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Katie.com by Katherine Tarbox, reviewed by Sarah M.

This autobiography written by Katherine Tarbox is a moving and perceptive story about a serious issue that affects her childhood. In Katie.com we get to know the neglected child and how she escapes loneliness. Throughout her book, she loses and gains relationships that shape her life.

At age thirteen, young Katie Tarbox becomes familiar with AOL, an online site connecting people around the world. She develops an in depth relationship with a man, who she is mislead to believe is age thirty-one. As their relationship progresses, her never-around mother, swim team, and challenges of school become an issue. She is faced with the pressure and stress each brings to her life. After keeping a relationship by using AOL and the telephone, she starts to fall in love with a man she knew as Marc. Marc knew almost everything about Katie’s life, and kept pressuring her to meet him in person. One weekend, Katie’s swim team goes to a competition in Texas where she gives the information to Marc and has him stay in the same hotel so they could finally meet. During one of the nights, Katie goes down to Marc’s room where she is molested and becomes nearly a victim of rape. Her mother, Andrea, fortunately was able to get the room number of where Katie was and remove her from Marc’s room before he was able to seriously hurt her. Katie loses her sense of who she is, and becomes afraid to tell what really happened. After she has dealt with the thought of molestation for almost a week, she comes clean to her mother and has her press charges. Throughout the book you are able to understand Katie’s feelings and thoughts through the court processes. Shortly, she is known as the “slut” as rumors surface around her perfect town. She struggles with depression and despair as she undergoes lie detectors and interviews with the FBI. She learns the man she once knew as Marc, was a completely different person and a total stranger. At the end of the book, you learn how much family and friends can help a person through a difficult time, and never to hide your thoughts. This heart-touching story ends with a court decision that changes Katie’s life forever.

This book is recommended for teens and adults who enjoy reading about real life experiences. It is also recommended for people who like intense criminal justice stories. It is definitely something girls should read together with their parents to learn life lessons.

This novel sends an important issue and teaches young kids the dangers of the Internet. It also offers advice to others who can relate to issues she battles with as a young girl. Katherine writes her book in first person and writes as a thirteen year old would. This book makes you realize a lot about one's life, and to never be afraid to ask for help.

Certain readers such as boys might not be able to enjoy this story because it is definitely something very emotional and depressing. The author emphasizes a lot on the guilt Katie feels which can get a little boring. Additionally, the author does not give a lot of information about the people on Katie’s swim team, yet explains their judgments of her after her incident.

On the whole, this autobiography deserves four stars. It is a book which will change your life, and is something you will want to read more than once. Katie inspires many young children to take care of themselves, and warns them of the dangerous effects of the Internet. I think it is also important for mothers to read this because it is a topic they should discuss with their children, and is something that should not be ignored. Child molestation and rape is a serious issue and this book is a great novel which sends a detailed message.