Under Threat

by Robin Stevenson

Franny is close to her parents, adores her horse and is head over heels in love with her girlfriend, Leah. But Franny’s parents are abortion providers at the local hospital, and an anonymous stranger is prepared to do whatever it takes to stop them. A stranger who phones at all hours. Who knows where they live. Who knows Franny’s name. When Leah’s older brother, Jake, refers to her parents as baby killers, Franny starts to wonder if perhaps the threats aren’t coming from a stranger at all. If she tells the police about her suspicions, she could lose her girlfriend. But if she doesn’t—and if she’s right—she could lose her parents.

Genres: Young Adult, LGBT, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Lesbian, Social Justice, Romance

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2016

About the author

Robin Stevenson is the award winning author of over thirty books of fiction and non-fiction for kids and teens. Her books have received starred reviews and have won the Silver Birch Award, the Sheila A. Egoff award and a Stonewall Honor, and been finalists for the Governor General’s Literary Awards, the Lambda Literary Awards, and many reader’s choice awards. Robin was the Book and Periodical Council of Canada’s Champion of Free Expression for 2022, and received the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Literary Excellence in 2023. She lives on the west coast of Canada.

Reviews

[Danika at The Lesbrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was immediately intrigued by the premise of this one: a teenage girl's parents are threatened because they are abortion providers. She reaches out to her girlfriend, but her girlfriend doesn't necessarily see eye to eye her with her on a woman's right to choose.

I really appreciated reading a lesbian YA that begins after the main character has come out. That is incidental to the plot. This is part of the Orca Soundings series, which are hi-lo (high interest, low reading level) books, so it's very short and quick to read, but it actually juggles a lot for the length. I was definitely impressed. It feels lean: stripped down to just the essentials of the story. Also a topic that I haven't seen addressed in a YA book that I've read before, nevermind one with a queer main character.

[Emily May · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super short argument for reproductive rights, framed in an effective LGBT novella (short story?). This tiny little book packed a punch and I would have loved to see it as a full-length novel and spent more time with the characters.

I literally read this whole thing in about an hour. It's about a girl called Franny who loves horses, her parents, and her girlfriend - Leah. But her parents are abortion providers and she's also used to receiving threatening phone calls and mysterious packages that have to be removed by a bomb squad.

However, the latest threats have gotten more sinister. The caller knows her name and has sent close-up photographs of her family.

This frightening story forms the platform on which Franny can make her argument for reproductive rights. She's convinced her parents are doing the right thing and her reasoning emerges through various conversations. The book also shows her having to "come out" about her parents' jobs to her girlfriend's religious mother.

Like I said, I would have liked it to be longer, and to also have a different cover (why does it show a close-up of an almost kiss? It has nothing to do with the story) but I'm glad Stevenson is now on my radar.

[Dahlia]

I really would've liked this to be a full-length novel (it's more like a novella), but I absolutely liked what it was. There are very few YAs where a couple is together from before the book to the end (honestly, Bleeding Earth was the only other one I could recall), and a lesbian couple? In which both halves are already out? Basically a YA unicorn. (Although don't be fooled by the cover; I wouldn't call this a capital-R Romance; it's really more of a contemporary where the romance has effects on the story but isn't the center of it.) Add abortion-provider parents to that and you have a pretty kickass setup that's pretty cool just for existing, and is a fast and easy but impactful and interesting read besides.

[Lizzy Seitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 out of 5 stars

I liked the relationship between Franny and Leah because it was super relatable. However I felt like the actual plot was handled a bit too quickly because of how short the book was and everything was wrapped up too quickly. I wish there had been a bit more suspense but I like how the actual issue was handled

Trigger warnings for homophobia and anti abortion rhetoric

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s been a few days since I actually read this book, but I’m still having trouble pinpointing what this book is actually about. There are a few spoilers, so beware!

I’m actually a little bummed out that the synopsis on Goodreads lets down the book so much. I mean, the books description on Goodreads is literally one sentence.

“Franny’s life would be perfect if it weren’t for the death threats.”

While the book is pretty much framed around that one sentence, and the sentence is pretty much the book in it’s entirety, I can’t help but disagree with the synopsis a little. Under Threat is a book that deals with a lot of things. And for such a small book, it’s both a quick read and packs a punch while simultaneously raises a little awareness about the risk of being a doctor that provides abortions.

