Safe

by Susan Shaw

Safe. To Tracy, safe means having Mama close by. Years after her mother's death, Tracy still feels her presence. But the moment Tracy is forced into a car as she is walking home from school one day, safe is ripped away. In the aftermath of an unspeakable crime, thirteen-year-old Tracy must fight her way back to safety and find comfort in her mother's memory once again.Susan Shaw returns with a raw and moving story of a young rape victim's journey toward healing, empowered by poetry and music, family and friends.

Genres: Young Adult, Abuse, Realistic Fiction, Teen, Fiction, Mental Health, Friendship

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 4, 2007

About the author

I was born in a log cabin in Illinois - no that wasn't me!

I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, grew up outside of Philadelphia with two parents, along with a wild assortment of brothers and sisters and cats and dogs. I did things like take music lessons and play relievo or baseball in the sideyard with the neighborhood kids. Went to school, which I really hated, but somehow managed to get through anyway. I was smart, but, boy, you couldn't tell it by my grades.

Well, maybe I didn't do my homework, but I read. If it didn't move, I read it. Chances are, I wrote about it, too, in the diary I kept all through my childhood. I've heard that that's called taking notes.

Eventually, despite engaging in various activities called play that periodically involved knocking myself out, I grew up. This much amazed my grandmother who said I lived a charmed life.

After graduating from Radnor High School, I attended Temple University, graduating with a music education degree. During my college years, I met my husband, a young man named John with a cute smile and a wonderful sense of humor. I married him quick before he had a chance to get away. Ah, young love! Since that time, we've had one adventure after another together, raising children, one daughter and two sons, and our love is still young. Despite John's gray hair, he still looks twenty years old to me.

What do I do when I'm not writing? Visit friends, ride my bike, sometimes with John, sometimes not. Hiking. I love to attend plays, too. Some of my recent favorites: Doubt, The Drowsy Chaperone, Eggs.

Reviews

[Anna Hardesty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back of the book:
"He held me and told me he loved me and that everything would be fine, and that they'd get the person who did this to me. Having him hold me like that was the only good thing out of it all, having him hold me and being right there with me. I just wished he could have held me harder and tighter and made the bad feelings, the dirty feelings, go away. But I don't think you can hold a person that tight, so tight that she's in your heart, way inside your skin, being cleaned and warmed by your blood.

Mine:
Great story of recovering from a sexual assault incident. A 13-year-old protagonist at first doesn't feel safe outside of her house - even walking down the street to visit her best friend. It takes almost a year before she is able to feel more or less herself again. This book kind of droned on for me, but all in all I think it was still a great story. It's sad that someone so young had to live through something like this. But it really does happen, more than it should.

[Meaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a low-key, almost elegant treatment of what can be a very messy topic. Although the protagonist was clearly raped and brutally beaten, the attack itself is not described at all, so I think the book would be suitable for young teens and even some mature tweens in spite of its subject. It was easy to sympathize with Tracey and her trauma and slow psychological recovery from the event was realistic, as were the actions of the people around her.

This would be a good companion book to the oft-recommended Laurie Halse Anderson novel Speak.

[Briggs Tople · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this riveting book, the heartfelt story of a rape victim's healing process will make it as if this character is you. The book is more as if a sob story, for action packed people do not read this book, if you enjoy calm gentle books this is the story for you. The things I personally like in this story is that it almost made me sob myself. It is so heartfelt for the touchy feely people you will be in tears at Susan Shaws knees. The most interesting character is the main character herself, Tracey. She is the original character that has to go thru this life transformation of healing from rape. I personally learned that fear is only an obstacle in life and usually everyone gets over it. Even though this book is almost good for me, I feel as if I would never like to read a book from this author ever again.

[Anni · Rating 4 out of 5]

„Zerbrochen“ von Susan Shaw ist ein berührender und intensiver Roman, der sich mit den unmittelbaren Folgen einer Vergewaltigung beschäftigt. Die 13-jährige Tracy wird an einem scheinbar normalen Tag Opfer einer schrecklichen Tat, die ihr Leben von Grund auf verändert. Das Buch beleuchtet die ersten Monate nach diesem traumatischen Ereignis und schildert fühlbar, wie Tracy versucht, mit ihrem Schmerz und ihren Ängsten umzugehen.

