The You I've Never Known — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
For as long as she can remember, it's been just Ariel and Dad. Ariel's mom disappeared when she was a baby. Dad says home is wherever the two of them are, but Ariel is now seventeen and after years of new apartments, new schools, and new faces, all she wants is to put down some roots. Complicating things are Monica and Gabe, both of whom have stirred a different kind of desire.
Maya's a teenager who's run from an abusive mother right into the arms of an older man she thinks she can trust. But now she's isolated with a baby on the way, and life's getting more complicated than Maya ever could have imagined.
Ariel and Maya's lives collide unexpectedly when Ariel's mother shows up out of the blue with wild accusations: Ariel wasn't abandoned. Her father kidnapped her fourteen years ago.
In bestselling author Ellen Hopkins's deft hands, Ariel's emotionally charged journey to find out the truth of who she really is balances beautifully with Maya's story of loss and redemption. This is a memorable portrait of two young women trying to make sense of their lives and coming face to face with themselves--for both the last and the very first time.
Frequently asked questions
Is The You I've Never Known appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The narrative includes instances of emotional and physical abuse, particularly from parental figures. It discusses gaslighting and the impact of such abuse on the characters' self-perception and relationships. No elements classified as scary or frightening were detected in the search results.
Does The You I've Never Known have violence?
The narrative includes instances of emotional and physical abuse, particularly from parental figures. It discusses gaslighting and the impact of such abuse on the characters' self-perception and relationships.
Does The You I've Never Known have scary content?
No elements classified as scary or frightening were detected in the search results.
Does The You I've Never Known have religious themes?
The book touches on themes of Scientology and religious oppression, particularly through the character Maya, who is attempting to escape her abusive mother involved in Scientology. The framing appears to critique the controlling nature of such religious environments.
Does The You I've Never Known have racial/cultural content?
No explicit themes of racism or modern identity politics language were detected in the search results.
Does The You I've Never Known have profanity?
No explicit mention of profanity detected in the search results.
Does The You I've Never Known have climate change?
No climate-related themes or discussions were detected in the search results.
Does The You I've Never Known have sexual identity?
The book contains fairly graphic depictions of sexual experiences as Ariel explores her identity. This includes discussions around sexual relationships and the complexities of bisexuality.
Does The You I've Never Known have gender roles?
The book explores themes of female empowerment and the struggles of young women in abusive situations. It highlights the characters' journeys towards self-discovery and independence, reflecting modern feminist themes.
Does The You I've Never Known have lgbtq+ themes?
The book explores themes of bisexuality and homophobia through the experiences of its characters, particularly Ariel, who is navigating her sexual identity amidst an abusive environment. The narrative includes a critique of biphobia and provides representation of queer experiences.
