Review of At Least I'm Trying

This book is a cautionary tale for both teens and parents. Reese is hoping to get an athletic scholarship to university. When her high school volleyball career crashes down around her, she is traumatized since no scholarship will be forthcoming. At the same time, her long-term boyfriend has broken up with her. All her life, Reese has been a perfectionist with school, sports and life. Her parents are very overbearing, and she only hears positives from them when she excels. With her volleyball dreams over, she is struggling and has lost her desire to be the perfect daughter and student, so she begins to rebel by skipping school and hanging out with a different crowd. Reese is soon introduced to an older guy who initially seems like a perfect boyfriend. Once some red flags appear, she ignores them. She is unknowingly being groomed to become part of a sex trafficking ring. This book highlights so many issues that teenagers and parents are facing right now. Social media, of course, is a concerning issue with how it manipulates teens, especially if they are already vulnerable to some of the things it offers. In the book, Reese suffers from low self-worth and is easily swayed by wanting to fit in with her new rule-breaking friends. The grooming of her was systematic and effective, and led her to a terrifying place. The disconnection between Reese and her parents makes the grooming even easier. Overall, the book is a valuable resource and wake-up call for both parents and teenagers, and I highly recommend it.