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Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2011:
"A tender, complex character study...Crisp, revealing dialogue, measured pacing and candid, unaffected prose round out this illuminating novel in which any reader can find someone to root for or relate to. Unforgettable."
New York Times Book Review, August 21, 2011:
"As the story builds to its tumultuous conclusion, Mikey and Ellie have to make the inevitable choice between new love and old allegiances...The hard question at the heart of this book — what would you do? — doesn’t have a single answer. For her young readers, Downham frames it remarkably well.”
Starred Review, School Library Journal, November 1, 2011:
"Downham brilliantly captures the struggle of these two star-crossed lovers as they navigate the stormy waters of family loyalty, social workers and legal systems, job and school. With touching honesty, she brings her characters to life in this poignant story of love and choice. Mesmerizing."
A tender, complex character study from the author of Before I Die (2007).
Mikey is a boy from the housing projects, working as a dishwasher in a pub to try and keep his fatherless family together. Ellie is a daughter from a privileged family whose biggest worry is passing her final exams. When Mikey's sister Karyn claims she was raped by Ellie's brother Tom at a party, Mikey cruelly plans to use Ellie to get close to Tom in order to exact revenge. Instead, the impossible happens: Mikey and Ellie fall in love. Now each feels that to swear allegiance to the other will tear their families apart. And when Ellie decides to change her statement about what she witnessed that fateful night, each family must come to terms with the inevitable consequences. In Dowham's capable hands, what could be the sordid topic of a daytime talk show instead becomes a graceful catalyst that tempers and transforms Ellie and Mikey, who only want to do what's right but aren't sure how. The secondary characters are equally vivid, especially Mikey's overwhelmed alcoholic Mum and Ellie's tormenting and tormented brother Tom. Crisp, revealing dialogue, measured pacing and candid, unaffected prose round out this illuminating novel in which any reader can find someone to root for or relate to.
Unforgettable. (Fiction. 14 & up)
In this story, a girl by the name of Karyn (fifteen-years-old) says she was lured to Tom Parker's home and was "taken advantage of against her will." Tom Parker goes to court, and Karyn doesn't want to leave her house - simply because of the fact that society is what it is and somehow Tom is the stud and she is the harpy. But this book doesn't revolve around these two characters. The center of this tale belongs to Mikey and Ellie. Mikey is the brother of Karyn. This is a young man who takes care of his two sisters and his mother, working constantly to provide protection for his all-female family. Mikey is a good boy but extremely tired of his life, and the whole mess with Karyn has angered him beyond belief. His younger sister, Holley, is someone he wants to watch over so she's not involved in this trouble. Karyn is housebound and barely eats anymore, while his mother drinks and disappears a great deal. All he wants is to head to Tom Parker's house and make him pay. From keying Tom's fancy canary-yellow car to dreaming of beating him to death, Mikey has no idea the next steps to take. Tom Parker is a jerk. But his sister, Ellie, loves him. She is the girl who was in the house when this 'horrific moment' took place, and she is the only witness who can truly say how guilty or how innocent her brother may be. Her father is a die-hard, tough lawyer who knows he will get his son out of this mess. While her mother is basically a society woman who simply shrugs her shoulders when her friends ask about the incident, smiles, and throws a party. In fact, she throws a rather large one when Tom is released on bail. She even has caterers bring the right food so everyone can have a ball. What happens? Mikey and Ellie find themselves falling for each other in the middle of this whole mess, and romance and loyalty to one's own family meet head-to-head. The struggles, tension, and almost 'serene beauty' of watching two innocent people try to find a way to be together while staying true to their loved ones is traumatic, sad, and extraordinary. Mikey and Ellie are the center of the violent tornado as they are pitted against each other to try and deal with the harsh topic of sexual assault. This amazing writer has done it again by reaching into the YA world as deeply as she possibly can to focus on issues that are "too difficult" to even think about, not to mention see play out in the real world. Quill says: No reader will forget this story!
17 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.You Against Me has to be one of the most touching stories I've read in a long time. It involves two families, both being torn apart by an irresponsible decision made by two immature teenagers, and two individuals who get ripped apart inside by love and doing what's right for their families.
Mikey's sister says that a boy name Tom raped her. When all this comes out in the open, their lives completely take a turn for the worse. Karyn refuses to leave the house, their mother is slowly drowning herself in pain and guilt, and Mikey is killing his brain trying to figure out how to make things better for them all. He's angry and wants justice.