On the back of this book there’s a little more to the description of this book. It reads:

“Franny is close to her parents, adores her horse and is head over heels in love with her girlfriend, Leah. But Franny’s parents are abortion providers at the local hospital, and an anonymous stranger is prepared to do whatever it takes to stop them. A stranger who phones at all house. Who knows where they live. Who knows Franny’s name.”

I initially found this book on Goodreads, and then thought that the cover was pretty, and I mean, it is. And when I read the description, I thought that the book would be an interesting read. I ended up not adding Under Threat to my TBR list, because the book in paperback, is only 144 pages in it’s entirety. The size of the book itself is a little bigger than a pocket book.

What I like about this story is that it deals with a multitude of things. First off, the topic of abortions. There’s no scene that we see that’s an abortion scene. It’s just talked about because Franny’s parents are doctors that provide an abortion service at the local hospital. So if you’re squeamish about abortion, then you’re good.

The second thing that this book has is lesbians and some homophobia. Franny is a lesbian and her parents totally accept her. Franny’s parents are great in that aspect, and in many others. However, this story is about Franny as much as it’s about her parents while simultaneously being about Franny’s girlfriend, Leah, as well.

Under Threat in my opinion, goes a in a million different directions. There’s so much that happens in the little space of time. Franny’s parents and herself, are being threatened and targeted for the sole purpose that they’re people who help other people.

We see Franny deal with this in her own way, and I’d say she dealt with what happens pretty well. Franny appropriately freaks out, and worries. Franny seems to have a strong head on her shoulders, in which I feel like she’s dealt with a lot of stuff in her life time. But she’s also been around different situations and that has brought insight for Franny as well. Franny is a mature 17-year-old who, is actually really mature for her age. Of course, there are the usual things, like her relationship with Leah, in which she absolutely adores. And then there’s her horse, Buddy, who she absolutely loves.

I would say that Under Threat was a really good read, and I enjoyed getting to know Franny and the people around her. While I didn’t absolutely love this book, I didn’t exactly hate it, either. I just ended up enjoying it for the story it was: love, trust, uncertainty of the future, and safety.

Thank you for reading my review of Under Threat! I'm glad I got the chance to read this book.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the conflicts and the characters, but it felt underdeveloped to me. This is probably due to the fact that it is designed to be a short read for kids who are below grade level in reading.

I will say that this is a very strong title from the Orca Soundings series. I was riveted, but I also read the whole thing in roughly 30 minutes.

[Laina SpareTime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cross-posted from my blog where there's more information on where I got my copy and links and everything.

Okay, let’s get something out of the way first – this is short. It’s supposed to be. That’s the point. Orca books mainly publishes what are sometimes referred to as “hi-lo” books, or high interest low reading level books. That means books with more mature subject matter and low reading levels/simpler vocabulary. These are designed for selective readers, teens who struggle with reading, people learning English as a Second Language, readers with learning disorders, etc. This isn’t actually easy, and it takes a lot of skill to do it well. This article discusses 3rd to 5th graders, but it’s a good place to start reading. This one, too, explains how much work it takes to write one of these well. If you’re going to complain this is short, or that the plot is too simple, realize that this book might not be meant for you, and also you are missing the point completely.

Okay, now let’s talk about the actual book. I really liked it. First over, I’m never going to be over seeing YA use the word queer positively. And the relationship between Leah and Franny is an established one, which I haven’t seen very much before in YA. They’re also, frankly, adorable. Like, Franny calling Leah a dork? That is so freaking cute.

Everything in the book is also handled so respectfully. And I adored that it was unapologetically pro-abortion. Despite everything that happens with Franny’s parents, and how scary that is, Franny’s opinion that people have a right to choose what they want to do with their bodies and their pregnancies never wavers. The only thing I wish is that the book had stated that not only women can get pregnant/need abortions.

All in all, I was so impressed by this. Queer girls, a really cute romance, frank discussion of anti-abortionists and abortion rights, what it was like to be a doctor before abortion was legal, really supportive parents, and some decent tension in the plot. I very much recommend this one.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for my Young Adult Materials class.

Until my MLIS program I had never even heard of HiLo books (and the controversy surrounding their naming) but it is amazing the audience that can be reached by books like these. As a fast reader I was able to read this book in a very short amount of time due the simplicity of the language and the shortness of the book. Despite the fact that it was written decently simply the story was very interesting and I was hooked all the way through.

