''Stronger Than You Know'' is a 2014

young adult novel Young adult literature (YA) is typically written for readers aged 12 to 18 and includes most of the themes found in adult fiction, such as family dysfunction, substance abuse, alcoholism, and sexuality. It is characterized by simpler world build ...

by Jolene Perry, published by Albert Whitman & Company. The story deals with the recovery of a fifteen-year-old girl, named Joy, who has experienced sexual and

physical abuse Physical abuse is any intentional act causing injury or trauma to another person or animal by way of bodily contact. In most cases, children are the victims of physical abuse, but adults can also be victims, as in cases of domestic violence or ...

and

neglect In the context of caregiving, neglect is a form of abuse where the perpetrator, who is responsible for caring for someone who is unable to care for themselves, fails to do so. It can be a result of carelessness, indifference, or unwillingness and ...

Summary

When the story begins, Joy has been taken away from her

abusive Abuse is the act of improper usage or treatment of a person or thing, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, assault, violation, rape, unjust practices, ...

mother and is adjusting to a new life with her aunt and uncle. Joy had been neglected and physically abused by her mother and was sexually abused by her mother's boyfriend. This left Joy afraid of men and full of fear. She also experiences

anxiety Anxiety is an emotion characterised by an unpleasant state of inner wikt:turmoil, turmoil and includes feelings of dread over Anticipation, anticipated events. Anxiety is different from fear in that fear is defined as the emotional response ...

because of her emotional scars and reveals that her abusive life was what she considered "normal." Joy's anxiety can be triggered by "seemingly insignificant everyday circumstances," like certain smells, or being bumped into while walking from class to class in high school. Joy is able to heal though the connections she makes with others. Her aunt and uncle, for example, are patient and kind. Her aunt, Nicole, and her uncle, Rob, have twins named Tara and Trent. Even though her new family is so kind to her, at first Joy is not sure how to trust them until Rob shares his own pain about his sister who committed

suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Risk factors for suicide include mental disorders, physical disorders, and substance abuse. Some suicides are impulsive acts driven by stress (such as from financial or ac ...

. Joy is also helped through her experience with

therapy A therapy or medical treatment is the attempted remediation of a health problem, usually following a medical diagnosis. Both words, ''treatment'' and ''therapy'', are often abbreviated tx, Tx, or Tx. As a rule, each therapy has indications a ...

. ''Stronger Than You Know'' is told in the first person, with Joy as the narrator. ''Library Media Connection'' wrote that her "internal dialog and self-doubt ring true." Joy's past is told through flashbacks, where she was basically a

prisoner A prisoner, also known as an inmate or detainee, is a person who is deprived of liberty against their will. This can be by confinement or captivity in a prison or physical restraint. The term usually applies to one serving a Sentence (law), se ...

confined to her mother's trailer.

Reception

The ''

Deseret News The ''Deseret News'' () is a multi-platform newspaper based in Salt Lake City, published by Deseret News Publishing Company, a subsidiary of Deseret Management Corporation, which is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS ...

'' wrote that Stronger Than You Know handled the abuse that Joy faced "accurately and deftly." ''

Booklist ''Booklist'' is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. ''Booklist''s primary audience consists of libraries, educators, and booksellers. The magazine is ...

'' called the novel a "moving survival story." ''

School Library Journal ''School Library Journal'' (''SLJ'') is an American monthly magazine containing reviews and other articles for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, wi ...

'' added that Joy's "phobias and difficulties are depicted with honesty and sympathy." ''

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus. The magazine's publisher, Kirkus Media, is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fiction, no ...

'' felt that the characters in the story were complex. They described Joy as "suitably self-effacing without being ostentatious." The ''

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books ''The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books'' is an academic journal established in 1945 by Frances E. Henne ( University of Chicago Graduate Library School).Wedgeworth, Robert. ''World Encyclopedia of Library and Information Services''. C ...

'' says that Perry creates a "rare" portrait of the "way compassionate, functional families work and the good effects they can produce."

References

External links

Author's site
{{Authority control 2014 American novels American young adult novels