Besonders eindrucksvoll ist, wie authentisch die Autorin die Gefühle der Hauptfigur darstellt: von Selbsthass über Isolation bis hin zur verzerrten Wahrnehmung, wie andere sie sehen. Dabei stehen insbesondere die Unterstützung von Freunden, ihrem Vater und ihrer Musik im Mittelpunkt.

Der Schreibstil ist schlicht, aber emotional und hat es geschafft, mich als Leserin zu fesseln. Allerdings hätte dem Buch meiner Meinung nach etwas mehr Raum gutgetan, um die Entwicklung von Tracy und ihren Heilungsprozess intensiver zu beleuchten.

Insgesamt ist „Zerbrochen“ ein lesenswertes Buch, das sich sensibel und respektvoll mit einem schwierigen Thema auseinandersetzt. Es zeigt eindrucksvoll, wie ein Trauma das Leben verändern kann, und lässt dennoch Hoffnung auf Heilung und Stärke.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a few books over the years about victims of rape or sexual abuse but never with so young a protagonist. (Excusing the prologue of Living Dead Girl). While it did make the crime more horrific it also meant that the dialogue and emotions she was feeling unrealistic for her age and situation. Obviously someone would be severely emotionally damaged and would turn to an outlet like piano, but was the seclusion and delirious-ness also realistic? I loved the part where she would test how far she could leave her house. As an analysis of preteen behaviour and friendships, Safe is a wonderful testament to how girls react when something tragic happens. As a novel, it left me wanting more and not really understanding where the novel was going. I had assumed that the rape would lead her down a dark path as a teenager but instead the entire novel was over the course of the two months following the day. I've never read something that stuck so close to the rape event but at the same time it didn't allow the reader to fully understand how someone grows and changes their personality and lifestyle.

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

After thirteen-year-old Tracy is raped and left for dead, she just wants to forget that anything happened to her. She no longer feels safe going outside, so in an attempt to regain feelings of security, she practices the piano for several hours each day. Although her friends try to encourage her to participate in her former hobbies and her father thinks therapy will be helpful, Tracy thinks she can get through things in her own way.

This book doesn't have the edge of Speak, but it'd actually be a good one to use in combination with Speak, as readers could then discuss the similarities and differences between the two stories. Shaw handles the topic of rape without providing any gory details. I thought the ending was a little too simplistic, but at the same time, it's appropriate for younger readers.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about the aftermath of a rape. The author deals with the rape sensitively. It is not graphic at all because the story is about Tracey and how she deals with her life, her friends, her dad after the horrible deed is done. She is afraid to leave the house and her dad for a while. Her friends want to help, but she thinks they only pity her. It takes a while but through the help of those who love her and her music, Tracey begins to feel safe out in the world once again. Beautifully done.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about a teenager who is raped and has to deal with the emotional aftermath of the rape. Personally, I didn't much care for it. It was rather slow, and boring. I did feel greatly for Tracy. I can't imagine what she went through. I can understand that it would truly frighten anyone, especially a vulnerable teenager. Thankfully, she had her Pa, and her good friends Caroline and Mayella to help her through.

[Susan Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great portrayal of recovering from a sexual assault. The 13-yaer-old protagonist at first doesn't feel safe outside of her house - even walking down the street to visit her best friend. It takes almost a year before she is able to feel more or less herself again. Not for everyone due to the subject matter, but the right reader will really get drawn in.

[Kristina Mathioudakis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A very quick read with a heavy topic, but not completely engaging. I've been busy with midterms but was looking for something to get me out of my reading slump. This wasn't it.

[Shannon Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short book about a girl who was brutally attacked, raped and left for dead at the age of 13.

At times it was brilliant, heart-wrenching and so real and intense. I've read a ton of books like this, and I feel like it fits very well in the family of sexual assault survivor YA novels. My only real complaint is that because of the brevity, I felt like there wasn't as much depth as I'd have liked. It felt like we got a climax where the main character, Tracy, had her breakdown moment, then had her epiphany and was pretty much ok right after, but we didn't really get to explore that transition from feeling like she was drowning and not being able to handle it, and the shift in perspective, to where she was ok again. I would have liked much more exploration of that shift. And ok, there were times where it felt like Tracy was older than her thirteen years, but then again, she did experience something incredibly traumatic, so it does make sense she'd have to mature pretty quickly after that. But otherwise I felt it was a great book, and fits into that family of books very well. And I especially liked that this book touched on the fact that after a traumatic event like rape, the victim's perspective shifts, not only in their own world, but how they think others perceive them. Tracy often thought that when people looked at her, all they saw were her scars, all they did was pity her, and they didn't even want to be around her, which was all false. Often, trauma will skew someone's perspective, and take over their world so much that it affects how they think other people perceive them, and that can isolate them even more. I loved that this book explored that, because it's a huge thing that can be forgotten in all the trauma.

