The Only Way Out by Katie Kuperman

“Any change in its entirety may be more complex, but the start of it is simple: we need to talk.”

Synopsis -

Kaitlyn and Rebecca are next door neighbors and the best of friends. The two young teens can't wait to attend high school together! What they don't know, however, is that danger the likes of which they never could have imagined looms ahead.

Just moments after they begin their exciting first day, Rebecca becomes the victim of choice for Chantel, a young, rough-edged bully at Leacrest High. What starts as a seemingly insignificant altercation outside the school cafeteria eventually escalates into physical, mental and emotional attacks, both in the flesh and online. But no one knows the depths of what she's going through – not even her best friend, Kaitlyn.

One sunny afternoon in March, tragedy strikes and a horrible incident takes place, of which Kaitlyn is an unfortunate bystander. One thing leads to another and terrifying secrets are revealed. Now the people closest to Rebecca are forced to deal with the alarming discoveries.

Kaitlyn finds herself swallowed whole by feelings of sadness, anger, accountability and guilt. She removes herself from society and becomes diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome. Battling depression and unable to participate in any of her regular day-to-day activities, it is a dark and sad time.

That is until Kaitlyn's silence is finally broken. A revelatory experience catapults her into a new life chapter – one that is signified by speaking up, because now she knows this is the only way out: for her, for victims, for bystanders and for bullies

Review -

The Only Way Out is a story created for YA Readers on the topic of bullying. It's focus is not on the person being bullying, it is looked at the issue from the unique perspective of a teenager - Kaitlyn - who doesn't realize the depth of the struggle with bullying her childhood friend Rebecca is facing.  There are hints, but no firm knowledge, and her friend has drawn away and isn't communicating. All this comes to a head the day Kaitlyn sees her friend swarmed by school bullies. Rebecca doesn't survive the attack. 

From there the book moves to follow Kaitlyn as she deals with her personal feelings of guilt to finally breaking her silence on what she has witnessed.  We follow her story as she stands up visibly to say no to bullying, and begins to work for change by starting an anti-bullying movement. It makes a huge impact on her school and is picked up by local media. 

This is a topic dear ro my heart. As a mother of grown kids who watched all three of her kids face serious bullying when they were young, I know the issues intimately, and know the long term effects it has had on each of them, as well as on our family. I know how truly complex the dynamics are and how difficult to stop it. There is no simple solution. 

This story isn't a blueprint for what will work. The issue is way more complex and resistant. What I feel the book offers to YA readers is hope, and to them thinking creatively on ways to address the problem.  More than anything, the author wants to break the silence surrounding bullying and get everyone talking.

Buy the book: Amazon CA ~ Amazon US ~ Indigo ~ Barnes & Noble

Meet the Author -
My fab author interview in Fresh Magazine HERE!

Katie Kuperman is an author, copywriter, entrepreneur and mother based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Not only is her writing jer passion, but also her career. She owns and operates a copywriting and strategizing business, Striking Content. Her deepest cares in this world revolve around positivity, living an authentic life, being kind and grateful, and solid communication. It is her hope and her dream that by writing with purpose and intent, she can make my readers feel, learn and do.

Bullying and mental health struggles are very real issues in our world. Kuperman felt compelled to write a story on these subjects, rooted in a positive message she wants everyone to hear. So, now she's on a mission to spread it.

#talkingistheonlywayout

Connect with the author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram