After getting her drink spiked, Hermione, co-captain of Palermo High’s cheerleading team suddenly awakes as ‘The Raped Girl’. Most devastatingly, she can’t recall what happened. While everything around Hermione spins, Polly, her best friend, stays steady. Exit, Pursued By A Bear dives deep into the topic of rape, the importance of support, and resilience. 

If you are bearing the weight of teenagehood, this book is a must read for you. There is a lot to learn from it, that’s for sure. Exit is not your classic rape story; Hermione is supported all throughout the plot. E.K. Johnston did a wonderful job incorporating the positives of having a strong support system during times of difficulty.

Conversely, this novel lacked imperfection. Despite its originality, some relationships seemed unrealistic. For instance, Polly, Hermione’s best friend was nearly flawless and always, always there for Hermione. In order to add more tension into the plot, it may have been interesting for Polly to not be so caring.

Overall, Exit, Pursued By A Bear was an insightful, original read. With a bit more tension, it could be heart-wrenching. But then again, nothing is perfect.