Clear Cut

by Melody Dodds

Heather Wright is always all right. That's what people say. But if she's always all right, then why is life so hard? Heather starts cutting as a way to deal with the difficult emotions she locks inside. But what starts out as casual cutting turns into a dangerous addiction. When Heather goes away to summer theater camp, she meets Josie. Josie is a tough, sassy diva who is more than just a cutter, but a cutting advocate online. Heather looks up to Josie until the darkness of Josie's inner world threatens to spill out over the side and drown both of them. Until she does the unthinkable.

200 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2020

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars if I could! When I heard of the title, I put the book's publication date in my phone months in advance. On that date, I immediately ordered a copy. I honestly did not know what to expect due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter. As someone who has and still struggles with self harm for many years, I had low expectations because both YA and Adult fiction tend to write about self harm in a very stereotypical and thus harmful manner, giving readers a poor and incorrect interpretation of self harm and how a person lives with it. That it happens to a specific type of person who does it for a specific reason, usually seen as "attention seeking." However, I still try to give authors and their books a chance because it's rare for a plot to focus on self harm itself, rather than as some vague typical detail of a character with mental illness.
When I finally received my copy in the mail, I was surprised that the format of the book is in verse (not sure why I was expecting otherwise). I did feel more confident after reading the opening "author's note." And this was definitely worth the wait. I read this in one sitting. Marked up several pages. Marked because the writing, the verse carries the weight of this topic with careful empathy and with the understanding and responsiveness to how this is not something minor someone tucks away and stays concealed. Even when you try. It's never out of sight, out of mind. Yet, Dodds' sensitivity illustrates how self harm is not something minor, but also is not something that is "crazy" or "attention seeking." I found the ending a little rushed to be finished, but this book definitely makes an effort to break down some of those stereotypes and myths, providing a small perspective of the triggers, thoughts, and even types of people behind self harm.

[Kari Napier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good poetry! The content was very disturbing for me, something I can not relate to nor could I stomach to read parts of it.

This will be a beautiful read for those that understand or relate to the words.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Clear Cut shares a story that brings awareness to gruesome truths both self physical and emotional abuse that help others begin to understand the draw of cutting.
The main character, Heather Write, discovers cutting by accident and soon finds it as a way to cope with the things that make her irritated. Two of the main reasons being her parents and their constant fighting, and her best friend Liv dating a boy Heather despises. She begins cutting herself more often, and each time she dulls the pain of her home situation, helplessness, and loneliness. Later on, she comes across a theater camp she goes to and meets new friends. One of them is Josie, who is also a cutter. One night, Josie takes things too far. In the long run, both girls get the help they need from professionals.
I quickly gravitated toward this novel after reading the first page. I wanted to keep reading to find out why they said Heather Write isn't always right. The book is not laid out as a regular book filled with sentence after sentence, but more as a poem, which I thought was really interesting.
My favorite part of the book was toward the end when she and Josie were finally able to get help. Throughout the book, we are able to see Heather's attitude change; before she starts cutting, during the time that she is, and after.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes shorter books to read in a poem format. As well as someone who likes to read Teen and Young Adult Fiction on Depression and Mental Health. But perhaps not someone who is prone to self-harm.

[Sandi Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi-lo verse novel about a teen girl who cuts herself to deal with the stressors of her parents fighting and her best friend abandoning her for a toxic relationship. I thought the author did a very good job of sensitively addressing a difficult topic, and I appreciated that the book begins with encouragement to readers to seek help if they need it. The poems are unique and make excellent use of white space. Recommended for struggling teen readers looking for an accessible, high interest book.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clear Cut is a hi-low novel in verse about cutting. There is a trigger warning at the beginning of the book, and the descriptions of cutting are specific. The characters are pretty well developed in a short amount of space, and the ending is handled nicely. This is one of the more developed hi-low books that I've read recently, although it won't be a good fit for everyone.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The books touches a very sad topic of cutting. I enjoyed the book seeing what goes through the characters mind as Heather is going through her troubles. I am sure Heather relates to many, and we have to find a way to have open communications with our children. This is definitely a book for high school students.

[Millie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book last school year, I found it when I had just gotten better and I ended up having an emotional attachment to the book. I’m glad I found and read it. The author accurately yet simply describes the way it feels to be in someone like Heather’s shoes.

[Presley Whitman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much it relates to my past, and I find a very interesting I read it about six or seven times and I would read it 41 more times I recommend