Review: Want to Go Private?

Want to Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman

Summary (from Goodreads): Abby and Luke chat online. They’ve never met. But they are going to. Soon.

Abby is starting high school—it should be exciting, so why doesn’t she care? Everyone tells her to “make an effort,” but why can’t she just be herself? Abby quickly feels like she’s losing a grip on her once-happy life. The only thing she cares about anymore is talking to Luke, a guy she met online, who understands. It feels dangerous and yet good to chat with Luke—he is her secret, and she’s his. Then Luke asks her to meet him, and she does. But Luke isn’t who he says he is. When Abby goes missing, everyone is left to put together the pieces. If they don’t, they’ll never see Abby again.

My Thoughts: Let me just say this up-front, this review might have minor spoilers. It’s impossible for me to discuss it in depth without including them. So, if you don’t want to know what’s coming, stop reading.

The book is told in three parts. Part 1 is told solely in Abby’s point of view, and it’s about events leading up to her disappearance. Part 2 is while she’s missing, from the perspective of her friends and her sister. Part 3 is the aftermath, in much the same style as Part 2. I like that throughout the book, we only get a teenager’s perspective. I think that’s important for the message. The reader can fully understand how Abby was feeling and why she did what she did – while at the same time wanting to smack the girl, knowing she’s making some BAD choices. The reader then gets a glimpse of how everyone left behind has to deal with the what-ifs and fear. Will she come back alive? Where is she? Why? And so on. And finally, we see the aftermath – how it affects everyone. Not just the victim, but her family and her friends. Heck, even her whole school. I think this is good because it hopefully can open some teens’ eyes to the fact that we aren’t the only ones who stand to suffer for poor choices we make. Our loved ones suffer, too – not just while things are occurring, but also after. Regardless of what happens. Regardless of whether or not the individual makes it through, life will never be the same for anyone involved.

The narrative is engaging, sickening, and chock-full of information. The author has it right that most kids likely “listen” to Internet safety lessons with an attitude of disbelief. “It’ll never happen to me.” This book answers that by taking one of the smartest kids in school and making her vulnerable. The events that unfold, as well as the aftermath, really make the reader think. Hopefully this book can be used to open up a dialogue with young teens on the topic of Internet safety. Hopefully it can get through to them better than any lessons offered by schools, parents, and law-enforcement agencies.

Littman does an excellent job approaching this subject. This is a very tricky, chilling, scary subject. She handles it tastefully, without glossing it over. Enough of the details are shared before Abby actually meets “Luke” that the reader is fully aware of what transpires once she’s gone. While some small tidbits are shown in flashback scenes, we never fully see what transpires. By taking us to the perspectives of those left behind, the author spares us from having to go through the whole ordeal with Abby. The subject matter – as well as the scenes we do “see” – is disturbing enough that not having to read it all is a good thing.

This book will make you think. I am a mother of two girls (and one boy), and this book was a scary wake-up call. Parents are painfully unaware of what their kids do online. While I likely won’t remember all the little details for long, the lessons learned from this book will stay with me as my daughters approach their more vulnerable years.

Favorite Quote: This isn’t actually in the narrative, but it’s the dedication.

To the dedicated men and women of the law enforcement community who face ugliness every day in the effort to keep our kids safe

When I read that, I knew EXACTLY what I was in for. And, believe me, I too am grateful for those who work hard to help protect our children.

Source: Received through Around The World Tours for review.

Read It: Want to Go Private? is scheduled for release on August 1, 2011. You can pre-order your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

Challenges: Counts for the 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge.

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FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.

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