Controlled: The Worst Night of My Life and Its Aftermath

When Arter was 14 years old, she was sexually assaulted by family friends. Her account of this event and its impact on her mental and physical health, as well as her relationship with family and friends, comprises this memoir. Her story clearly shows the prevalence and destructive effects of victim shaming and blaming on those who report sexual assault. Arter's book is full of easy-to-understand teen dialog, which makes it accessible for high school readers—though the subject matter contains adult content. While the epilog provides some information about the recovery process, a bit more discussion would have strengthened this memoir—though perhaps this underscores the truth that recovery is ongoing. Talking about sexual assault is a key strategy for reducing the stigma surrounding its victims, and Arter deserves recognition for her bravery in writing about truly traumatic, damaging events.