This is a good graphic novel as a conversation starter.
But some of the dialogue was obviously written by out of touch adults.

This graphic novel is a great introduction to a vitally important topic. I wish something similar had been available when I was growing up. I'd love to see it provided to students during sex ed classes in schools. The graphic novel format is much more inviting than the photocopied notes that were painfully plentiful last century when I was at school.

The discussion questions and resources at the end would be useful as a jumping off point to aid teachers in facilitating classroom discussions. I could see this book being used by parents to help them bring up this topic with their children and also to inform parents about the issues that affect kids today that they may not have had to deal with when they were growing up due to changes in technology. Even school leavers may find this book useful as issues surrounding consent don't magically disappear once you reach adulthood.

This book dispels many myths surrounding what is and isn't consent in a clear, conversational way. There are some parts that read more like adults talking than teenagers but I'm not sure this can be completely avoided. By touching on various scenarios relevant to consent, including perspectives of males and females, and making the point that the need for consent is the same regardless of a person's sexuality, this book gives the reader enough of an overview to be able to apply what they've read to scenarios they may face in their own lives (or bring clarity to what they may have already experienced).

One of the resources listed at the end of the book is a YouTube video that explains consent so well that I think it complements this book perfectly. The video, with close to 4 million views at the time of this review, is titled Tea Consent (Clean) and was uploaded by Blue Seat Studios. I'd encourage anyone reading this review to watch it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley (thank you very much to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers) in exchange for an honest review.

This graphic novel was adorable, diverse, and presented an amazing point in such an understandable way! I honestly just want this book to be present in every school library across the world and for every middle-schooler and high-schooler to be required to read it and discuss it, because it brings up so many important topics regarding consent that kids need to be thinking about as they enter their sexually active times in their life - or even if they don't want to be sexually active, it can still teach them how to relate better to their peers who are, as well as empathizing with abuse survivors.

Thank you to NetGalley and Singing Dragon for the ARC of this book! All opinions expressed here are my own.

When four teenage girls learn that one of their classmates was raped, they start discussing the meaning of consent and other important topics.

This was a short graphic novel (around 50-60 pages) that speak of important subjects, like consent, porn or the effect of media on our body image... I didn’t actually learn anything reading this but I think younger people would.

I truly think this book should be read by every young teenagers who are starting to be in sexually active relationships or anyone older who still hasn’t grasped the concept of consent which is perfectly put in this book : “Consent is not the absence of 'NO', it is an enthusiastic YES!!”

This should pretty much be read and talked about in middle school.

This is a useful and much needed resource for teens and young people. It is an illustrated conversation between a group of school friends about consent, sex, porn, body image, relationships and other related topics. It is very accessible and easy to read, with a list of further reading and other resources, as well as discussion topics at the end of the graphic novel. At times the dialogue can be slightly clunky, but as it is written to be educational, perhaps that would have been hard to avoid. It still gets its points across well and provides a good starting point for conversations about consent. I wish I had had access to something like this when I was at school!

I requested this book from the publisher as I am thinking about resources for my boys as they approach their teen years. I found the graphic novel concise (important as teens are more willing to read it), diverse, and engaging. I really appreciated the content at the end which has discussion questions and gives additional resources. It uses British terms, and that might be confusing to American teenagers who do not know British slang. Overall, not enough of a negative to have me lower my rating. I would say this is a must read for tween and teen boys and girls.

I really liked the message of "What does consent really mean?" and how diverse all the characters were. The writing and storyline is appropriate for a younger audience that is trying to learn about consent and sex. The dialogue was rather stilted at times but apart from that it was a pleasant read.

A great introduction to an important topic. #Consent #GraphicNovel

This graphic novel will be a great resource to help youth understand the intricacies of consent that individuals need to grasp more, but future editions should be less cisheteronormative.

4.5 stars

While this can be a pretty good teaching tool to teach middle and high school students about consent, I feel like it should be the only thing that teachers should used. The reason why I give it a 4. 5 instead of a five cause it felt like skimmed telling guys that they should consent to things as well. The majority of the book spend telling girls they should consent to things which is nothing wrong with that all but it's a two way street. Some guys can be uncomfortable with doing things with their girls ( or guys) would could be pressuring them to things as well. It just needed to be shone in more " it can happen both ways" light. All in all It was pretty good.

