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All the Things We Do in the Dark

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All the Things We Do in the Dark
AuthorSaundra Mitchell
LanguageEnglish
Genre
PublisherHarperTeen
Publication date
October 29, 2019
AwardsLambda Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature shortlist
ISBN9780062852595

All the Things We Do in the Dark is a young adult psychological thriller novel by Saundra Mitchell, published October 29, 2019 by HarperTeen. The book was shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature.[1]

Summary

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Because the story covers content that may be triggering for readers who are trauma survivors, the novel includes a trigger warning and resources.[2] The novel follows 17-year-old Ava, who experienced a sexual assault in her childhood, after she finds a woman's corpse in the woods. Instead of reporting to the police, Ava "protect[s] and care[s] for her,"[3] enlisting the help of the victim's friend to solve the case. Most characters are Caucasian with the exception of the main character's lover being Jewish and part-Korean.[4]

Reception

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All the Things We Do in the Dark received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.[citation needed]

Kirkus Reviews referred to the novel as a "searing, fast-paced whodunit that addresses sexual assault head-on,"[4] while Booklist called it an "insightful, cathartic read."[5] Booklist further highlighted how "Mitchell mixes contemporary drama—the joy of first love, the pain of breaking friendships—with psychological thriller."[5]

Both Booklist and The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books highlighted the Mitchell's author's note, which includes contact information for sexual assault helplines.[5][2]

School Library Journal also provided a positive review.[6]

All the Things We Do in the Dark was shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Hart, Michelle (2020-03-10). "Here are the Finalists For the 2020 Lambda Literary Awards". Oprah Daily. Archived from the original on 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  2. ^ a b Coats, Karen (2019). "All the Things We Do in the Dark by Saundra Mitchell". Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 73 (2): 78. doi:10.1353/bcc.2019.0680. S2CID 208619603. Project MUSE 733765.
  3. ^ "Rights Report". Publishers Weekly. 2017-12-04. Archived from the original on 2018-11-11. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  4. ^ a b "All the Things We Do in the Dark". Kirkus Reviews. 87 (16). 15 August 2019. ProQuest 2271737104. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  5. ^ a b c Hutley, Krista (2019-09-13). All the Things We Do in the Dark. Archived from the original on 2022-01-01. Retrieved 2022-01-01 – via Booklist.
  6. ^ Pelayo, Elizabeth (2019-11-01). "All the Things We Do in the Dark". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on 2022-01-01. Retrieved 2022-01-01.