I really loved that the story included two girls in a relationship, but both of them were already out, as I am definitely tired of books that have people coming out of the closet as the biggest plot point. The book dealt with complicated issues such as abortion and religion and the controversy that surrounds them both. Though there wasn't a lot of time to get to know the characters I felt like I understood them all and they were not super obvious which I enjoyed. I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did, but it was a pleasant surprise.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ignore the book cover because it's misleading and really not a reflection of the book at all. I mean, there is a queer relationship, and the girls are a couple from the start of the novel (novella? This is really short), but this isn't exactly a queer book as much as it is a book about abortion rights, which is pretty incredible. I've not read a book that's willing to tackle the anti-choice movement, especially one aimed at younger audiences. The fact that there is a queer storyline is a bonus.

I've rated this 4 stars because of the author's courage and ambition. I don't think it's the most amazing book. Characters are fairly one-dimensional and this wrap up a bit too neatly, but I admire the attempt.

[Jennifer Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read with a clear pro-choice agenda. I did like the characters quite a bit though. I found it a bit ironic that Fanny's parent's were abortion providers and she was a lesbian, the group least in need of their services. I am sure this is on banned lists all over the country. Thankfully I have a progressive, liberal library.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would've been a one star, but I wanted to love it so much I don't have the heart. Important issue, and I love when a character is allowed to be gay and it has literally nothing to do with the story, but it reads like a child wrote it.

[Shyla Colt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book fell flat for me. I was expecting a thriller, and this read more like an angsty contemporary with one twist.

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intriguing story line! It was basically a novella, but I felt like it was the perfect length as nothing was missing from the story. The story is about a small family and how the parents jobs as being abortion doctors affects not only their lives, but their daughters life too. A very eye-opening story.

[Rebecca Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the content. Would like a more satisfying conclusion.

[Kyla Belvedere · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read these Orca Soundings books so that I can recommend them to my students who need high interest, low level books (this one is a grade 4.2 level). I didn't mind the story. To appeal to a wide range of ages, it leads up to all the exciting parts, but never gets in to any details (they start to kiss, then next scene, etc), but this is true for all Orca Soundings, although I have heard displeasure at this tactic from older students.

My issue with this was the privileged life of the characters. Owning horses, parents who are rich doctors...this I had trouble with. A lot of my struggling readers are barely hovering around the poverty line, if not well below it. I know this isn't true for all struggling readers, but for my marginalized students, poverty is all they know. I thought this made the book rather inaccessible for the majority of my kids who are struggling (while others, like Skylark, are great). However, I did think that the story line of two teens disagreeing about abortion was well done.

[Rachel Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, a few weeks ago, i was going through the giveaways on here and I saw Under Threat. I read the description and thought it sounded prettying neat. So I entered and ended up winning
Let me just day, this book far exceeded my expectations. I thought it was going to be good, but this book was absolutely amazing. It was such a quick read. I finished in about an hour. The relationship between Franny and Leah was very realistic. Even though the book was only just over 100 pages, I was completely absorbed in their relationship and in the story as a whole. The book captivated me from the first sentence.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be a wonderful vehicle to start discussion with teenagers about religious extremism and domestic (i.e. christian) terrorism but as a novel unto itself, seems rather heavy-handed.

Our narrator, Franny, is traumatized by repeated threats to her doctor parents (both abortion providrs) and ends up lashing out at her girlfriend's brother for his ignorant views and possibly alienating her beloved forever. But they make up and its fine. I think this book could have been much more nuanced if it had been told from the perspective of Leah, the girlfriend.

I recieved this book free from Orca through GoodReads.

[. · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of a novella than a novel, and definitely written for a younger age group. I guess if I was 12 or so this wouldn't have been an awful read, but at 28 years old this did absolutely nothing for me. Simple story, flat characters, rushed resolution, etc.

[Lisa McManus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is SUCH an important read - so well written, it was a pleasure to follow the character through her continuous journey through self-discovery of herself and the world around her. LOVE THIS. This seasoned writer continues to produce fabulous work :)

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wrapped up way too neatly

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lean, fast-paced, plot driven, and full of conflict. Ideal for reluctant readers.

[Andi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really quick, easy YA; relationship is complicated by fact that parents are abortion providers