at recess, harassment at work—came back to her in startling clarity. She needed teens to know what she had not: that no young person should be subject to sexual assault, or made to feel unsafe, less than or degraded.
You Too? was born out of that need. By turns thoughtful and explosive, these personal stories encompass a wide range of experiences and will resonate with every reader who has wondered, “Why is this happening to me?” or secretly felt that their own mistreatment or abuse is somehow their fault—it’s not. Candid and empowering, You Too? is written for teens, but also an essential resource for the adults in their lives—an urgent, compassionate call to listen and create change.
