14-year old Nancy stops to talk to her friends and only thinks about Collin constantly. She keeps her relationship a secret from everyone she knows, including her mom, which is another important character in the story. She only lives with her mother since her parents are divorced while her father lives in Arizona, Phoenix with his girlfriend Liz and his maid Maria.
Nancy’s betrayal from her true love causes her to suffer. It is why these both suffering and betrayal are the themes of this heart pounding non-fiction. It teaches all teen’s world wide that this can happen to anyone, and the dangerous facts of AIDS. It teaches us that once you have a situation like this happen to you, tell someone immediately. Throughout the whole book Nancy mentions about how she wishes to be a child again, cradled in her mothers arms. Once she confesses to her mother and friends she feels as though a huge weight is lifted of her shoulders. I personally do agree with the author that once a like this situation happens to you to contact someone because it can get worse, and just like it happened to Nancy, it can happen to you.
“It happened to Nancy” is a touching story like no other. The emotion and vivid detail make you become one with the book and experience the dramatic events the same way the Nancy did. I know that for a fact I became one with this book and because of that it made me enjoy reading this novel. Since I was able to connect to the story so well it makes this book really believable since it can actually happen to anyone and the settings like Arizona Phoenix, is a real city in America. On the other hand, the book had a bit of humor from here to there. As she lives her life in despair she tries to live it in gladness, and many humorous things take place. One example would be the time her mother and her went to a beach house together. While staying a few days there, her mother slips and falls into a pile of rat droppings.
Additionally, another reason why I enjoyed this novel is because it displays on how life can happen so fast. In most books that are written on rape, it is long and tragic. I find that type of writing style to be so typical when it comes to teenage novels. Nancy’s rape happened in only a matter of minutes. I feel as though it shows how life really can be, unlike many other books that tend to be a bit over dramatic. I guess you can say that this book has its own unique approach on the reader.
“It Happened to Nancy” is worth anyone’s time especially with the valuable lessons learned about safe sex that most teens are puzzled about. All parents and teens should have an opportunity to read this novel to know some things that others don’t. Also parents should be able to see a teenager’s perspective on life and teens will be able to see what life really is. If parents find out what can happen to their child it will prevent teens to do the same because just like it happened to Nancy it can happen to you.
Victoria Borges
Block 2- B2
English I Honors
