OPEN SECRETS

Guitarist Ana “Shadow” Santos dreams of a music career, but when an amazing opportunity presents itself, how far will she be willing to go to achieve her goal of stardom?

To 17-year-old Ana, music is everything. She has an innovative style, a strong message, and the drive to see her dreams come true. When Gill Daring, a local club owner and mover and shaker, takes her under his wing, she is thrilled with the opportunities it brings. She and her band play regular live shows every Friday night and have a growing fan following. Gill seems truly fond of her and eager to help her get her big break, but he pulls her away from her friends and band mates and even out of school. He also encourages her to keep secrets about their time together. Meanwhile, others try to warn her that Gill may not be the good guy he presents himself to be but rather a master manipulator, grooming Ana for more than her shot at stardom. Though the story is engaging for reluctant readers, the way red flags and warning signs of predatory behavior are woven through the narrative is its greatest strength. The subjects presented will educate and inform many readers on an important topic; it’s a shame no resources are included for those seeking support or information. Ana is cued as Mexican Canadian; other main characters read as White.

An absorbing #MeToo story that will increase awareness.