I Won't Let Them Hurt You

by Linda Barr

Katie really cares about Justin, the cute two-year-old she baby-sits. But she cant help but notice the changes in him. Hes quieter now, and he sometimes calls himself a bad boy. Then Katie starts to notice bruises on Justin. She explains them awayuntil the day when she has to face the possibilities and make a very difficult decision. Who will believe what she suspects? What if shes wrong? Maybe she shouldnt say anything. But little Justin might be in real danger. And maybe Katie is the only one who can protect him.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie is babysitting a little boy when she realizes something is wrong. She struggles with whether to tell, and whom. Once she does tell, the repercussions for the family are large.

Although written for a younger audience, it did have a thought-provoking message, which mainly was, don't ignore something unpleasant because you could hurt someone, because ignoring it could still hurt someone. In this case, a little boy was being hurt and telling hurt his caregivers.

All that was well done.

The part I didn't quite buy into was the ending where the abusers suddenly accepted that they were wrong and Katie was right, and they "forgave" her for telling on them.

[Jessica Swisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but I didn't. I enjoyed going on the adventure with Katie and how she saved this boys life but I didn't like how their were two big conflicts. I felt like the chapters would go back and forth between the problem of finding the money to pay for the dress and how she was going to help Justin.

[Ginger Poulsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good message, I guess, but just not well-written.

[Karissa Lalonde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book is totally live changing and for someone who works as a case worker for CPS it is very eye opening..
totally recommend

[Sierra Lopez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kate was watching a little boy named Justin when she started noticing bruises all over the little boy then she didn't no weather she should say anything nor did she no who to go to so she ended up telling the police. When looking into it he was being beat by his parents. They took the little boy away and had the parents get help they hated Kate until the end when they realized what they were doing and they got Justin back and thanked Kate.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartbreaking but good. This book tackles the sensitive subject of child abuse. When Katie notices changes in Justin, the two year old boy she has been babysitting, she begins to suspect something is going on and faced with the possibility that he is danger she has to make a very difficult decision.

[Danielle]

I read this book as a teen and have thought about and searched for it ever since (i'm 28 now) I believe this was the first book that got to me emotionally as I was reading.... good job to the author for making this such a lasting story!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this one is a must-read for beginner babysitters. Because I have loved sitting since I was a young teen, I think the story is quite an important little read! I hope anyone in this situation would do what this girl did!

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was a teenager and a few years ago it took a lot of internet searching to finally find the title and author! This book does not have many pages, but you will be surprised that this small book can make you want to cry!

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favorite book growing up. Read it 7 or 8 times.

[Sabrina Rutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this when I was a kid and it was one of my favorites.

[Paytience K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that the author put the babysitter in a tough posion. And tat it sheds light on the people who do good things. 4 others.

[K.Q. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this many times when I was a teenager. I still remember some parts of it vividly. I think I'll try to track down a copy for my sister's daughter.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this story in high school and admired the main character's courage. This is a heartfelt emotional story about child abuse.

[Mayssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so sad how parents could abuse their own child.