Listen to the Girls

by Chrystal D. Giles

When Calla finds out her favorite teacher has been accused of inappropriate conduct, she decides to take action in this powerful story about growing up and speaking up, about listening to others and learning to listen to yourself. Because the more Calla listens . . . the more she realizes that maybe she has something to say too.

"Important and empowering—this story is a testament to the power of girls supporting one another."—Kate Messner, New York Times bestselling author

What if the truth really is as powerful as it feels?

Calla has always had smart-girl energy. She’s Josiah the track star’s practical younger sister. Charlee and Jacoby’s problem-solving best friend. Attorney Dionne Howard’s model daughter. So it’s nice when someone seems to see her for her, outside of all that. But what if that person is a grown-up who maybe isn’t as trustworthy as Calla thought? Calla’s mom likes to say “Always do what you know is right.” But what if you don’t know what the right thing is?

These are the questions Calla faces on the last day of seventh grade, when she finds out that her favorite teacher has been accused of inappropriate conduct at his old school. Calla doesn’t know what really happened. She does know that people are saying mean things about the girls who have spoken out—and that can’t be right . . . can it? Inspired by her favorite newsblogger, EboniNews (whose motto is Amplify. Connect. Truth. ACT.), Calla has an idea. Can she find a way to ACT?

Genres: Middle Grade

256 pages, Library Binding

Expected publication May 5, 2026

About the author

Chrystal D. Giles is a champion for diversity and representation in children’s literature. She made her debut with Take Back the Block, which received multiple starred reviews, was a Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and NPR Best Book, and won the IRA Social Justice Literature Award. Her latest middle-grade novel, Not An Easy Win, received four starred reviews and has been named an ALSC Notable Children's Book. Chrystal lives outside Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and son.

Chrystal is represented by Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc.

Reviews

[Katy O.]

Review will be published in School Library Journal

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calla's last day of school changes her entire summer. She expects to spend the day with her best friends, saying goodbye to her favorite teacher, and jump-starting the summer break. Instead, a post by her favorite independent journalist sends her reeling. Girls have accused her favorite teacher of sexual harassment at his last school.

Calla doesn't know what to think. Students are whispering, and the other teachers seem distracted. Then comments start appearing on the blog post attacking the girls who spoke up. That isn't right, and Calla and her friends know that when something isn't right, they need to do something. But what if things aren't what they appear? What if by doing something, Calla learns more than she is ready to handle?

This is a much-needed book about the topic of educator sexual harassment. According to research (Grant et al, 2024), 17.4% of young adult respondents to a survey reported that they had experienced educator sexual abuse, the majority of which was verbal. Despite this being something that about 1 in 6 children experiences in K-12, there are very few books about it. This is the first middle grades novel that I've read that addresses this important topic.

This is the middle grades book I desperately needed to read as a child. If I had read it before I met my sexually abusive upper elementary teacher, I would have known what she was doing and how to tell. If I had read it during or after the abuse, I wouldn't have felt as achingly alone. I would have had more words for what I went through.

I am certain this book will save lives. Although that sounds like hyperbole, it's not. Sexual abuse (including sexual harassment) can damage and/or destroy lives. This book can help prevent that.

This book needs to be in every upper elementary and middle school classroom and school library. Sadly, there are children in every school who will need the information this book provides. Plus, it's a fantastic story of family and friends as well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

-Dr. B, survivor of educator sexual abuse

[Vanessa Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tbh I’m not sure how I feel about this book. It’s important for sure and I’m glad she highlighted grooming as part of sexual assault/harassment. It’s important for everyone to know the signs of being groomed. For the majority of the book, I felt like some of the content were like fillers or something to meet a word count. It is a middle grade book so I can get why she didn’t go into too much detail and it was age appropriate. The topic was handled beautifully.

[Bridie]

Ok really important stuff for kids and this might be picky but I wish it was more focused on restorative justice lol BUT I guess that’s not the kid’s responsibility and not the point of the book