This is such an important book. I have been begging for a book like this since I was a teenager. I teach a class called "Sex and Relationships" to juveniles at the local county jail. The kids always get up in arms because I always talk about consent. They say they already know what it means and don't need to talk about it again. Every time I have a discussion about consent I end up teaching them something new. This book covers all of my main points, except one. This book covers "no means no" and more importantly "yes means yes". It doesn't shame people for having sex, it instead tells them it is ok to have sex but only if you are both consenting. It talked about pressure to consent which is huge. It is amazing the stories I get from the kids in the jail about how they have felt pressure to say yes, but then they will defend someone who is in jail for rape because the girl should have just said yes.

The only point I wish this book had gotten was consent vs informed consent. It is well and good to say yes, but what are you really saying yes to. The book circled around it, but didn't quite smack me in the face with it which I feel was needed. This is a huge thing I teach the kids, especially the boys. You need to make your intentions clear, then respect the answer.

This book is very much needed and I am very thankful that it exists.

Admittedly, for the first half of the book I was nervous because it appeared it was only going to show things from a straight female perspective, though the collection of characters were clearly from different backgrounds. Don't give up on it if you're feeling that way, because it does also explore issues if consent from the male perspective, expressing that consent requires an agreement between both partners. it also discusses the fact that rule holds true in homosexual and bisexual partnerships as well. I do wish that there had been acknowledgement that women can be the aggressor in a straight relationship, but that was left out (hence the only four star rating). The resources at the back of the book, particularly the Q&A discussion questions make this a great learning tool for adolescents.

I will not argue that consent is an immensely important topic and should be discussed from a young age, but I just don't think this book was the way to do it. While I agree that a graphic novel is an awesome way to get young people to pay attention, the flow of this book just did not feel right. The illustrations and storyline felt rushed and unnatural, like the author was just trying to pack as much information as possible into with with absolutely no regard for the quality of it. My suggestion would be to format it in clear chapters and discuss a characters story clearly in each one as opposed to trying to lump it all together.

It's sad that in this day and age we still have to have a conversation about what consent is. But from the headlines we see weekly, it is still clearly needed.

This short graphic novel is a great introduction to what consent is and isn't. It's straight forward and honest, perfect for young teens (think Jr. High), but really everyone could use a refresher on this topic.

There are some good discussion questions at the back of the book as well that can lead to some much needed conversations.

In this short story, a group of friends is struck with the question of consent when the newest student is rumored to have been raped. Throughout the book, the topic of consent is struck head-on and explained through conversations that feel all too real.

This was a great conversation starter and quick read. I enjoyed the diversity in choice of characters and the inclusion of so many differing opinions on the topic. It's a great book to read on your own, or with your older (middle school and up) kids.

The graphic novel What Does Consent Really Mean? asks some very important questions and starts a discussion which is really important to have. Sometimes it felt a bit on the nose a la: We are going to teach about consent. Then again, it is the point of the graphic novel. Not only does it asks some really good questions, the story involves a cast of diverse characters on both ethnic and LGBT grounds. Furthermore, it includes characters who are single and characters who are in a relationship.
The story is just teens discussing consent and everything that involves consent: sex, nudes, porn, what is a no and what is a yes. Moreover, the narrative involves both the point of view of girls and boys which made me happy. For a second, I was scared that the graphic novel might gloss over the boys' narrative.

So I really recommend this book, especially if you are not sure what consent is.

A powerful message

What Does Consent Really Mean begins with a group of friends at school. They discover that a girl who attends their school was raped. This strikes up a conversation about the topic of consent and what it means.

As the graphic novel continues, more strong topics are discussed. They talk about porn and how people can believe what they see is real. Media is also another vocal point within the group, talking about how media can make a teenager think and possibly worry about their body image. It is a constant struggle.

From the beginning of What Does Consent Really Mean, the discussion about consent comes from a girls perspective. Because of this, conversations also take place about boyfriends and what feels right and wrong. About how you may want to just agree to do something even though it is not what you want. Of course, this goes both ways and not just from a girls point of view.

Later into the graphic novel, the group are joined by their boyfriends / boy friends and strike up the question to them – What do you think consent means? From the boys perspective, as well as talking about what they think consent is, they talk about how they feel pressured to perform a certain way. This may involve exaggerating what they really do with their significant others only to make themselves look “cool” to others.

By the end of What Does Consent Really Mean, everyone has a better understanding of what consent really is, and that both parties need to be in agreement to do anything, even if it is not sex.

