Book review: 'Maybe He Just Likes You' deals with the difficult subject of sexual harassment in middle school

Mila Brennan is an average looking girl who isn't sure why the four boys on the basketball team have suddenly started to pay so much attention to her. At first it's just a touch on her shoulder, but then she becomes sure they're talking about her in, "Maybe He Just Likes You." Their comments about her sweater are weird, so she stops wearing it. She confides in one of her friends, only to have her claim Mila is being too sensitive. Is she being too sensitive? Mila starts doubting herself.

Image from Simon & Schuster

One thing Mila is positive about: she shouldn't confide in her mom. Even though Mom keeps saying things are fine, it's obvious they aren't. Things at work seem weird, Dad still isn't paying child support, and Mila's comments about needing new clothes really stressed Mom out. So Mila keeps trying to help out around the house and with her little sister and keep her problems to herself.

But things keep getting worse. One of the boys, Callum, has twisted situations around and now several of the adults at school seem to be on his side. Mila begins to think she can't trust, or count on, anyone but herself.

And then she finds herself in a karate class, with a girl she had considered a snob, but now seems nice. As karate helps Mila find confidence in herself, she starts standing up to the boys. Soon, the adults around her begin to realize that things need to change.

"Maybe He Just Likes You" is a powerful book about sexual harassment in middle school. Say what!? Does sexual harassment happen to kids, by kids? Yes, yes it does. And this book is a great way to help tweens and teens define that.

Author Barbara Dee has tackled a difficult, yet important, subject and brought it to an appropriate level for tweens in middle grade. In, "Maybe He Just Likes You," she not only deals with sexual harassment, but she also dives into split homes, absent fathers, and homosexuality. Mila's life, even without being sexually harassed, wasn't an easy one. But, unfortunately, it is one that is all too familiar with many youth in the world today. Dee shows them that, despite these hardships, it is possible to rise to success.

Now, let's talk about the parts of, "Maybe He Just Likes You" I didn't, actually, like. I didn't appreciate that Dee had to make a 12-year-old character gay. Kids are struggling to identify themselves at this age and making it seem like the only boy who will be friends with a group of girls is gay is, well, stereotyping.

Also, while it was great to have a handful of Mila's friends support her, having so many other adults who are close to Mila be either doubtful, unbelieving, or unaware bothered me. Authors, you don't have to make adults come across as backward dolts for teens to like your books. Doing so only reinforces the idea that kids can only trust kids. Parents aren't always so self-involved that they are oblivious to what is going on in their kids' lives, yet influential adults keep portraying them that way in all kinds of media, including books.

There, I'm done ranting.

So, bottom line: despite its imperfections, "Maybe He Just Likes You" teaches a powerful lesson that is rarely taught elsewhere. Parents, read this book before giving it to your kids. My guess is most of you will think the positives outweigh its negatives.

"Maybe He Just Likes You" has two instances of taking the Lord's name in vain. Violence doesn't go beyond a kick and romance doesn't go beyond crushes. This book deals with physical and vocal sexual harassment.

Dee has been writing since she was young. The author of several books, she lives in her native New York with her family.

Book breakdown:
286 pages
No illustrations
Best for ages: 12 and older
Educational factor: low
Christian content: None
Parents could be concerned about: The theme of this book is sexual harassment in middle school. Also, there is a gay character who has a crush on another boy.

Side note: this book will be officially released on October 1, 2019.