What Happened To Rachel Riley?

     "Photos. Tons of them. Her and Jordan Russell, her and Kaylee Nakamura, her and everyone. It looked like she had a ton of friends! Until May 20, last spring. At the end of seventh grade. That's the last photo. And it's just a selfie of her, smiling at the camera.

     So here's the question I'd like to explore:

     What happened to Rachel Riley?"

     Eating lunch in the East Middle School cafeteria, Anna notices something strange. When the names of the day's birthday girls and boys are announced their friends clap. Even she, the shy new girl, gets some applause. But Rachel Riley's name is met with dead silence. What makes this even stranger is evidence that until recently Rachel was wildly popular. 

     So what happened?

     In her Social Issues class an assignment worth 85% of the grade is a semester long project on an issue "small or large, local or international". Guess what issue Anna chooses. 

     It's not going to be easy. Rachel knows why she's being shunned but refuses to say why. And her classmates don't want to talk about whatever happened. A girl in one Anna's classes tries to warn her: "what she did was really low + she does not deserve your help...Just ignore her that's what we all do."

     Anna's extroverted mom is always nagging her to make more friends. Alienating the rest of the eighth graders won't help 

     And the incident that resulted in Rachel's shunning may be quite a big deal, involving the burning down of a barn used for events.

     It may also be related to something else going on in the background. Boys are playing a game that makes girls very uncomfortable but feel that they should just laugh off the unwelcome attentions.

     What Happened To Rachel Riley? is a most excellent read for younger YA readers. 

On a purrrsonal note, my photography skills are very much in demand on campus by people who want event photos for social media. Yesterday I was paparazzi for a really special dinner, a collaboration between Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund and Wilson Center. It was held outside and had a gorgeous sunset for a grand finale. Today I played that role for a SWell art creating event. (Of course I did some art too). Photography is one of my favorite ways to volunteer. I have more events booked.

It should be quite a weekend. Eugene and I are going to go to camp overnight tomorrow. And Sunday is my birthday. I hope you have fun weekend plans.

A great big shout out goes out to all who participated in both the events. 

Jules Hathaway 

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