The Artwork

On another note, the artwork of What Does Consent Really Mean is adorable and stylized. What I absolutely adore about it is the diversity it shows. Teenagers of all different races, body types and genders. This really does allow the reader to connect with the read. The writing style in the graphic novel was also simple to follow along with and easy to read. The colors were also vibrant and pleasing to the eyes!

Important read for all young teenagers

I personally feel that What Does Consent Really mean hits the mark with the main theme. At the end, it also includes resources and questions which would be incredibly useful for schools. These question revolve around the themes and topics talked about throughout the graphic novel – Consent, porn, sexting, media and more.

This graphic novel should be widely available for any teenager who wants to found out more about consent and what it means. I would highly suggest that when picking up What Does Consent Really Mean for learning purposes, that the resources are looked at. There are videos and links that give very helpful information and honestly expands what the graphic novel talks about.

Overall, What Does Consent Really Mean is an adorable graphic novel while at the same time a very good informative read. A useful tool for teenagers to read and start learning about what consent is.

“Consent is NOT the absence of NO, it is an enthusiastic YES!”

We talk about consent, but does anyone really understand, espcially teenager, when peer pressure is such a big thing? This book takes a good mix of teenagers, racially diverse, economically levels, sexualities, and has them have a conversation. This conversation seems quite natural.

The story begins with the teenagers leaving school, and discussing a new girl in school who had to leave her last school because she was raped. First the girls discuss this, and then it moves on to whether this was her fault (it was not, and never is), and what is consent anyway.

This later moves to them talking about their own relationships with boys, and talking to the boys as well.

The end of the book has many resources for further discussion, although., since this was written in the UK, many of the resources are UK based. However, it is pointed out that video on the cup of tea, which explains consent very well, as one of the resources.

This book should be available to all schools and libraries. It is a conversation that should be had for all.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review

This is a hugely important graphic novel about a vital issue facing society today: consent and the lack of it. It brings up a ton of related issues (rape, sex, peer pressure) and offers a clear and concise definition of consent: consent isn't not saying no, it's saying an explicit yes. I like that the topic is discussed by way of a conversation between girls and later, boys too. I also like how diverse the group of friends and their experiences was. While the dialogue is sometimes clunky, it is still a very important graphic novel and I hope lots of young adults pick it up and learn from it!

4 Show more
Review Ok, so this was an admirable try at talking to young adults about consent. But I'm not sure how effective it will be. The dialogue reads very much like adults trying to relate to teenagers, and if today's teenagers are anything like I was, that's just not going to make them relate to this at all.

It also demonises things that can be perfectly normal and valid parts of any relationship. The consent discussion is important, making porn and nude pics out to be the enemy kind of negates that. The graphic novel rightly says that everyone views sex differently, and rightly says to promote discussion among partners to find out what the others are into. But it also sets up porn as creating unrealistic expectations about sex, which is not something that I wholeheartedly agree with. In some cases, sure, but teenagers aren't stupid. They can differentiate fantasy from reality, and the way that this presented that kind of made it seem like teenagers were just very 'monkey see, monkey do'.

The entire premise for the discussion on consent was a classmate being raped, which was sort of used as an incidental plot point, which felt sort of...cheap.

I also disagree with the way they handled nudes. Sending nudes is ALSO a matter of consent. It's a matter of trust between two consenting partners. If you send a nude, it's not you who've done anything wrong. The person in the wrong is the person who shares it against your will. I've sent nudes, I've never had them shared online. I consented, and the partners in question respected me by not sharing it. There is nothing wrong with that, and it's a valid way to share your sexuality with your partner. There was a sense of victim blaming where the nudes were concerned.

All in all, this was a great step in promoting discussion about consent, but it fell flat at a few hurdles.

This is a book that all secondary school-age children (11-16) should be encouraged. The concept of consent is so so important to get right and truly understand, and this book addresses it so well. The comic book concept makes it really age appropriate and definitely more appealing to read (although even on my large screen computer the text comes up very small). The use of colloquial language makes it easily applicable to today's youths, without coming across as trying to hard to be 'cool'. The most important point it puts across is that consent is not the absence of a no, it is 'an enthusiastic yes'. There are discussion points at the end of the book, good for both young people to explore themselves or for sexual health lessons in school,

This book does a good job at addressing common misconceptions. A class-mate is raped, and there are ideas flying around that she must have done something to deserve it, or that she had initially said yes, or got 'pissed', and so on. The book does well to quash these common myths and address a very important issue. On the whole, this is a very valuable read and one that I'll be recommending.

