The Burning
-
- $10.99
-
- $10.99
Publisher Description
"A smart, explosive examination of gender discrimination and its ramifications." — Publishers Weekly
From Laura Bates, internationally renowned feminist and founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, comes a realistic novel for the #metoo era. The Burning will prompt all readers to consider the implications of sexism and the role we can each play in ending it
What happens when you can't run or hide from a mistake that goes viral?
New school. Check.
New town. Check.
New last name. Check.
Social media profiles? Deleted.
Anna and her mother have moved hundreds of miles to put the past behind them. Anna hopes to make a fresh start and escape the harassment she's been subjected to. But then rumors and whispers start, and Anna tries to ignore what is happening by immersing herself in learning about Maggie, a local woman accused of witchcraft in the seventeenth century. A woman who was shamed. Silenced. And whose story has unsettling parallels to Anna's own.
The Burning is a powerful call to action, perfect for readers looking for:
•feminist novels for teens
•young adult realistic fiction books
•contemporary novels with historical fiction elements
•books that deal with current events and issues
Praise for The Burning:
"A haunting rallying cry against sexism and bullying." —Kirkus Reviews
"Emotionally charged...powerful." —Booklist
"A painfully realistic, spellbinding novel." —Shelf Awareness
"Bates's twist on a cautionary tale will take readers on an emotional roller coaster". —School Library Journal
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bates's powerful debut roars with feminist themes and #MeToo awareness. Grieving the death of her father, 16-year-old Anna Clark and her mother move from England to a Scottish fishing village to distance themselves from online slut-shaming that occurred in Anna's past. At St. Margaret's Academy, Anna makes friends with Cat and Alisha, but is surprised when she's groped in the pool and a group of popular boys harass and circulate vicious rumors about other female students. Adjusting to life in her new town, Anna is immersed in the local history of Maggie Morgan, an unwed mother accused of witchcraft and publicly shamed around 1650. As Anna's former life is revealed through invasive social media posts, she experiences Maggie's persecution through vivid dreams. Anna's voice radiates with a blend of fear and building anger as she seeks justice for herself and the other girls at St. Margaret's. Bates incorporates poetic descriptions ("tongues like blades") while clearly connecting the inhumane treatment of 17th-century women through witch hunts with harmful attitudes held toward today's young women. A smart, explosive examination of gender discrimination and its ramifications. Ages 14 up.
