One Night

by Melanie Florence

Luna Begay is as studious and serious about her Aboriginal heritage as her sister, Issy, is outgoing and fun. When Issy convinces Luna to go with her to a party full of rich kids, Luna is surprised to end up talking with Jon, who is charming, sophisticated, and very good-looking. But the night turns bad when Jon drugs and rapes Luna.Feeling guilty and ashamed that she will be perceived as an Indian slut, Luna doesn't tell anyone and remains in denial until Issy figures out that Luna is pregnant. Knowing that her decisions will affect her parents and Issy as much as her own future, Luna has to work out how to deal with the consequences of that one night, and she has to do it fast.

Genres: Young Adult, Indigenous, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2015

Reviews

[Trisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I can see the point of this story, I feel like it read more like a play than a novel. It was just too short and too blatant with the message. It doesn't work around it, really go into detail or really give a better scenario than the normal for this type of book. It reads like a Dangers of Drinking booklet given to kids. It was just okay but lacked the depth or finesse to really make me love it.

[Keep Calm Novel On · Rating 4 out of 5]

NetGalley provided a copy of the ePub in exchange for an honest review.

Melanie Florence’s young adult novel One Night is a powerful read for all readers. Written for reluctant readers it will be read by readers at all levels.

Luna speaks with such honesty and tells her story with integrity. She is a goal driven student with high expectations for herself. She is supported and loved by her family. Her family support and trust is tested after Luna discovers she is pregnant. Luna had attended a party with her sister and was drugged. She reveals her mature decision making process to the reader. Her family continues to stand behind their daughter and sister. The author explores many issues—sexual abuse, bullying, teenage pregnancy, adoption, and rape. Melanie’s Florence’s well-written and compassionate novel does not disappoint.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book handled some tough subjects very well for a book aimed primarily at young adults - it is not often that you can get a book that is easy to read that covers such topics as date rape, racism, bullying, teenage pregnancy and adoption well but I am glad to have read this one - the way that author has written it makes it flow very well and I read it in a day.

[Sharon Mariampillai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read

I received a copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Actual Rating: 3.5

This was an encouraging read. The story talks about important issues such as racism, rape, teenage pregnancy and adoption. I have had this on my Netgalley shelf for a while and now have finally read it. The story revolved around Luna, a goal oriented, studious girl who went to a party, and was drugged and raped. The rest of the story follows her journey after the rape with her pregnancy and the decision of what to do next. I thought that she was brave to face the bullying and racism at her school after the pregnancy was exposed as I thought it showed dignity and grace about who she was as a person. Also, I really enjoyed the relationship that she has with her family. I think the lesson that I learned from this book is to tell someone about what happened to you because the pain and feelings associated with what happened can consume you, and it is better to rely on people. Overall, a great read.

[Kelly (purplebookstand) · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Night

I haven't read any of Florence's other books, but this a great young adult read, very relevant to the young people in today's society.

There are some difficult subjects broached in this book, and I think they are sensitively handled - date rape and teen pregnancy, adoption, cultural ties, racism, and many other issues. This is a well written, easy read that I think that teenage girls in particular, will enjoy.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[natasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

egész jó kis könyv ez a maga egyszerűségében. az tetszett különösen, hogy végig megtartotta a támogató hangnemet, amivel jólesett sodródni. meg az is klassz volt, hogy végre egy okos szereplő, aki végig okos maradt, még ha félelemből hozott is butácska döntést a titkolózással, de ez abszolút megalapozott volt. azt sajnáltam kicsit -- bár értettem a miértjét --, hogy végül eléggé elkente az erőszak kérdését.

[Christina Culbertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I just finished the young adult book called "One night." As a native American myself, and a young adult novel lover, I went ahead and picked this book up at the library. Being a 27 year old female, I can still learn a thing or two in a young adult novel. This book was decent. Poor little luna, innocent as can be, gets talked into going to a party with her outgoing sister, ends up getting drugged and raped. She was a virgin, so it was very sad for her to lose her virginity, get drugged and raped in one night. The rest of the book is luna finding out she's pregnant, and dealing with the aftermath. The popular girls give her hell. She debates wether or not to keep the kid. Her sister ends up confronting the older guy who raped luna. In the end, luna decides to give the baby up for adoption after having him. I didn't agree with that at all. Everyone has their opinions, but being a woman who doesn't have kids, and has had a miscarraige, I think luna should have kept the child. She was being selfish by giving it up in my eyes. I'm sure alot will disagree, because she was raped, but that baby would have been just fine with her and her family. She wasn't "ready" to have a kid, but all it takes is time. Being a woman who would give up everything to have a kid of my own, raped or not, giving it to strangers is not the best option if abortion is out of the question. True, luna has her whole life ahead of her, but their are plenty of young teen moms who have children, and still go to college while raising the kid. Luna didn't want the baby, because she felt it deserved a better life than what she could give him. I think the baby would have had a great life being with her and her family. She didn't want the burden of having a child, so she could go off to college and not be tied down by a kid. If she was just going to give it away, she should have gotten an abortion before it was too late. No, I don't agree with abortion, but if you are raped, their is an exception. Giving your child to strangers is not the best option to me, I'm sorry. Although Lane and Ryan seemed like good people, you never know what goes on behind closed doors. At least if the child stayed with luna, she would never have to worry about the baby being mistreated. True she was raped, but the child is the good thing that come out of it. I'm sure if I had children my opinion would be different, but considering I dont, I don't believe in carrying a child full term, then giving it away, I'm sorry. Luna should have kept the kid, and it would have worked. Who knows what's going to happen to that kid now. Don't let the nice family persona fool you. Don't let the big house and nice cars fool you. Theirs just no way in hell I could give my baby away to strangers. Regardless on giving the child a better life, no life is better than being with the real parent. I give this book 3 stars. It has a good message, but young teen moms should not be afraid with keeping their child in fear of losing a college acceptance. Theirs plenty of teen moms that raise their children, work, and go to college at the same time. It would be hard, but it can work. I don't agree with giving the baby away. I would have given this a better rating if luna would have kept the baby. Her own father even wanted to keep the child. Luna being selfish and stupid giving it away to people who look nice on the outside, but could be terrible, abusive people on the inside. You never know, and that's why giving the baby up for adoption is absolutely out of the question for me.

