A 2020 ALA Notable Children’s Book
A Washington Post Best Children’s Book of 2019 Barbara Dee explores the subject of #MeToo for the middle grade audience in this heart-wrenching—and ultimately uplifting—novel about experiencing harassment and unwanted attention from classmates. For seventh-grader Mila, it starts with some boys giving her an unwanted hug on the school blacktop. A few days later, at recess, one of the boys (and fellow trumpet player) Callum tells Mila it’s his birthday, and asks her for a “birthday hug.” He’s just being friendly, isn’t he? And how can she say no? But Callum’s hug lasts a few seconds too long, and feels…weird. According to her friend, Zara, Mila is being immature and overreacting. Doesn’t she know what flirting looks like? But the boys don’t leave Mila alone. On the bus. In the halls. During band practice—the one place Mila could always escape. It doesn’t feel like flirting—so what is it? Thanks to a chance meeting, Mila begins to find solace in a new place: karate class. Slowly, with the help of a fellow classmate, Mila learns how to stand her ground and how to respect others—and herself. From the author of Everything I Know About You, Halfway Normal, and Star-Crossed comes this timely story of a middle school girl standing up and finding her voice.” BL 4.2/7 |
COMMUNITY CHALLENGE:
Design a poster for your school, educating students on sexual harassment. List ways that students can identify sexual harassment, and also actions they can take to end the harassment.
Design a poster for your school, educating students on sexual harassment. List ways that students can identify sexual harassment, and also actions they can take to end the harassment.
CHANCE: Found Poem
A "found poem" is made from an existing piece of literature. Find specific lines from "Maybe he just likes you" and quote them verbatim (word for word) in your poem, rearranging your favorite lines in order to form a new, coherent idea. You can play with the length of lines and spacing however you see fit. Make sure to title your poem.
A "found poem" is made from an existing piece of literature. Find specific lines from "Maybe he just likes you" and quote them verbatim (word for word) in your poem, rearranging your favorite lines in order to form a new, coherent idea. You can play with the length of lines and spacing however you see fit. Make sure to title your poem.
ACTIVITY 3:
Look up the definitions of these words and phrases, and write a report demonstrating that you understand what they mean:
#MeToo
Sexual harassment
Consent
Misconduct
Provocation
Advocacy
Respect
Boundaries
Communication
Trust
Equality
Look up the definitions of these words and phrases, and write a report demonstrating that you understand what they mean:
#MeToo
Sexual harassment
Consent
Misconduct
Provocation
Advocacy
Respect
Boundaries
Communication
Trust
Equality