05/29/2017
After learning that she’s pregnant, 17-year-old photographer Audrey Spencer faces overwhelming choices that will affect her future. With her dreams of art school and adventures with her friends and musician boyfriend, Julian, slipping away, Audrey reflects on her childhood and her relationship with her adopted mother, considers baby names with Julian, and researches the possibility of termination. As Audrey and her best friend Rose drift apart, both keeping heavy secrets, and Audrey pushes away others who care for her, she tries to find a middle ground between self-care and fear. A letter from Audrey’s birth mother plays an integral role in her decision, but the choice is ultimately what she believes is best for herself, Julian, and a potential child. Audrey’s emotions swing wildly; she alternately lashes out and seeks reassurance, candidly portraying the all-consuming and delicate nature of her situation and the choice she faces. Debut author Barrow opts for realism over a scared-straight approach to teen pregnancy, which readers will appreciate. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jennifer Johnson-Blalock, Liza Dawson Associates. (Aug.)
[Barrow] steadily resists cliché and tired tropes all the way to the novel’s deeply felt, unflinching conclusion. This compelling, closely observed debut charts its appealing characters’ difficult journey with clarity and honesty.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“It’s unfair to call this simply a book about teen pregnancy... Barrow has crafted soulful, complex characters who will resonate with readers who’ve had to contemplate the weight of their decisions upon their futures and themselves.” — Booklist
“Audrey’s emotions swing wildly; she candidly portrays the all-consuming and delicate nature of her situation and the choice she faces. Debut author Barrow opts for realism over a scared-straight approach to teen pregnancy, which readers will appreciate.” — Publishers Weekly
“In both its humor and in its aching, You Don’t Know Me but I Know You is the most honest book I’ve read in ages.” — Emery Lord, author of The Start of Me and You and When We Collided
“Both relentlessly honest and relentlessly hopeful, You Don’t Know Me but I Know You stands out as a book that cares profoundly about the power of friendship and the thrill of getting to know yourself. Above all else, it’s a testament to the bravery, brightness, and beauty of teenaged girls.” — Corey Ann Haydu, author of OCD Love Story and Life by Committee
“You Don’t Know Me but I Know You is a heartfelt, powerful examination of family: the one we’re born to, the one we choose, and the one that chooses us. Rebecca Barrow’s novel feels all at once heartbreaking, hopeful, and true.” — Janet McNally, author of Girls in the Moon
“Honest, nuanced, and achingly authentic, You Don’t Know Me but I Know You is both sensitive and unflinching in its portrayal of life-shattering choices and their aftermaths. It’s populated with strong female friendships that feel more like a sisterhood.” — Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of Firsts
“The debut author adeptly portrays the weight of the decision-making process and its effect on all of the characters... This is a good read for realistic fiction fans who enjoy YA with complicated relationships.” — School Library Journal
Both relentlessly honest and relentlessly hopeful, You Don’t Know Me but I Know You stands out as a book that cares profoundly about the power of friendship and the thrill of getting to know yourself. Above all else, it’s a testament to the bravery, brightness, and beauty of teenaged girls.
In both its humor and in its aching, You Don’t Know Me but I Know You is the most honest book I’ve read in ages.
“You Don’t Know Me but I Know You is a heartfelt, powerful examination of family: the one we’re born to, the one we choose, and the one that chooses us. Rebecca Barrow’s novel feels all at once heartbreaking, hopeful, and true.
Honest, nuanced, and achingly authentic, You Don’t Know Me but I Know You is both sensitive and unflinching in its portrayal of life-shattering choices and their aftermaths. It’s populated with strong female friendships that feel more like a sisterhood.
It’s unfair to call this simply a book about teen pregnancy... Barrow has crafted soulful, complex characters who will resonate with readers who’ve had to contemplate the weight of their decisions upon their futures and themselves.
It’s unfair to call this simply a book about teen pregnancy... Barrow has crafted soulful, complex characters who will resonate with readers who’ve had to contemplate the weight of their decisions upon their futures and themselves.
07/01/2017
Gr 9 Up—A contemporary YA that examines the impact of a life-changing choice. Audrey is a black 17-year-old artist who has just found out that she's pregnant. Her best friend Rose is strangely emotionally unavailable, and Audrey is ashamed of her current situation. Her boyfriend Julian is supportive, but he's a musician with an opportunity to attend a music academy. Audrey receives encouragement and support from her adoptive mother Laura and her stepfather Alex. They work to provide a relatively judgment-free zone for Audrey and Julian to make a decision that will affect the rest of their lives. A recent letter from the protagonist's birth mother shines a different light on her adoption and her birth mother's life after adoption. The teens experience all the thrills of being potential parents and the agony of maybe missing out on their own opportunities. Both work together to figure out the best path. The debut author adeptly portrays the weight of the decision-making process and its effect on all of the characters. The birth mother's role is superficial, but otherwise this is a good read for realistic fiction fans who enjoy YA with complicated relationships. VERDICT A strong choice for large YA collections.—Desiree Thomas, Worthington Library, OH
★ 2017-05-24
Audrey's grateful for the life her teen birth mother gave her with a loving adoptive mother; 17 years later, Audrey, confused and fearful of making the wrong choice, must deal with her own unplanned pregnancy. Brown-skinned, mixed-race Audrey's white birth mother, Amanda, chose Laura as her parent in a closed adoption. Laura's partner, Adam (both are white), now lives with Laura and Audrey. Dreaming of a career in photography, Audrey knows she's not working at her full potential. She has a loving, stable home; great friends diverse in both race and sexuality; and a wonderful musician boyfriend, Julian. Julian's white, Jewish family is as fond of Audrey as hers is of Julian. Audrey's pregnancy is a shock; they'd used birth control. They're in love, determined to make the right choice, whatever that is. Their families accept their choice and will support it, once made. Audrey trusts Julian will be there for her; but a baby would reshape their lives, futures they're still planning. Abortion is scary; adoption is hard. Audrey's kept Amanda's letter that expresses the hope that Laura can give Audrey the life Amanda cannot. When a new letter arrives from Amanda, Audrey doesn't read it. Barrow's precise, third-person, past-tense narration captures Audrey's turmoil as time begins to run out; she's immobilized by indecision and anxiety, at odds with friends, family, even Julian. She steadily resists cliché and tired tropes all the way to the novel's deeply felt, unflinching conclusion. This compelling, closely observed debut charts its appealing characters' difficult journey with clarity and honesty. (Fiction. 14-18)