Originally posted on: https://foxtrevert.wordpress.com/2017/07/25/what-does-consent-really-mean/

Thank you to Netgalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for an early copy of this in exchange for my honest review.

Before I start my review, Jessica Kingsley Publishers are amazing. They publish books that they know will make a difference. These books range from topics of dyslexia, Asperger’s, gender issues, trans rights, etc,. I think they are amazing, not many publishers dedicate their company to books that help young people deal with social topics.

What Does Consent Really Mean is a graphic novel written by Peter Wallis & Thalia Wallis, illustrated by Joseph Wilkins. As it says on the cover, this book is about consent. The novel follows a group of teenage boys and girls as they discover a classmate has been raped and people are posting hurtful comments online about it. This opens a discussion about rape, consent and if you should say yes or no. It’s a very short graphic novel and I flew through it in about half an hour but the message of the novel is so potent that it is definitely worth the read. Plus, a lot of people in my life – including children and teenagers – tell me that they do not have time to read. 63 pages of a graphic novel do not take long and with a story like this, it is a necessary novel to read.

In recent times, rape and rape culture has become part of our dialogue. We speak about it frequently; on the news, on social media, in person – anywhere and everywhere, you will find you are faced with something that is becoming a widely discussed topic. However, some of the discussions surrounding rape and consent are wrong and do not educate or help people understand. Some media outlets use rape as a tool to get views – some shows and films through it in for the scandal whilst others keep it historically and socially accurate.

What this graphic novel doesn’t do is sensationalize this heinous crime. The reader becomes part of a gang of teenagers and feels like they are listening alongside them as they walk through the park, meet up with boys and ‘share’ a plate of chips. Through this, their discussion of consent begins.

The characters discuss how people do not “deserve it” because they had something “shit” happen and that no-one has a right to force someone to have sex, even if they are drunk (which is how the girl is raped in the first place – she was knocked out drunk and somebody took advantage).

The girls are the main group discussing consent and all are diverse and you can see all of their situations – they are all from different ethnic backgrounds and all have different relationships. The girls learn through their chat with each other that consent is an “enthusiastic yes” and that they should not be pressured by anyone, even if their boyfriend’s make them feel bad. When the boys join the conversation, the discussion turns to expectations and consent among men too.

All of these are valuable lessons to be learned and as they are told through the comic strip it is easier to read and feel immersed in for people who do not want to or have a hard time reading.

This book is not for children as there is small swear words in and it is a difficult topic but I would suggest this for anybody going into high school and further. Men and women need to know what consent is and when it is not okay to do something and through this storytelling with relatable characters and friendly faces everyone can learn something.

I gave this book 5 stars. It is a book that needs to be on shelves and seen by all, especially as the topic of ‘consent’ is still one that seems to be lost in translation for some people.

(full review below - already up on goodreads and will be up on my blog 11/09/17) (goodreads link is direct to review, blog link is just general)

Disclaimer: copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This is definitely super important and I feel like it covered a lot of bases very well - not all the bases, but there are so many layers I can't be surprised about that. I was a bit worried going in since the first person listed is a man - I know there are problems there as well but... - but I was honestly really pleasantly surprised.

To be fair, though, I knew nothing but that going in.

Pros:
- diversity (characters)
- covered different POV's
- educational
- no slut shaming (that isn't pushed against)

Cons:
- read like an afternoon TV special at a few points

That con isn't even that bad, but it is why I couldn't give it a full 5 stars. But I think this is a truly important comic and it's good it's finally out. Especially that we got to see the guys confronting their own toxic thought cycles - ahh, the way people want to seem cool, just making us hurt ourselves, really.

Overall, I'd recommend this for, well, anyone. For classrooms - even for middle school, to be honest, because there can already be those ideas forming about who they should/shouldn't be with people - and libraries, of course. But also just for people. If you've got a son or daughter, especially, I hope you borrow or buy this for them. Let me know that their wants matter, and that not saying yes is not consent.

What Does Consent Really Mean?



by
Pete Wallis, Joseph Wilkins, Thalia Wallis

A Review

Note this book is not aimed at a Christian audience per se. Christians may be, some will be, offended by the topics covered here. However, it may open doors for communication for parents, friends, and classrooms.

