ParentsPick

The Nowhere Girls — Content Guide for Parents

By Amy ReedSimon and Schuster2019-07-09ISBN 9781481481748432 pages
The Nowhere Girls

Themes present

Violence
Scary content
Religious themes
Racial/cultural content
Profanity
Sexual identity
Gender roles
LGBTQ+ themes

Not found

Climate change

Content themes

Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.

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Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

“A call-to-action to everyone out there who wants to fight back.” —Bustle
“Scandal, justice, romance, sex positivity, subversive anti-sexism—just try to put it down.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Cuts straight to the core of rape culture—masterfully fierce, stirring, and deeply empowering.” —Amber Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be


Three misfits come together to avenge the rape of a fellow classmate and trigger a change in the misogynist culture at their high school transforming the lives of everyone around them in this searing and timely story.

Who are the Nowhere Girls?

They’re everygirl. But they start with just three:

Grace Salter is the new girl in town, whose family was run out of their former community after her southern Baptist preacher mom turned into a radical liberal after falling off a horse and bumping her head.

Rosina Suarez is the queer punk girl in a conservative Mexican immigrant family, who dreams of a life playing music instead of babysitting her gaggle of cousins and waitressing at her uncle’s restaurant.

Erin Delillo is obsessed with two things: marine biology and Star Trek: The Next Generation, but they aren’t enough to distract her from her suspicion that she may in fact be an android.

When Grace learns that Lucy Moynihan, the former occupant of her new home, was run out of town for having accused the popular guys at school of gang rape, she’s incensed that Lucy never had justice. For their own personal reasons, Rosina and Erin feel equally deeply about Lucy’s tragedy, so they form an anonymous group of girls at Prescott High to resist the sexist culture at their school, which includes boycotting sex of any kind with the male students.

Told in alternating perspectives, this groundbreaking novel is an indictment of rape culture and explores with bold honesty the deepest questions about teen girls and sexuality.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is The Nowhere Girls appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The book addresses themes of sexual assault and rape culture, depicting the emotional and societal impacts of these issues on the characters. It is described as tackling the realities of violence against women. The content is described as graphic and uncomfortable, particularly in its portrayal of sexual assault and the emotional trauma associated with it. This may be distressing for some readers.

  • Does The Nowhere Girls have violence?

    The book addresses themes of sexual assault and rape culture, depicting the emotional and societal impacts of these issues on the characters. It is described as tackling the realities of violence against women.

  • Does The Nowhere Girls have scary content?

    The content is described as graphic and uncomfortable, particularly in its portrayal of sexual assault and the emotional trauma associated with it. This may be distressing for some readers.

  • Does The Nowhere Girls have religious themes?

    The story includes a character, Grace, who is portrayed as a Christian teen, and her faith plays a significant role in her life. The narrative explores themes of faith alongside issues of feminism and activism.

  • Does The Nowhere Girls have racial/cultural content?

    The book features a diverse cast, including a Latina character, and addresses issues of racism and intersectionality within feminism. It critiques white-centric feminism and highlights the experiences of marginalized groups.

  • Does The Nowhere Girls have profanity?

    The book includes instances of strong language, with characters using profanity in various contexts. This reflects the authentic dialogue among teens dealing with serious issues.

  • Does The Nowhere Girls have climate change?

    No climate-related themes or discussions detected in the search results.

  • Does The Nowhere Girls have sexual identity?

    The narrative discusses sexual topics including consent, sexual assault, and the complexities of teenage sexuality. It portrays characters who are either sexually active or curious about sex, emphasizing the importance of consent and the challenges of navigating sexual relationships.

  • Does The Nowhere Girls have gender roles?

    The narrative promotes modern feminist themes, showcasing a group of girls who unite to challenge misogyny and advocate for justice. It emphasizes empowerment and activism among young women.

  • Does The Nowhere Girls have lgbtq+ themes?

    The book features a Mexican-American queer punk rocker character, Rosina, and addresses LGBTQ+ themes through the experiences of its diverse characters. The narrative includes perspectives on sexuality and identity, promoting inclusivity.