Safe
by Susan Shaw is one of the 2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers. This story is written in first-person narrative. Tracy, a 13 year old girl, recounts her life story. The story begins at her mom's funeral when she was just 3 years old. Then the story jumps to when she is 13 years old. For Tracy feeling "safe" meant having her mother close by. She could still feel her mother's presence years after her mom's death. However, all that changed on the last day of seventh grade when she was walking home from school. A car stopped beside her and pulled her into the car. The next thing she knew she was in the emergency room being treated. This book encapsulates what it feels like to be a victim of rape. She struggles to find her way back on feeling "safe" again. She decides to cut herself off from others and refuses to deal with what happened even after going to several therapy sessions. Tracy slowly progresses to recovery with the help of her father, piano instructor, and friends.
Despite the pain and suffering Tracy endured, she shows the reader that through courage, hope, and love one can overcome this horrid tragedy. When I started reading the book I was hoping it wouldn't contain any details of the rape itself, especially during the trial section of the story. I am so glad the author decided to leave those details out of the story and concentrate on Tracy's road to recovery. With date rape happening among teenagers, I think a lot of girls will either relate or know someone who could relate with Tracy.
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