All in all, I thought this was a good book, and I'm happy to add it to my collection. Now I've just gotta hunt down a nicer (non-ex-library) copy.

[Ali Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read more at http://rainbowreviews.wix.com/reading free or on Instagram @RainbowReviewsKC

Gut Instinct Rating - 4
Story Line - 5
Writing Style - 4
Characters - 3
Excitement Factor - 4
Believability for type and topics - 5
Similarity to other books - 4
Dust Jacket Art - 5
Title Relevance - 4

It was a normal day, June 15th. But Caroline's door shut, and a horrible door opened for Tracy. The door of a car. And the next thing she knew, she was in the emergency room. Her life would forever be changed by that day. But with efforts from her friends, her dad, and her piano teacher, she thinks she'll make it back to school and resume a normal life.

You may like this book if you like the following sub-genres:

Sexual Assault
Recovery
Friendship
Music

Let me start by saying that if you've been assaulted, this book could be a replica of any one of our journals. My heart literally raced through the entire book because I was like, "YES, I GET IT, TRACY... I GET IT!" Had I known this book would have this effect on me, I wouldn't have started it tonight... it would've become a Sunday morning book that I could dwell on while the rain came down. It's that kind of book. That being said, I really wanted to give this a 5, but it just lacked a little too much. (Although, this book will forever be up there with Speak.)

The characters in this book were just so inconsistent and lacked any real growth. And maybe I'm expecting too much out of a 13-year-old girl, 'cause I surely wasn't recovering that quickly, that young. The first thing I noticed was that it was mum and pa. And those aren't traditional names for mom and dad here in the states..., so when I found out the author was actually from Pennsylvania, I was quickly curious about how this book was set in the states with a different vocabulary. So that was really frustrating... as little as it seems, you want the consistency of a novel to flow... from start to finish. Aside from this, Tracy was a great character. But it felt like the author knew how great she was and didn't put as much emphasis on the remaining characters. I have a huge question about why the mother had died. I didn't feel as if the story required her to be dead. And why was the death so far in the past? I feel like if you're going to bring up the death of character, it should be recent... or incredibly memorable. Tracy was only 3 when her mother died, so she doesn't remember much... but we are constantly reminded of her mother's death. So I felt like there was something unfinished there. I would've much rather had the mom alive -- or if death was necessary for the book, which the author obviously felt it was, why not have the death closer in time? After all, we're implying that a father can't possible know how to handle a sexual assault of his 13-year old daughter - that a mother's absence could potentially contribute to a lack of things. Yet, we turn around and the father is the highlight of this daughter's world. Which I also thought was strange. Not that he played such a large role, but the role he played didn't feel like a father who's daughter was just assaulted.
[Click and drag to move] ​

Maybe that makes less since to me, maybe it makes more... I'm not entirely sure given my history - but I felt that his role was just there by default, almost. The piano teacher... for christ's sakes! She was supposed to be the stand-in-mother. Every story has one when a parent is gone. There's always a secondary role model - a teacher, a coach, a neighbor. But the piano teacher's presence at the end - she just disappears! Where's the closure? Where's the congratulatory event? Just, poof... gone. The friends were all pretty well done. Caroline played a large role in the story, but I didn't feel she played a relevant role. That might be a curious statement, but I didn't feel like she did anything (other than exist as a friend, ie: a point of drama) that was super empowering or degrading. She just existed... and I wasn't really satisfied with that. So, clearly... characters in this book just weren't all there for me. I was left wanting more.

The unique thing about this book, as I've already compared it to Speak, is that we didn't witness the recovery. Which seems normal enough, but in books like these - in books where we witness so much of the grief, it's only satisfying to also receive the recovery end. I actually liked that this book left that out (and I also really wanted the recovery part in there, too) because we focused on the immediate moments after an assault and how one copes with their world after that moment. It had been a few months after the assault, and we were starting to see things shift that way, but I'm glad this book focused so much on the now, and not the then. Because it's not something we see often.

