Overview
Outrage surges through the community when EJ White, sixteen-year-old son of the wealthy and powerful District Attorney, is accused of raping his childhood friend, Kendra Daniels. When new evidence surfaces that appears to contradict Kendra's testimony, EJ takes the chance to get his conviction overturned. Sent to live with his aunt until the public controversy dies down, EJ recreates himself as Eric Madison, planning to keep his head down and just get through his senior year without discovery. Soon enough though, surprising friendships and even a budding romance draw him deeper into the persona. He discovers that being Eric allows him to play out a better version of himself, one without a guilty past to haunt him. But when news about Kendra forces him back into reality, will EJ choose to finally take responsibility for the damage he's done, even if it means sacrificing the happiness he's found as Eric? When so many perpetrators of sexual violence have been allowed to deny their actions, deflect blame, and avoid the consequences, what does it look like to ""do the right thing""? Is atonement or redemption even possible? If so, what might it require? Alternating between EJ's past and Eric's present, Open at Rock Bottom delves into the mind of a post-#MeToo teen perpetrator to explore how one young man navigates these largely uncharted waters.
Full Product Details
Author: L M Reed
Publisher: Malare Books
Imprint: Malare Books
Dimensions:
Width: 14.00cm
, Height: 2.40cm
, Length: 21.60cm
Weight: 0.617kg
ISBN: 9798987155004
Pages: 370
Publication Date: 21 February 2023
Audience:
Young adult
,
Teenage / Young adult
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Reviews
""Groundbreaking Topic--This is a book I could NOT put down. I always love books with well-developed characters about whom I really can relate to or come to care about...The pace was perfect. It kept me wondering and guessing about what would happen next. The concept is truly something new - the point of view of a young man who committed a crime...and now has to deal with the consequences of his actions."" --Review from School Librarian, Julie Masterson ""Beautifully Complex--An irresistibly compelling read! This story explores the murky ""gray area"" that exists inside all of us. Eric's experience is challenging, and though the book in no way excuses his behaviors, it allows us to - like Dr. Eduway suggests - see them from another perspective. ""Open at Rock Bottom"" is a true masterpiece, unafraid of poking/prodding at the messy complexities of being human."" --Review from ELA Teacher, Katie Allen ""Readers will instantly connect to this likeable but troubled main character as he tries to remake himself after committing a horrible crime. Ultimately he must face the pain he caused in order to move forward."" --Amazon Review
"""Groundbreaking Topic--This is a book I could NOT put down. I always love books with well-developed characters about whom I really can relate to or come to care about...The pace was perfect. It kept me wondering and guessing about what would happen next. The concept is truly something new - the point of view of a young man who committed a crime...and now has to deal with the consequences of his actions."" --Review from School Librarian, Julie Masterson ""Beautifully Complex--An irresistibly compelling read! This story explores the murky ""gray area"" that exists inside all of us. Eric's experience is challenging, and though the book in no way excuses his behaviors, it allows us to - like Dr. Eduway suggests - see them from another perspective. ""Open at Rock Bottom"" is a true masterpiece, unafraid of poking/prodding at the messy complexities of being human."" --Review from ELA Teacher, Katie Allen ""Readers will instantly connect to this likeable but troubled main character as he tries to remake himself after committing a horrible crime. Ultimately he must face the pain he caused in order to move forward."" --Amazon Review"
Author Information
L.M. Reed is a professional YA book pusher (AKA School Librarian) who lives in Rochester, NY with her current life partner, Nina, therapy dog extraordinaire. She's been creating stories since she was old enough to remember, frequently recruiting her friends to help act them out with the help of a fully stocked dress-up bin and ""prop closet.""
