Maybe He Just Likes You

by: Barbara Dee

Recommended Age (provided by publisher): 10+ years and above

Lexile: 630L

Sensitive Topic(s): Harassment

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"For seventh-grader Mila, it starts with some boys giving her an unwanted hug on the school blacktop. A few days later, at recess, one of the boys (and fellow trumpet player) Callum tells Mila it’s his birthday, and asks her for a “birthday hug.” He’s just being friendly, isn’t he? And how can she say no? But Callum’s hug lasts a few seconds too long, and feels…weird. According to her friend, Zara, Mila is being immature and overreacting. Doesn’t she know what flirting looks like?

But the boys don’t leave Mila alone. On the bus. In the halls. During band practice—the one place Mila could always escape.

It doesn’t feel like flirting—so what is it? Thanks to a chance meeting, Mila begins to find solace in a new place: karate class. Slowly, with the help of a fellow classmate, Mila learns how to stand her ground and how to respect others—and herself." (book summary)

What I Thought:

Maybe He Just Likes You stood out to me for a number of reasons, really. The primary reason being the way that Ms. Dee handled this topic so delicately. I have not come across a person being harassed (thankfully) and have not read other books on this topic so my knowledge was very limited. The next reason was the way that even when no one else really believed her or helped her up (literally and figuratively) Mila fought back, stood up for herself (and others). I think that this is a read that everyone (whenever they're mature enough) must read because of the way that this topic is addressed in the book. Be sure to get a copy of the book in your library, online, or from a store, if possible.