REVIEW for Want to Go Private?

A huge, huge thank you goes out to Nikole at Scholastic Canada for sending me a copy of this book.

TITLE:                             Want to Go Private?

AUTHOR:                         Sarah Darer Littman

GENRE:                           YA
RATING:                         5 Stars

First off, I have to say that I ADORED the author's previous book Purge - so  I was entering this read with a very optimistic mind set.

I wanted to fly through this book, but I simply could not.  Not because I did not like the storyline, but because the premise is just so hard to read - and I mean that from an emotional point of view. 

Want to Go Private is about Internet Predators and it is scary, scary, scary.  All I kept thinking, as I read this book was just horrible it must be to be a parent today, when it comes to the security of their children. The second thing I kept thinking about is how can one human being do something so horrendous to another?  especially helpless children who think they are grown up - but aren't.

Want to Go Private is very, very raw and clearly shows us, from the very, very beginning just how a bright young girl (Abby) can so easily be manipulated by a sexual predator - despite all the warnings she has gotten in her life. 

You will find yourself gritting your teeth, yelling at Abby (I did) and basically wanting to kill the sexual predator.  I identified with Abby as she feels lonely and goes looking for friends on the Net.  I felt for her parents who are completely blindsinded by the entire experience and I felt for Faith who is Abby's best friend and struggles to help (and find) her best friend.

If you are someone who likes to read more fluffy books, then this one is not for you, but if you want to read about real life - then you will want to pick this book up.

The author deals with pedophiles and sexuality in a very sensitive manner - giving us the point of view of Abby, Lily (Abby's sister), Faith (Abby's best friend) and Billy (Abby's lab partner and friend). 

I loved, loved this book - even if I could only read a few pages at one sitting -