The writing style was really basic, but something about it makes your heart spin and your stomach fill with butterflies. Something about it was rushed, but relaxing. It was all the things you feel after an assault - the curiosity, the hatred of others, of yourself, the disappointment in not being able to protect yourself, in others not being there at that moment, the questions, the feelings... all these things are so perfectly illustrated in this book - and this paired with the uniqueness, it escalates this story simply by existing. I hate to call this book "exciting," because it's anything but an exciting subject matter, but the fact that I was so focused on this book tells me that the author did something right.

I didn't really care for the title - I think it goes back to the mother being dead and how the mother's death really impacts the story. Did I understand why it was chosen - sure. The mother died and it's brought up numerous times throughout the brief 170 pages... but, if I was the editor behind this book, it wouldn't have been my first choice for titles. I'm not sure what I would've chosen, honestly. Once a title is out there, sometimes it's hard to think of the book in any other way... which is typically why authors don't chose their own titles because they're too close to the story and they have a different idea than an editor... who reads (often without a title) and can create their own perspective of the book. I'm not sure which order things took place for this book, but Safe was just not what I would've titled it. (Although, it's a big part of why I chose the book.) The cover art was dead on. The hardback is a hideous pale green, and I'm still trying not to vomit over someone's decision to use this color since the dust jacket is black and orange... but I'll go with it since it's on the shelf.

[Makena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Safe

The main character in safe is Tracy. When Tracey was a teenager she lost her mom. Tracy is still able to get through her normal day life because she still feels her mom's presence and she feels safe. Later throughout the story when Tracey is walking home from school she gets snached off the side of the road and is kidnapped. That “Safe” feeling is no longer inside her or with her. When Tracy later finds a way back home some people are gossiping about her and making fun of her. She is later able to get through all of this. She is able to work through this terrible trauma and and find “safe” in mom’s arms again.
I enjoyed reading this book the quality of the writing was very good. It was easy to understand and it wasn’t in weird font. It was also clear and wasn’t to small. The characters were well talked about and I knew when each character was talking and when they stopped. I felt like I could tell what the plot of the book was. This book wasn’t that hard to read and the words in the book weren’t very hard. I felt like this book was well written and had a pretty good plot.
I don’t have a connection personally to this story but I do know someone who had this happen to them. It was one of my sisters friends. I have also heard many stories in the news and on the internet about this. As far as books go, I haven't read any other books about anything like this but i’ve watch movies and shows about this. They are usually cop shows and shows involving the the police. I feel like this kind of stuff happens a lot in this world. It isn’t good at all and it shouldn’t be happening but it does. These are the only connections that I could think of.

[Stephenie Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Safe by Susan Shaw is a raw, heartfelt, and deeply moving novel that lingers with you long after the final page. Through the voice of thirteen-year-old Tracy, Shaw takes readers on a courageous journey through trauma, survival, and healing.

From the very beginning, Shaw captures the essence of what “safe” means to a child love, security, and the comforting presence of a parent. When that safety is brutally stolen, the novel does not shy away from the devastating reality of assault. Yet, what makes Safe remarkable is the way it balances honesty with hope. Shaw never diminishes the gravity of Tracy’s experience, but instead highlights her resilience, drawing strength from poetry, music, friends, and the lasting memory of her mother.

The writing is both sensitive and powerful, offering young readers empathy and understanding, while giving adult readers a painful but necessary reminder of the strength it takes to rebuild. Tracy’s voice is authentic and vulnerable, making her healing journey not just believable, but inspiring.

Safe is more than a story about survival, it is about the human capacity for recovery, love, and reclaiming a sense of self after loss and violence. It is an important, compassionate book that will resonate with anyone who has faced hardship, as well as those seeking to better understand the resilience of young survivors.

Highly recommended for readers of contemporary YA, educators, and anyone who values stories that speak to both pain and the enduring power of hope.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Safe by Susan Shaw is a raw, courageous, and deeply moving novel that does not shy away from difficult truths. At its heart, this story follows thirteen-year-old Tracy, whose sense of safety is shattered after a violent crime. What makes the book stand out is how Shaw navigates trauma and recovery with both honesty and compassion. Rather than focusing solely on the horror of the event, the narrative centers on Tracy’s resilience her struggle to reclaim her voice and her healing through poetry, music, and the support of loved ones.