Ellie's brother Tom says he is innocent. Ellie feels it's her job to protect her brother and believe in him. Her family is suffering because of Karyn's accusations. All she wants is for life to go back to the way it was before Karyn. It's killing her to watch her brother worrying all the time and always on edge.
What they both need is a way to clear their heads. For something to distract them from everything that is going on. To feel alive and pretend for one second that their lives are completely different. They find this by being with each other knowing that any minute this can all blow over their heads. They begin sneaking around with each other and giving each comfort that they couldn't find anywhere else. Of course there are trust issues between the two, but they never once doubt how they feel for each other. Neither one of them expected to fall in love. The guilt of betraying their families was big on their heart.
I was seriously at the edge of my seat with hundreds of butterflies in my stomach whenever they got together in the book. I was waiting for them to get caught, or for something crazy to happen. I felt so bad for them and their families, but I was rooting for them. They just needed to be together.
Jenny Downham touches a very scary and intense subject that I believe can help victims who have or know someone who has gone through something like this. Not so much the romance part of it, but the issue of rape. Mikey and Ellie's world was so believable, that I felt like I was going through it all along with them. I don't know what I would do if I was torn between the truth and a lie. When the truth finally comes out, things just get even more extreme for Mikey and Ellie and they find themselves even more lost and confused than before. This story was just beautiful in every way. The outcome was heartbreaking, but a relief at the same time. I loved it!
You Against Me is definitely for a much more mature audience.
5 out of 5 Stars!
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MarieRyan
Posted November 25, 2011
It took me 4 hours to read this book!!!
and I would re-read it :)
usually the thought of reading a story I've already read isn't too appealing to me, but this book is amazing enough to be read multiple times!!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 8, 2012
I loved this book soooo much! But i wish it wold have given a lil more at the end? What happens 2 Tom? Do Mickey and Ellie stay together??????:)
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.lovebooksMC
Posted January 26, 2012
It's an amazing story, one that shows growth in the characters and one that invokes emotion because of the topic being discussed. Throughout the book you will experience anger, frustration, sadness, and hope. It's a story worth reading, it's a story that tells both sides and in telling both sides, by the end of the book you are able to experience all characters and go through changes with the ones who change.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 18, 2011
This type of book isn't one I would usually read but if you're like me sometimes you read books from the library too fast and the books you have on hold are not available yet you have to pick something else from the shelf. Now I was not disappointed with the story, actually it was extremely interesting and seemed so believable. Rape is a serious issue and the way the writer delves into the characters' lives leaves you a little stunned. Not the most fast paced action packed book by far however the slower motions of the book are forgiven with the appeal of the intricate lives of these teens and their families.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Joceyxs
Posted January 3, 2013
This book was just hard for me to put down. I couldn't stop reading this book. When I first read the first chapter I couldn't put the book down I wanted to continue to read what would happen next. In this book Karyn doesn't want to leave her home because she was "taken advantage" by Tom Parker. She is afraid of what people/ society will think of her.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 17, 2012
One of the best romances ever! Couldn't put it down!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 1, 2012
Very good book!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 2, 2012
I love this book, amazing story bad ending,i like the charectors,the book was very realistic luv the book <3
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 13, 2012
This is a beautiful book. With such amazing characters, they all felt real. Innocent or guilty, I felt for all of them. Highly recommend!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 10, 2012
Great powerful plot, many girls can relate to the situation. Whether its through themselves or someone they know. Bad ending, you never find out what the verdict was on the boy charged with the assault!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 22, 2013
I haven't read this book yet, but i have a feeling karyn is lying. Unless im dead wrong.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 22, 2012
I couldnt finish it. I got to about page 150 and then I became bored. I give it two stars.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 7, 2012
Lolololil
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 30, 2012
...
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 6, 2012
I just got done reading this book yesterday and I finished it in half a day. There are some points in the book I would not label for litttle kids. More for people over the age of 14.
Ellie meets Mikey who is seeking revenge on the boy named Tom who is 18 and assult his 15 year old sister Karyn.
He finds revenge in Tom's little sister who had just turned 16 herself. Ellie lies to the police in her statement and Mikey, Tom, and Ellie all have a very heated scene.
Anonymous
Posted March 27, 2012
its an amazing story and very powerfull.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 3, 2012
This book was one of the best i had ever read. The concept was great and it was fantastically written. I highly recommend this story to anyone and everyone.
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Posted February 9, 2012
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Overview
If your brother's accused of a terrible crime but says he didn't do it, you defend him.
When Mikey's sister claims a boy assaulted her, his world begins to fall apart. When Ellie's brother is charged with the offense, her world begins to unravel. When Mikey and Ellie...