You Too?: 25 Voices Share Their #MeToo Stories

Gr 9 Up–Crystal Kite Award Finalist Gurtler has gathered 25 people willing to share their experiences with sexual harassment, rape, and sexual assault. Of these 25 voices, only one identifies as male, but they all represent different races, sexual orientations, and various backgrounds. Some of these #MeToo stories happened when the authors were children or teens, while some experiences occurred when they were adults. Some took place over multiple periods in their life. The alleged assailants were not limited to strangers. They were neighbors, teachers, family members, other adults, and peers. Each contributor bravely and powerfully shares their experiences, and how they were affected. They also explain why they did or didn’t speak up at the time. Words of encouragement and support are tastefully woven into the stories. YA author Mischa Thrace states, “The silence isn’t forever. But it’s okay if it is.” Many essayists provide facts about the subject at hand and disprove the beliefs of critics and skeptics. Each of the featured narratives will have varying levels of impact. Some of the content could be triggering. Readers may find themselves questioning why some voices were included and some were left out. However, these types of questions prove that sharing these deeply personal experiences is all the more necessary.