The prose is simple yet powerful, allowing readers to connect immediately with Tracy’s emotions. Shaw captures the inner conflict of grief, fear, and hope in a way that feels authentic to a young teen’s perspective. The presence of Tracy’s late mother, woven into the story, adds a poignant and comforting layer, reminding us how memory and love can serve as anchors in the darkest times.

While the subject matter is heavy, Shaw handles it with sensitivity, making this not just a story of trauma but one of courage, survival, and the power of community. It is a book that will resonate strongly with teens and adults alike, particularly those drawn to stories of healing and resilience.

A difficult but important read Safe is ultimately a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

[Mary Crawford]

Susan Shaw’s Safe is a courageous and unflinching exploration of trauma, recovery, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. The story follows thirteen-year-old Tracy, whose sense of security is shattered after being abducted. Rather than sensationalizing the crime, Shaw directs the narrative toward the emotional aftermath, offering a nuanced portrayal of a survivor’s struggle to reclaim safety and identity.

Shaw’s prose is both delicate and powerful, balancing raw emotion with moments of grace. Poetry and music play a symbolic role in Tracy’s healing process, making this a layered and thought-provoking read. The novel provides a vital message for young adult readers — that healing is possible, and support systems matter.

With its sensitive handling of difficult themes, Safe belongs on the shelves of parents, educators, and counselors as an important conversation starter. Shaw has delivered not just a novel, but a compassionate guide through pain toward resilience.

[Spivey Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Safe is the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Susan Shaw doesn’t just tell Tracy’s story she lets you feel it. You feel the warmth of a mother’s memory, the terror of a moment that changes everything, and the slow, fragile process of learning to trust the world again.

This isn’t just a book about surviving something terrible, it’s a book about rebuilding yourself piece by piece. Tracy’s healing is messy, honest, and real, and you can’t help but root for her as she finds strength through poetry, music, and the people who refuse to let her go through this alone.

Shaw writes with a rare gentleness, reminding us that even in the worst moments, there is a path forward. Safe is heartbreaking and hopeful all at once a powerful companion for anyone who’s ever needed to find their way back to feeling safe.

[Marie Lorenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Safe by Susan Shaw, and I’m still sitting with all the emotions it stirred. This book broke my heart and then slowly pieced it back together. Tracy’s story is one of unimaginable pain, but also of incredible courage and healing. The way Shaw captures the mind of a thirteen-year-old who’s been through trauma feels so real, raw, unfiltered, but never hopeless. What I loved most was how Tracy’s connection to her mother’s memory becomes her anchor. The poetry, the music, the moments with friends and family they all weave together into a beautiful journey of finding light again. It’s not an easy read, but it’s such an important one. Susan Shaw handles the subject matter with sensitivity and grace, never sensationalizing, always humanizing. Safe reminds us that even in the darkest times, love and resilience can lead us home.

[Phoebe S.]

I picked up Safe not really knowing what to expect, but it absolutely gripped me from the first page. Susan Shaw writes with such emotional honesty that Tracy’s experience feels heartbreakingly real. What she goes through is devastating, but what struck me most was her strength even when she doesn’t realize she has it. The way Shaw explores grief, trauma, and the bond between mother and daughter is beautifully done. I especially loved how Tracy finds comfort through poetry and music it’s such a tender reminder of how art can help us heal. This isn’t a light story, but it’s one that needs to be told. Shaw doesn’t shy away from the hard parts, yet she somehow leaves you with hope. Safe is one of those rare books that changes the way you see resilience and recovery. I won’t forget Tracy’s story anytime soon.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaw, Susan Safe, 168 p.

First Tracy is waving good-bye to her best friend after the last day of seventh grade. Then she is left for dead on her front lawn after she is kidnapped and raped by someone she knows. Now she must find her way back from this traumatic experience. She's lost her feeling of connection to her best friend, to her father, and the important feeling of connection to her mother, who passed away when she was small.

Safe and simple and eloquent, this book about the aftermath of rape is perfect for every middle school in the country.

MS - ESSENTIAL
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2008/...

