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Tradition
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Powerful look at feminism, rape culture at an elite school.
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What's the Story?
Award-winning author Brendan Kiely's (The Last True Love Story, All American Boys) contemporary young adult novel is set at Fullbrook Academy, an elite New England boarding school that's been educating the country's privileged and powerful for generations. The book takes the alternating points of view of two seniors: outspoken feminist Jules Devereux, a second-generation student whose mother was in the prep school's first graduating class to allow women, and hockey scholarship student Jamie Baxter, who's repeating his senior year and escaping a traumatic past in his Ohio hometown. Jules' ex-boyfriend is the Big Man On Campus, Ethan, but she's now "off boys" and committed to exposing the hypocritical sexism and persistent rape culture on Fullbrook's campus. Meanwhile, Jamie agrees with Jules -- with whom he shares a platonic bond -- but he's aware that scholarship kids (even white ones) are expected to toe the line, support the status quo, and act grateful for their chance to be educated at Fullbrook. When Jules is assaulted at a party, Jamie must decide whether to keep his head down or help his friend take a stand.
Is It Any Good?
It's never easy to read about sexism or sexual assault, particularly involving rich, entitled young men who believe they're above the law, but Kiely's story is a thought-provoking read. Before he was a full-time writer, Kiely taught in elite prep schools, so he understands the culture he's exploring and writes believably about the insider perspective (legacies, athletes, and kids whose parents pay full freight), as well as the outsider points of view (outcasts, misfits, and scholarship kids). Jules isn't typically likable, but she's incredibly fierce and opinionated -- as is Aileen, an artist the boys nickname "the Viking" as a wink wink to all of her conquests. Jamie is earnest and conflicted about whether to rock the boat as a scholarship athlete who's supposed to keep his head on the ice and in the game -- and possibly on hooking up with girls, but NOT on being the "campus femiNazis" ally and friend.
Kiely has emerged as a true talent in contemporary, issues-based young adult fiction, and Tradition doesn't disappoint. There's no predictable love story as you might expect in a co-ed, dual point of view narrative, and that's actually quite refreshing. Jamie and Jules' connection is based in friendship, not the possibility of romance. There is romance in the overall story, but it's secondary to the main plot. This is a book that will make readers think and wonder what they'd do at Fullbrook -- stand with Jules, Jamie, and company, or go along with the flow with the popular and conforming teens?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance of "issue" books like Tradition. Are they helpful for teens to read, even if readers have never dealt with the specific issues in the books?
Parents, discuss the idea of affirmative consent, as well as your family's values and expectations about adolescent (or pre-marital) sex. Talk about why a girl's sexual history, how she dresses, and whether she has previously had sex with a particular person doesn't have any bearing on consent.
How does the book correlate privilege and sexism with rape culture? Why do you think girls and women are still treated differently than boys and men?
Teens, have you witnessed double standards surrounding sex and the different impact/reputations that stem from having it? How can young men learn to be allies?
Book Details
- Author: Brendan Kiely
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
- Publication date: May 1, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 18
- Number of pages: 352
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: June 30, 2022
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