The authors provide a guide toward understanding what many mean by “Consent” in today’s secular culture. They take no stand on the ethical, moral, or faith based decisions involved in giving consent, only on how to recognize and accept consent or the lack thereof. Same gender issues are addressed, but not strongly - almost as afterthoughts.

Though the reader is given ideas on how to recognize consent, little is said how to respond when consent is not granted. In other words, nothing specific is said about what “No” really means. Another missing topic is the use of alcohol or drugs to limit inhibitions. This topic rises to the service, not as the result of a date rape drug being administered; but as a current criminal case makes it way through the California court system when a guy was seduced by an inebriated girl of similar age. The courts ruled that he was not guilty - a legal decision, not a moral one.

Finally, no mention is made of the issue of consent within a marriage or other established relationship - it is as if the issue of consent only must be addressed by those still dating.

The book provides a beginning point for discussions, it opens the door for conversation; but suggestions need to be made to discuss the missing elements of consent, not covered directly by the authors.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

This book deals with a very important topic. By having a group of friends discuss what consent really means, it covers the influence of porn and media and talks about what constitutes a healthy relationship. I loved how the book mentions not just the struggles of girls but also highlights the pressure that boys are under. A must read for teens and adults.

This is perfect for young readers. We need more books that explain 'consent is NOT the absence of NO, it is an enthusiastic YES!', that explore different issues people might have towards sex, and talk about such things as porn or rape culture.

An important book that should be utilized to merge the gap between what people do and what is correct.

Though the language is a bit stilted in places (lots of "it is" where an "it's" would feel more natural), but overall this is a very thorough introduction to the idea of consent and what it entails. The characters are believably diverse and it's nice to see them having frank discussions about sex, sexuality, and issues of consent. The book also features a discussion guide in the back, with resources and discussion questions to further explore the issues touched on in the book.

I have mixed feelings regarding this graphic novel.

The issue of consent is by a critical issue that should be discussed and understood among teenagers and young adults. The addition of content that thoroughly looks at these issues in a manner that is familiar to this age group is a wonderful thing.

The book covered a large number of avenues and grey areas related to the issue, covering both male and female stand points, non-heterosexual relationships, and depicting this a discussion between a diverse group of young people. All solid additions.

However;

I feel as though the style of the book and the obvious goal of being an informed resource was not appealing. I felt like I was reading a book geared toward a much younger audience (once you took away the content) or something you picked up in a therapy room.

Perhaps this is partially the aim for the book. But I feel the key audience for the book would be missed in the fact that they just wouldn't see the book as appealing.

All in all I think it is a great starting point for an important conversation, but that it is something that would only be appealing and therefore effective in certain settings.


Note(1): I received this book from Netgallery in exchange for an honest review and feedback.
Note(2): This book and review contains content of a sexual nature.

I liked the drawings, and the message is obviously very important, but unfortunately the execution was seriously lagging. Not only did the characters not sound like teenagers, they didn't even sound like adults having a natural conversation, but rather like adults reading aloud lines they had been given by an over-eager PSA scriptwriter. It was stilted and unnatural and very, very eye-roll inducing.

Which is a shame, because the topic is SO important. I would love to see this plot worked over by a thorough editor to see what could come of it then.

effective that it considers all sides of consent and what consent means for teenagers. I think it will appeal to many readers. impressed by discussion questions at the end.

A group of high school aged friends talks about consent in various forms - relationships, friendships and sex.

This book was clearly written by adults but I think it did do a good job about talking about consent in an educational and less awkward way. I liked that they explained consent in sex but also outside of it. It is a quick read and I think could be useful for teens to understand what consent means. I am not sure if they would necessarily pick this up on their own, but it could be good in a school setting.

I started off reading this book, thinking, they should explain it to guys as well! Fortunately they did cover that, although only about halfway into the book (I was not paying attention to what part of the book it was in/percentage of my electronic ARC). It touches upon grooming, how porn isn't real, and other things that might be too awkward to talk to a younger person about. This book isn't a substitute for actually talking about these difficult issues, but it's a good starting point.

How do you have those awkward conversations you don’t want to have?

I don’t know, but you have to have them. I don’t know if it’s less awkward to do it through a comic book, but this comic does a good job in educating young people what consent is and why its important.

