What We Saw

Kate Weston wakes up with no memory of what happened at a party the night before. As rumors circulate about an assault at the party involving her classmates, Kate struggles to piece together the events she missed. The story takes place in a small Midwestern town where high school sports reign supreme and reputation means everything. Through Kate's investigation, questions emerge about consent, loyalty, and the price of staying silent in a tight-knit community. The narrative follows Kate as she navigates conflicting accounts, social pressure, and her own uncertainty while trying to uncover the truth. Her relationships with friends, family, and her childhood friend Ben become complicated as different versions of that night surface. This contemporary young adult novel examines how social dynamics and ingrained beliefs can shape responses to sexual assault. The story raises questions about responsibility, truth-telling, and what it means to be a bystander.

Readers find this book honest and realistic in its portrayal of high school culture, rape culture, and social media's role in sexual assault cases. Many reviewers note the book helped them understand victim-blaming dynamics and bystander behavior. Readers appreciated: - Raw, authentic teenage voices and dialogue - Complex exploration of loyalty vs. morality - No graphic assault descriptions - Multiple perspectives on truth and complicity Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Some found the protagonist naive - Romance subplot felt unnecessary to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (180+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (40+ ratings) Review quotes: "Made me examine my own biases and assumptions" -Goodreads reviewer "Important message but the delivery drags" -Amazon reviewer "Should be required reading in high schools" -Barnes & Noble reviewer

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson A teenage girl grapples with the aftermath of sexual assault while her classmates and community remain unaware of the truth.

All the Rage by Courtney Summers A survivor faces disbelief and backlash from her small town after reporting a sexual assault involving a popular student.

The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith The story follows four years in a girl's life as she navigates high school after experiencing sexual assault by her brother's best friend.

Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E. K. Johnston A cheerleading captain pieces together the events of her assault at summer camp while dealing with its impact on her senior year.

Some Boys by Patty Blount A high school student faces isolation and harassment after accusing the school's star lacrosse player of rape at a party.

📚 Aaron Hartzler based the story on real events that occurred in Steubenville, Ohio in 2012, where social media played a crucial role in documenting and exposing a sexual assault case. 🎓 Before becoming an author, Hartzler worked as an actor and playwright in Los Angeles, bringing his storytelling expertise from stage to page. 📱 The book explores how modern technology and social media can both reveal truth and distort reality, making it one of the first YA novels to deeply examine this contemporary issue. ⚖️ The novel sparked important discussions in schools and reading groups about consent, victim-blaming, and the bystander effect. 🏆 "What We Saw" received multiple accolades, including being named a USA Today Must-Read Book and earning a spot on the Chicago Public Library's Best Teen Fiction list.