Maybe He Just Likes You

Seventh-grader Mila faces unwanted attention from boys at her middle school who touch her, make comments, and invade her personal space. The interactions start small but escalate, leaving her confused about how to respond and whether she's overreacting. As Mila tries to focus on playing basketball and caring for shelter cats, the harassment continues to affect her daily life at school. She struggles with whether to tell teachers or her busy single mom, while her friendships become strained by the situation. Through her experiences, Mila must navigate complex social dynamics and find her voice to stand up for herself. The story tackles the challenge of identifying and responding to sexual harassment in middle school. This timely middle-grade novel addresses serious themes about consent, boundaries, and speaking up, while remaining accessible and age-appropriate for young readers. The narrative opens important discussions about harassment and empowerment.

Readers highlight how the book handles sexual harassment in middle school with realism and age-appropriate content. Parents and teachers note it helps start conversations with young people about consent and boundaries. Readers appreciate that: - The protagonist's feelings and reactions feel authentic - The story avoids simplistic solutions - Supporting characters show different perspectives - The karate storyline provides empowerment without feeling forced Main criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers wanted more resolution with certain side characters - Several mention it could be triggering for those who experienced harassment Ratings: Goodreads: 4.34/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (280+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 5/5 (parents), 4/5 (kids) "Perfect for helping middle schoolers understand boundaries," writes one teacher reviewer. "Tackles a difficult subject without being heavy-handed," notes another.

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🎭 This award-winning book was inspired by the #MeToo movement, but written specifically for middle-grade readers to address harassment in their age group. 📚 Author Barbara Dee conducted extensive research by interviewing middle school students and counselors about their experiences with unwanted touching and harassment. 🎵 The main character Mila's interest in jazz drumming was based on Dee's own son, who played drums in middle school jazz band. 🏆 The book received the 2020 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People award and was named to multiple "Best Books" lists, including the ALA Notable Children's Books. 💡 Schools across the country have incorporated this book into their curriculum to help teach students about consent, boundaries, and speaking up against harassment.