The subject matter seems geared toward older kids than the comic style is. Or maybe kids need to learn about it younger than I’m comfortable with.

Either way, it’s an important topic that warrants discussion, warrants education, and is well-explained.

This book covers an important topic thoroughly and without condescension. That being said, I'm not sure the graphic novel format is the best for this topic, as it doesn't really read like actual teens speaking.

I was intrigued by this book. Could someone actually make consent an easily understood issue in a graphic novel format that kids would read?
What Does Consent Really Mean, clearly lays out what consent is and the official meanings behind the adult words. This is a PSA in book form. while it doesn't speak like teens speak, the dialogue speaks just like we wood in a class or seminar but the form makes it easier to digest without being lectured at by an adult.
The only thing I didn't like is that the women girls had to school the boys about consent. I am for women empowerment and love where the girls tell the boys to stop when they aren't comfortable. The issue is that it still makes it a foreign idea that boys should consider this as an issue. Men and boys must start holding each other accountable and not accept rape culture. I would have liked to see the boys discuss it on their own and then run into the girls. We have to make it acceptable for boys to question "macho" behavior.
Overall, this is very informative and will be of more interest to teens than any seminar or scientific pamphlet we would give them.

What Does Consent Really Mean? provides age-appropriate information about consent in a graphic novel format.

Beautiful book that has words and ideas that need to be said. Consent is an incredibly important part of relationships and needs to be more acknowledged for younger people.

A thoughtful and provocative graphic novel for middle grade and teenagers meant to teach them that they decide what is right for their bodies and breaking down that consent is not the absence of no, but an enthusiastic YES from both parties. The graphic novel takes place as a discussion between a diverse group of teen girls as they talk about a student who was raped and then to consent, relationships, porn and what is and is not appropriate—in addition to a group of boys joining the conversation.

While I didn’t particularly agree with the posting nudes section (because they seem to place blame on the victim for sharing pictures of themselves—as in the argument, once it’s out there, it’s out there forever, and you can’t control what someone else does with it), the rest of the discussions between the teens are absolutely spot on. Teens need to talk about sex—not just sex education, but consent, what harmful relationships look like, peer pressure, and that it’s okay to change your mind even after you already gave consent.

The notes at the back of the graphic novel contain lots of fantastic discussion topics and resources for further reading and additional information. Most of the resources gathered are focused on the UK (particularly the legal bits), but readers outside the UK can still gather valuable information.

I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

It is so sad that there is a need for this book... But, especially at this time, the subject of consent is even more important than before. This is a perfect tool to use in school to bring up consent to discussion.

I feel I am fairly educated on what consent means. I wanted to read this book to see if there was something I could learn still, and to see if this book would be something I think a teenager would read. (Or maybe because I still think I am in my early 20's and "hip") There where parts of the comic that I had not considered fell under the need for consent, so it was indeed educational.

Still, I do not think a teenager would pick up this comic by them self. It has the grownup lecturing tone over it, and a lot of the conversation felt staged and unnatural. BUT, I belive it could be a great tool to use by schools in the sexual education to teach teenagers about consent, and to respect each others boundaries. Sex ed. has been lacking in a lot of places and we start to see the repercussions of this. By starting early, the right attitudes can be taught and I belive this comic can help more towards this than to listen to the "old and boring teacher who does not know what it is like to be a teenager today".

A hot topic on college campuses today, as well as among younger kids, is the issue of consent. Pete Wallis and Thalia Wallis tackle the issue in What Does Consent Really Mean? Their story, told in comic book format with illustrations by Joseph Wilkins, follows a group of high schoolers talking about sex, relationships, and consent.

The first thing I noticed about the book is the assumption that teenagers are going to have sex. The idea that sex should be reserved for one person after you're married is not even hinted at here. Call me old-fashioned, but I believe that is the ideal and standard that should be held out, especially among teens. What Does Consent Really Mean? has a very open attitude--everything is OK, as long as the people involved are in agreement. I just wish abstinence had been a part of the discussion.

That said, I know the reality is that many teens have sex, want to have sex, and talk a lot about sex. So the clarity that Wallis and Wallis bring to consent is welcome. One of the characters says, "Consent is NOT the absence of No, it is an enthusiastic YES!" They discuss going along with a partner just to avoid conflict, the fact that if you do something one time it doesn't mean you have given consent to do it every time you're together, and what to do when someone asks you to do something you don't want to do.

