The Nowhere Girls

**Trigger Warning: Rape and Sexual Assault**

By: Amy Reed

5/5 🚺

Happy International Women's Day! I chose this book to spotlight today because it truly changed my life. I am lucky enough to not relate the the women in this book, but this book finally brought me away from the narrative I have been raised with. As mentioned in previous posts, I grew up in a conservative area. They didn't necessarily say it was the victims' faults, but the #metoo movement was often bashed and discounted throughout the time that I've lived here.

The Nowhere Girls helped me understand why such a movement is so important. It helped me understand the injustice many victim's face. It helped me understand why people felt the need to do a Women's March. This book truly changed my outlook, and I think that's the purpose of reading. So, I chose this book to highlight all the women who have fought for our rights. All the women who share their story so that others can better understand. Amy Reed is who I would like to spotlight on this International Women's Day.

The Nowhere Girls follows the story of Grace, Rosina, and Erin. Grace is the new girl, who recently moved to the town after her mom changed views dramatically. Rosina is a queer, punk girl who lives with her conservative Mexican family of immigrants. Erin is the nerdy girl, who would rather be in Star Trek than real-life. On the surface, these three misfits have nothing in common, and shouldn't be friends - and they're not... at first. It isn't until Grace discovers information about her house's former occupant, Lucy, that the three begin a friendship.

Through stories and searches, Grace learns that Lucy was run out of town after accusing the most popular boy/football player of rape. Grace, Rosina, and Erin work to uncover buried secrets and demand justice for Lucy. It is during this hunt that they find there are other girls... many other girls... who have also face injustice. Told in alternative perspectives, The Nowhere Girls is a powerful read that will make anyone angry.

I devoured this book in one day, and it was perhaps one of the most heartbreaking reads. There were moments during this book that I truly felt queasy and nauseous because of the anger and sadness building inside me. I can't imagine how powerful this read could be for people who can relate more to it since it was so powerful to me. This book made me want to go out and march. It made me want to seek justice for my own community and make a change.

I read this book because it was required reading for my grad school, and I can't thank my professor enough for forcing me to read this. Normally, I would skip a book that is so difficult to read, but I think it was important. We can't just ignore problems because they're hard to hear and don't personally affect us. So, yes, this book absolutely changed my life, and I highly recommend it!!