Positive: Surviving My Bullies, Finding Hope, and Living to Change the World

Paige is bullied at school and online, and a girl throws an icy soda at her while she's walking home. As a result of being bullied, she cuts herself and tries to commit suicide. She talks about other kids who were raped, tormented, and driven to suicide. She meets kids who've been victimized in other ways, too, including a boy whose father injected him with HIV-infected blood, and a 14-year-old who was raped by a family member.

Paige kisses a boy who later is bullied at school because of their relationship. She gets a crush on another boy at camp, whom she calls her Prince Charming. Her father was unfaithful and infected her mother with HIV (who passed it on to her before she was born). There is some discussion about how HIV can be transmitted sexually, and Paige makes a reference to the importance of safe sex and gives information about Planned Parenthood in the back matter.

A few uses of "f--k" and one "s--t." Paige is called a "bitch," a "slut," and a "ho." A few other words, such as "God," "ass," and "hell."

Paige imagines her former friends sneaking beer into a party. Her mother takes sleeping pills, which Paige uses for her suicide attempt.

Parents need to know that Positive is a memoir written by 20-year-old Paige Rawl, who was born HIV positive. Teens will learn about HIV and AIDS and also about the dangerous impact of bullying, including cyberbullying. In the back matter, the young author includes facts about how the virus is transmitted (and not) as well as resources such as crisis hotlines and information about where to get an HIV test. Paige is bullied at school and online, and, as a result, she cuts herself and even tries to commit suicide. She talks about other kids who were raped, tormented, and driven to suicide. She meets kids who have been victimized in other ways, too, including a boy whose father injected him with HIV-infected blood. But, although Paige sometimes makes dangerous decisions out of desperation, she grows stronger and learns to deal with stress in a healthier way. As she becomes an activist, she ultimately decides that being "good" isn't just​ about trying to get along but also about speaking up for what's right.