The authors want this book to be a resource in classrooms and school libraries. At the end they include several web pages listed on a variety of related topics, all of which can help a kid with questions. Kids are always going to have sex. Some kids, especially girls, are going to give more than they wanted to. What Does Consent Really Mean? can help to start conversations and spur some reflection that can stem the tide of unwanted contact and sexual activity.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

I guess looking at the fact that it's meant for the formative years a book like this is absolutely a good thing. (Let's face it, I probably got harassed more in school than I have in the ten years since.) This is definitely something that needs to be taught early on.
Obviously crossing our fingers and hoping for the best doesn't work.


Can I question if there'll be a guy version? Because the little bit we get from "their male friends," left me feeling like some things were unresolved and like they were opening a whole other door. Besides the quick lesson on the meaning of consent and the "Get off you're freaking girlfriend, no she doesn't enjoy it; that's why she is telling you to STOP!" moment, there isn't much of a lesson from the guys perspective. They just go on talking about the pressure they feel and the false assumptions they've made from watching porn.

My take on that: "I feel pressure to keep up with what everyone else say's they're doing so therefore I'm going to pressure you into doing something you're uncomfortable with even if you don't say yes."
= "I come first, you're just here for my own use."

Alright, maybe I read too much into that. But I feel like they missed the point on their part and simply told them to stop being jerks and consider what the girl is feeling.

The entire book is a group of girls going back and forth (and around, to a point where I felt it got confusing) about how they feel doing certain things, when they feel pressured and how much control they feel they have.
It's a great book from a female's point of view, because it's filled with great advice all girls should hear. "This is what consent it, if you're uncomfortable and at no point say Yes. Then whatever is happening is not okay."

I liked it for that and it's a good lesson and message but I just feel like it's lacking when it came to both sides. Yes, it'll teach girls that it's alright to say no, but does it truly teach guys that only Yes means yes?

This book is a frank, open discussion about consent and sex. I really appreciated that it modeled appropriate listening and speaking behaviors and that the discussion included a variety of sexual orientations. Every school library should have this book available.

I think this graphic novel is a great starting point for this topic. I liked its simple approach to the topic and the way it covered a variety of subjects relating to consent. I liked the way that they reaffirmed their clarifications throughout the novel. They explained things in a clear and concise manner and even elaborated in many situations. They talked about values and gave examples, many of which young adults will be able to relate to. The format was easy to read and creating it into a graphic novel makes this topic more appealing to its readers.

So, what is consent? The novel elaborates on this many times throughout the novel. Consent means that there is no pressure, that both parties are happy with the decision that they are making, that there is the enthusiastic “yes!” before the act, that the individual is not being forced or coerced into something, etc. This text provides many definitions and many examples of what this word means. Because your body is yours and what you do with it depends on what you want. So, what happens if you say no? What about the famous, “everyone else is doing it.” or what if you’re just not sure? This graphic novel covers these options and many more. The novel consists of a group of four girls conversing. You will meet a group of boys who chime in on the conversation and give you their opinions on the subject matter so it’s not all about girls.

In the back of the novel, the author has given its readers a wonderful resource. From consent, sexting, porn, being positive sex resilient, etc. the author has listed some discussion questions, a list of information that was discussed in the novel, some Did You Know Facts and a list of resources where you can go to find further information for each of these additional subjects. I feel that this is a wonderful way to approach this subject and this novel should be read by anyone who is mature enough to handle this subject matter. This novel makes a great starting point for future discussion or research. 4,5 stars

I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of the best graphic novels I've read!
Not only is it well written and nicely illustrated, but it also tackles a very important issue, that has been broadly discussed lately, but I am not confident enough that its importance has been emphasized to the younger populations.

And, this novel could serve exactly that purpose!

Just like the creators highlight, consent is not just the absence of "No", but an enthusiastic and explicitly communicated "YES".

This message is conveyed through the graphic novel, when a group of female friends start discussing about one of their new classmates who is rumored to have been raped.

I like the fact that the girls at first seem to never having thought of the issue of consent in much detail before, something that I am fairly sure is the case among the majority adolescents. But, gradually and through their conversation, they start realizing that they do not have any need or obligation to consent to anything they are not 100% sure they want.

And, then, their male friends approach them and are let into the conversation, which only serves to make it even more realistic and important, as it is highlighted that they do not purposefully make their girlfriends do stuff the latter might not have done otherwise, but they really have no clue as to how to properly ask for their consent and not just assume that they do.

