This story unfortunately hits really close to home for me. I was a "victim" of molestation by a family "friend" for seven years of my life. And like our main character, Lizzie, my mother just wouldn't listen either.
Child abuse is a very real epidemic in the world, which sexual abuse being the second leading cause of children developing mental disorders such as PTSD and Clinical Depression at very young ages (My own daughter was diagnosed with PTSD due to abuse from her father at the age of 4). It's only second to physical abuse. It is imperative that parents listen to their children. 9 out 10 ignored cries of sexual abuse are NOT lies. Don't let your child become a statistic.
I don't know who the actual victim of Ms. Von's story is, I can only assume it's someone very close to her; if not herself. But I, for one, applaud her bravery in writing this, even if the names were changed to prevent unwanted backlash.
This story is powerful and anyone that's been a victim of this crime is going to fear the fear and the uncertainty right along with Lizzie. So the reader must prepare themselves for that.
There was a single error that I found in this work. a period misplaced, it may hiccup the reading flow just a bit, but it's the only one I found worth mentioning.
The only problem I had with the story was how quickly Lizzie recovered from her trauma. It normally takes years (and quite a bit of therapy) for a child to recover from something like that and not be afraid of every male that looks in her direction. That fear never fully goes away.
This book should definitely be in every parenting class, and every parent should read it.
I give this book 5 of 5 paws.