[Mandy Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My compliments to whoever wrote the summary. It basically tells you exactly what to expect from this realistic fiction book. I appreciated the immediate clarification that "Indian" here means "Native American". Since that term can easily mean two different ethnicities, it was nice having it set out straightaway.

Goodness, where to begin? Alphabetically (because, you know, librarian):

-CHARACTERS
I adore Luna. She was so much like me in high school that it made her struggles more difficult to read. I'll admit, I cried for her. A couple of times. She never begins to act out of character but she does grow throughout the novel.
Izzy. Is. Isabelle. About what you would expect. She's a younger sister, vibrant, embrace life type of gal who is fierce about her love and responsibility towards her family. I don't often get to see these character traits combined in YA lit and it was refreshing. She stands by her sister throughout the whole ordeal and never breaks character.
Mean Girl: Bean. WOW! Just wow. At first, she is the stereotypical mean girl and then she is still this mean girl but with a heart. (Mean girl with a heart...is that possible?)
Parents and other adults: Exactly as I would expect them to be. Realistically portrayed, they are at first shocked, then incredibly supportive of Luna. Her principal and teachers are understanding and concerned with her safety. I heaved a sigh of relief at this portrayal. I work at a public high school (hi, Warriors!) and I absolutely KNOW this is how it goes down there rather than the usual judgmental way portrayed in novels. (Although the students on the other hand can be brutal - also written in the novel.) Luna's parents were so fantastic. Concern for their daughter, getting her immediate medical care, discussing realistic options for after the baby is born, and supporting Luna the whole way are exactly how a parent SHOULD react. Writing adults as they are here could encourage girls to come forward about rape or pregnancy. THANK YOU MELANIE FLORENCE!

PLOT: The summary basically hits all of the main points. It's solid and lifelike. The inclusion of so many contemporary issues (alcoholism, stereotyping, negative branding, rape, drinking, abortion, adoption, being roofied) makes it interesting and thought-provoking the whole way through.

WISHES: If I could have just one wish regarding this book it would be STOP USING CHARACTER'S NAMES ALL THE TIME IN DIALOGUE! I am not kidding. In one line of three sentences, Luna used Izzy's name twice. It was constant with those two. "Izzy, I need a drink." "No problem, Luna." "Thanks, Is." "What do you think we should do about your growing belly, Luna?" "I'm not sure." Those are not real lines of dialogue taken from the book - just examples of what it was like to read the characters' names in the dialogue all of the time. I understand that a certain amount is necessary for this genre of book to clarify who is speaking. However, it was excessive. So excessive that it has made me think twice about buying the book and adding it to our collection. Luckily, the book has so many merits, it outweighs all of this, Is.

Overall, I gave the book 4/5 stars. It would have had all 5 if not for the constant name dropping.

[Anne Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is not only that I did not care much for this book, the problem is that it really made me mad.
The story holds in a few lines: Luna goes to a party, is given a rohypnol laced drink, passes out, is raped and goes home. She does not tell anyone. She is pregnant from the rape, waits fifteen weeks to try old wives remedies that don't work, has be baby and gives him up for adoption. Complete it with the fact that Luna is a 17 year old senior in high school and that she is a Native from Canada.
So, neither Luna nor her sister know about the morning after pill, or plan B. The pill, to be taken as soon as possible after an unprotected relationship prevents the egg to be fertilized or to implant in the uterus. It works best in the 24 hours following sex. It costs around $50 -less than 10 euros in Europe. She does not know about DNA testing, which would make the boy who raped her responsible for the financial well being of the baby and pay child support, which would enable her to go to university and keep the baby in a daycare when she attends classes.
Worse, blond Canadian boys with great houses and plenty of money are rapists, it is kind of normal. They don't use condoms, but they know how to get rohypnol. They obviously don't care whether they scatter babies around.
And people are naturally racist against perfectly normal aboriginal girls, insulting them just for the fun of it.
Is that the kind of message we want to give to our kids? especially to reluctant readers, who won't read many books to get a second opinion?
I feel ashamed such books are written.

