The Mockingbirds
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4.6 • 16 Ratings
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.
From the glossy pages of its admissions brochure, the prestigious Themis Academy appears perfect in every way: exceptional academics, extraordinary students, the kind of extracurriculars to make an Ivy League proud, and zero instances of student misbehavior. But this boarding school isn't as pristine as it appears. There's a dark underbelly to the perfect record the Themis administration flaunts. Student infractions are rampant, and it's up to a secret vigilante society, the Mockingbirds, to maintain order on campus--a responsibility their members take very seriously.
Alex Patrick never thought she would need the Mockingbirds. But when she's date-raped by another student, she doesn't know where else to go. As much as she'd like to forget what happened, she can't escape the daily reminders of what went wrong that terrible night. Before she can summon the courage to take a stand, she'll have to accept that her battle for justice is not hers alone. Standing up for someone, especially yourself, is worth the fight.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
First-time author Whitney boldly addresses date rape, vigilantism, and academic politics in an intense and timely novel, set at the elite Themis Academy. The facts about what happened to high school junior Alex after a concert are fuzzy at first. She wakes up naked in a fellow student's bedroom with a hangover and no recollection of how she got there. Bit by bit, the horrors of the previous night come back to her, forcing her to conclude she's had nonconsensual sex with someone she barely knew. Avoiding the boy who took advantage of her during her drunken state doesn't ease her anxiety; neither does the prospect of telling authorities what occurred. Instead of going to the police or to school officials, Alex solicits the aid of the Mockingbirds, a clandestine group of students bent on serving justice. Candid first-person narration expresses Alex's doubts and convictions while raising relevant questions regarding her method of righting a wrong. Besides showing skill in executing suspense and drama, Whitney masterfully evokes the complexity of her protagonist's emotions, particularly her intense longing to feel "normal" again. Ages 15 up.
Customer Reviews
Highly recommend!
I loved this book! Alex did a great job when remembering what happened in small snippets and trying to figure out what it all meant.
I really want to read the sequel but the price is seriously inhibiting me. It'll have to stay on my wish list for awhile longer yet.
Sterling
This book takes a serious subject and becomes a survivor's manual for anyone who has ever been assaulted. It warns teens of the danger at the same time fiercely supporting victims. Alex speaks for any girl who has questioned the actions of others because of dress, comments, or prior flirting behavior.
It is a fast and easy read with humor and friendship thrown in for good measure. A definite don't miss for anyone with a daughter middle school or high school age. The book given parents an opportunity to talk to their kids about the subject without being preachy.
Wonderfully Written!
The Mockingbirds is about date rape. The story begins with Alex waking up naked in Carter's room with no memory of what happened the previous night. With her friends' help, she goes to The Mockingbirds, a secret student run police force. The Mockingbirds are The Law amongst the students. In addition to taking Alex's case on, they help protect her from Carter.
Alex begins the story a victim of a terrible crime. Over the course of the book, she slowly regains power over her life. She even acknowledges the fact that she's letting the rape take over her life. Her schedule, eating habits, and personal life were all dictated by Carter. The Mockingbirds helped her get over all of that.
Martin, a member of the Mockingbirds, really helped Alex. Even though he somewhat blamed himself for what happened to Alex. Actually, many of Alex's friends blamed themselves for what happened to her, even though it was no one's fault but Carter's. Martin was so sweet. I really liked how the romance in this book wasn't overpowering. The rape and Alex's transformation were the main points in the plot. The romance was more of a compliment to the story; it wasn't necessary but at the same time it was much appreciated. Of course, their relationship wasn't easy. Alex was raped, so its only natural for her to be hesitant about having a relationship with a guy. However, since Martin and Alex were good friends before she was raped, it wasn't as difficult as it could have been if he was just some guy that asked her out.
The Mockingbirds was so wonderfully written! The dialogue was never awkward or choppy; it flowed nicely. The plot was well developed and it too was well paced. My favorite part, though, was not the plot but the actual writing. Ms. Whitney's own experience clearly influenced her writing. By writing The Mockingbirds through Alex's point of view, the reader can feel what Alex feels on a much more personal level than if she had written it in 3rd person. Ms. Whitney also uses quotes and draws inspiration from To Kill a Mockingbird. After reading The Mockingbirds, I want to go back and re-read To Kill a Mockingbird.
The Mockingbirds is a thought provoking novel involving rape and a girl's decision to take a stand. I was reluctant to read it at first, mostly because I'm not a huge fan of serious books. I read to get away from all that. But I couldn't help the fact that almost every review I read praised the book to the point where I said, "I might as well..." So far I've read the book twice, and loved it both times.