First Time
by Meg Tilly
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- Commended, CCBC Best Books
- Short-listed, Golden Eagle Award nominee
- Short-listed, YALSA Quick Picks
Haley and Lynn are best friends. When Lynn meets Chad, a player several years older, Haley feels left out. She tries to be happy for her friend, but when her mother's new boyfriend starts making unwanted advances, Haley finds she has no one to tell. Not wanting to upset her mother's happiness and finding that Lynn is drifting away, Haley has to face her tormentor alone and face up to some very hard truths.
close this panel"Get off!" I push at him hard, with both hands. The next thing I know, he's pinned my hands over my head. I'm stunned how fast this guy can move. "It seems that we've fallen," he says, like he's talking about the color of his necktie.
"Fast-paced, with short chapters and high-interest content. Haley's thought process...is heartbreaking."
"Tilly has written in an immediate, sometimes raw manner."
"A lightning-quick read that...will likely provoke some discussion among young people about how to handle difficult situations."
"Teens will find themselves engrossed in this tale of sexual abuse. Self-examination is just one of the outcomes for those who read this tale. Recommended.'
"A fast-paced, intense novel that is sure to keep you guessing and turning its pages...definitely worth a read."
"Tilly accomplishes her goal of getting into a teenager's head in 100 short pages, and the novel is riveting."
"Truly excellent tale...the voice and persona of Haley capture what is so worth cherishing in an adolescent."
"Captures the emotions and feelings of sixteen year old girls perfectly...a very good addition to the young adult genre."
"Realistic dialogue and situations characterize this novel. Struggling readers will appreciate the quick pacing and the low reading/high interest level."
"Tilly uses Haley's story as a way of discussing sexual abuse...The dialogue between Haley and her best friend...is indicative of what teens deal with on a daily basis."
"The lack of a sweetly tied up ending is a point in this title's favor, allowing the reader to come up with their own ideas... A possible high/low choice for high school age female readers."
"Mature readers will sympathize with Haley's difficult situation."
"First Time illustrates a dangerous situation in which Haley learns to regret ignoring her instincts...Recommended."