[Tanya Grech Welden · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a quick read with simple language that will probably have some appeal for less than enthusiastic readers (or those with low ability). While "One Night" deals with themes and ideas that are relevant to and of great interest to adolescents (notably teen pregnancy and rape), it does so in a rather pedestrian manner. I appreciated that Florence set out to explore the topic through the lens of an indigenous girl living in Canada while touching upon the race issues that are interwoven with this. However, from where I stand, she never did more than scratch the surface of what is a highly complex issue. The scope of the story, the language used and the approach to story-telling, all converged to prevent this narrative from achieving anything much. For a good part the story is all tell.....more show was definitely needed. The approach to racism was blunt, with the writer failing to capture some of the more subtle nuances of how racism is played out on a daily basis in the lives of girls like Luna. The biggest issue I have with this story is that it breaks an important rule of YA. It is preachy. In doing so it is also predictable with both having me shake my head. As a whole I was disappointed with this story which promised so much and had the potential to deliver a strong voice, for what I imagine, is a largely silenced community. This title will have a transient appeal for a teen audience, yet, failed in its broader objective....to challenge racial stereotypes.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Night is a good story, but I feel like it could have gone deeper. In regards to what happened to Luna, I'm well aware that many girls don't speak out with the way they are often dealt with by the public, but I wish that this story had gone a different way and that Luna had fought for justice. I agree with her decision about her baby though, she showed strength in that sense.

Other things that warmed my heart was the thick bond between the siblings, which is not often portrayed in YA books. I also liked the parents, how hard they worked to give their children opportunities, and the healthy family environment they had. The easy writing and the fact that the main character is diverse was also a wonderful thing and I'd love to read more books with characters having Aboriginal heritage. But I did have an issue with the pace. It was too fast for a story depicting such topics. Would have loved for the author to slow down a bit and give more. Like I said, this is a good story with some serious and very much realistic topics, but they weren't truly delved into and that would have pulled me in a lot more.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a niche book written for reluctant YA readers "One Night" actually packs quite a wallop, and is sure to appeal to teenage girls who may have not have developed a reading habit. Luna and Issy are two aboriginal sisters living in Toronto with their hard working parents, who are eking out a marginal living and trying to improve their family's lot in life. The girls attend a public high school where they exist on the fringes of school popularity. Issy is more outgoing than Luna and convinces her to attend a party outside their neighborhood, where unfortunately Luna is drugged and raped by the young, handsome and rich host - Jon. From that point on, the book deals with the consequences of that terrible event. This is where the book slips into stereotype, and this is most likely because of the format and length requirements of the series (Sidestreet Novels). There's a great story here but it would ultimately work better with more nuance and more tension all around.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the Sidestreets series of books, I think they are a "must" read for all YA (and everyone else). They are brave enough to tackle difficult subjects, which I think is IMPERATIVE, considering the world we now live in. These books open up discussions that are a MUST.

One Night was an okay read. I have read better books in this series. While there was nothing wrong with the story, considering how ambitious this book was - tackling two very difficult and painful subjects, I felt as though neither was explored enough.

The main character was also not all that flushed out and to be honest, I felt as though there just wasn't enough importance put on any aspect in this book, which, I believe, is a direct result of this book tackling too many issues at once.

While I did enjoy the writing, which was well paced and down to earth, I found myself wishing for more here.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Night is the story of when bad things happen to good people. Luna finally steps outside of her comfort zone, and immediately gets handed a whole new life. While i connected to the characters, I felt the story was pretty rushed. I felt like this was the middle of a series. It felt as if there wasn't enough of an introduction to the sisters, like I missed a chapter. And I also felt there should be more to the story of making Jon pay for what he did. But, alas, this wasn't my story or vision, so I can respect how it was written. I really did like the story for the most part and would like to read more from Ms. Florence.

[Brittney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Warning: Rape

The writing seemed simple and sounded awkward for the first half. I'm unsure if I just became immune to the simple writing or if it did get better through the book because the last half seemed better to me. Putting that aside, this is an important story as well as a quick read. I wish that the book had dealt more with the rape but I understand the decision that Luna made.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick read, and as such I felt like it treated the incredibly important subject too shallowly. The writing was fine, but the whole thing moved too fast without getting into any real details. I never came to care about the characters or be at all invested in the story. It was just ok.

[Malvina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melanie Florence knows the Canadian people. Great read.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

With interesting characters and a fast moving plot, One Night should appeal to many middle and high school girls. The story line is current and relevant. There are many issues (date rape, mean girls, racial slurs, teen pregnancy, adoption, underage drinking) that have the potential to spark lively discussions.

The book states it has a 3.0 reading level, which makes it accessible to a wider range of students.

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best or most interesting writing style for my tastes, but important subject in an easy read.