All the Things We Do in the Dark is a young adult psychological thriller novel by Saundra Mitchell, published October 29, 2019 by HarperTeen. The book was shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature.[1]
 | |
| Author | Saundra Mitchell |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | |
| Publisher | HarperTeen |
Publication date | October 29, 2019 |
| Awards | Lambda Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature shortlist |
| ISBN | 9780062852595 |
Summary
editBecause the story covers content that may be triggering for readers who are trauma survivors, the novel includes a trigger warning and resources.[2] The novel follows 17-year-old Ava, who experienced a sexual assault in her childhood, after she finds a woman's corpse in the woods. Instead of reporting to the police, Ava "protect[s] and care[s] for her,"[3] enlisting the help of the victim's friend to solve the case. Most characters are Caucasian with the exception of the main character's lover being Jewish and part-Korean.[4]
Reception
editAll the Things We Do in the Dark received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.[citation needed]
Kirkus Reviews referred to the novel as a "searing, fast-paced whodunit that addresses sexual assault head-on,"[4] while Booklist called it an "insightful, cathartic read."[5] Booklist further highlighted how "Mitchell mixes contemporary drama—the joy of first love, the pain of breaking friendships—with psychological thriller."[5]
Both Booklist and The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books highlighted the Mitchell's author's note, which includes contact information for sexual assault helplines.[5][2]
School Library Journal also provided a positive review.[6]
All the Things We Do in the Dark was shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b Hart, Michelle (2020-03-10). "Here are the Finalists For the 2020 Lambda Literary Awards". Oprah Daily. Archived from the original on 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
- ^ a b Coats, Karen (2019). "All the Things We Do in the Dark by Saundra Mitchell". Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 73 (2): 78. doi:10.1353/bcc.2019.0680. S2CID 208619603. Project MUSE 733765.
- ^ "Rights Report". Publishers Weekly. 2017-12-04. Archived from the original on 2018-11-11. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
- ^ a b "All the Things We Do in the Dark". Kirkus Reviews. 87 (16). 15 August 2019. ProQuest 2271737104. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ a b c Hutley, Krista (2019-09-13). All the Things We Do in the Dark. Archived from the original on 2022-01-01. Retrieved 2022-01-01 – via Booklist.
- ^ Pelayo, Elizabeth (2019-11-01). "All the Things We Do in the Dark". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on 2022-01-01. Retrieved 2022-01-01.