[theStorykeeper · Rating 3 out of 5]

CW: rape (off-page), grief, brief suicidal ideation
+TW: emetophobia

maybe +3.5

A compassionate story that handled an important topic well. The post-traumatic thought process was well written. I loved the father-daughter relationship and that the author didn't feel the need to be graphic. However, the actual sequence of events of the rape and the aftermath were textbook - it's a story that (sadly) has been told before. That said, if you are looking for a hopeful version, I do recommend it. Based on the synopsis, I was expecting the MC's connection with her late mother to play a bigger role, and towards the end it got a little weird.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

safe by Susan shaw was an amazing book but sadly it hit way close to home I felt like I relived my experience all over again. this book sheds light on how a victim of sexual assault tries to move forward this is a different perspective.

[Bender · Rating 2 out of 5]

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[Kimberly Cayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heartbreaking story about a young girl's path to recovery after the unthinkable happens.

Worth a read.

[Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

80 out of a 100 times, we can't control what comes, what goes or what stays. But we can sure try to live with the results, because no one is actually safe, not now, not anywhere, not with anyone.

[Lavender Darcangelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautifully written. I think it was so beautiful how even years after Tracy's mother's death, she still feels the presence of her mother. This book explains what unconditional love really means, and that no matter what Tracy wentthrough, whether it was being raped and kidnapped, no matter what, nobody can take away her birthday.

[Stephanie (the nerdy princess) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Safe” by Susan Shaw is a good book. What caught my attention is the title and the what I read from the back of the book. The book is about a a girl, who is thirteen years old, whose mom past away when she was little. Even though her mom was dead she felt like her mom was always with her until the last day of school when she was walking home and since they came out early her block where she lives was lonely. Her best friend lives a couple house away so they walked together. On the last day they both walked home and her best friend Caroline went inside her house thinking nothing was wrong like if it was a usual day but it wasn't really because the thirteen year old girl got forced into a car and rapped and beat by one of the kids in her class older brother. The older brother who raped her left her out in the street after he beat her and raped her thinking she was dead but she wasn't. Her dad ended up finding her and took her to the hospital and the police arrested the guy. This really affected her and she didn't want to go outside of her house. After this she never felt safe again, she couldn't feel her moms protection anymore but she started to get better with the help of her best friend, dad, and playing the piano. I like really like this book because now I know its not safe anywhere even though you think it is and the most unexpected people can hurt you. I recommend people read this because they can maybe relate or learn something from this.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a pretty story but very real. The older brother of a neighbor violently attacks and rapes 13-year-old Tracey and leaves her for dead on the first day school was out for the summer, as she was walking home from school. The attack is not portrayed in the book; it is implies, thus, leaving the book appropriate for middle school. Tracey's struggle with her feelings, with relationships with friends, and with her own personal safety are explored thoroughly as she struggles through that difficult summer. Helping students to realize the importance of sharing their feelings is a point made in the book. A great point that is often not addressed is that a counselor may not be the one for you, but don't give up on counseling. A second counselor was able to break through the shell Tracey had built around herself and help he make real progress. It's a thought-provoking book, and the story isn't pretty, but young teen emotions, fears, and friendships are addressed in a realistic way that teens will relate to.

[Paige Y. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tracy’s mom died when she was three, but she’s always felt her presence with her, keeping her safe. That is, until the unthinkable occurs. On the last day of school in 7th grade, Tracy is kidnapped, raped, and left for dead on the side of the road. Suddenly nothing is safe.

Safe is the story of recovering from a trauma that goes deep in the soul. Tracy turns away from everything she has loved (except her father) – her friends, basketball, taking long hikes. She does find solace in music, discovering a love for the piano, and a talent for composing.

Many will compare this book to Speak, and that’s valid. I think they make good companion books. I didn’t like this one as much as I loved Speak, but then I didn’t expect to – Speak is one of my top ten young adult books and it would take an awful lot to top it. I did really enjoy Safe, though, and I think my upper middle school students will too.

[Hamza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing.Its about a boy that is bulied evrywhere scince nursery.So this poor boy always went to his mother and told her about everything and she defended him as a mother.So when he grew up his mother died and so every body starts bulieng him so he just hided the whole mother died and so every body starts bulieng him so he just hid the whole time.then one day he stoud for his self and nobody else bulied him again.I agree with this persone because if you showed that your weak then everybody else will start bulieng him so he better stand for hiself

I think that this book is a realy good book because it shows how confident should people be.So I realy like it for people that need to be much more confident.I like this book because it shows how a babyish became a strong person.I definetly agree with this author because he shows how people should be.This person was a shy person.So now h became one of the most popular persones at school