I can't stress enough how important it is for today's adolescents to have access to this particular graphic novel, and especially to familiarize with the concept of consent.


All in all, 5 stars for an important graphic novel, which succeeds in conveying a powerful message.

What Does Consent Really Mean? by Pete Wallis and Thalia Wallis, illustrated by Joseph Wilkins, came across my radar when I was looking for new books to read on my Kindle this fall. (With a small baby, Kindle is really the way to go for me right now.) Now that I am a mother, I am looking for ways to teach consent to my child at a young age, as it's incredibly important to me. Hence, why I picked up this graphic novel.

What is consent? What does it mean exactly, and does it take away the fun of a sexual encounter? Do you have a right to consent in a relationship? These are the big questions explored in this short primer on what it means to give consent and why it's important. Several friends get together after school, and one brings up a rumor that the new girl was raped. This sparks a discussion about what it means to say "yes" and "no," and if that even matters. (Spoiler alert: it does.)

What I found the most fascinating about this book was the spot-on characterization of high schoolers. Now, it's been on the far side of two decades since I started high school, but looking back on what I knew then, I saw myself in these characters. In fact, even just a couple of years ago I had a conversation with a good friend about women who get roofied, and this friend even, in their 30's, expressed fault on the side of the woman. I can speak to this, as someone who has had the *wonderful* experience of being drugged (that was sarcasm, in case you didn't catch it), that it was 100%, explicitly not my fault in any way. In fact, I couldn't have been more responsible at the time of the incident. But it took me a long time to realize that it wasn't my fault because I didn't give consent.

So yes, I saw myself and my peers in these high school kids in a graphic novel, just the way I see all adolescents in their semi-developed prefrontal cortices. Without a full understanding of what consent is and why it matters, kids will continue to believe that as long as it hasn't happened to them, that others should have made better (or even different) choices.

Which is what I think is the brilliance of this graphic novel. It doesn't treat teens as if they have pedantic, juvenile conversations, but rather meets them where they are. Whether it's gossiping about the new girl being promiscuous, using the word "gay" as a pejorative, or doing things sexually with a boyfriend or girlfriend they aren't comfortable with, we all can understand these things because we've been there. So when the authors turn toward defining consent (with a diverse cast of characters, mind you), it's a seamless transition from gossip to, "Hey guys, wait a second..."

I'll be buying this in hard copy and holding on to it for my own kiddo when it comes to be about that time. We have a couple of other books we are using to guide him when he's younger, and we will add this to our arsenal when he's middle school age. Talk about consent can never start too young.

This is a graphic novel wherein a group of teenagers discuss the importance of consent in a relationship. This was written for teens, not by teens. And it is really, really obvious.

I think this book can be a fantastic reference, and a great conversation starter. But it is not a book to hand to your teenaged child and say, "Hey, this is important. See you later." Because your kid is going to read it, roll their eyes, and possibly take it to school with them to have a great laugh, and any time there is a conversation about consent, it will continue to be a joke.

This was a fantastic effort, because this is an important conversation. But this was not the way to go about it.

Use it as a reference, not as a guide.

This is something that I think all teens should read, and not even just teens, parents, educators, anyone who works with or interacts with young people. Consent is an issue that not a lot of young people understand fully, I certainly don't remember being taught what consent is and is not, and I was only leaving school ten years ago.

This graphic novel explores the misconceptions and perception of consent from the perspective of both male and female young people. I appreciate the fact that it is not focused solely on female consent, as a lot of discussion forgets to consider that males have just as much right to consent, and just as many insecurities around sex and relationships. I think there's great racial representation in here but not very much LGBTQIA+ representation, I would have liked to see more diversity in that respect. I think the decision not to include the perspective of the classmate who was raped was very smart, as that would have skewed the view of consent based on that particular situation.

Overall I am impressed with the story told and the facts given, I think that it might be very easy to skip over the questions and information given at the end, but I do appreciate that information being there for those who want to read it. I particularly think the legal facts should be more prominent in some way. I think it's difficult to infer that the reason this book seems to be so against nudes and porn is because it is geared towards teenagers, and in the UK where this is set, those things are illegal under the age of 18, EVEN IF THOSE IMAGES AND VIDEOS ARE OF YOURSELF. I've seen a few people complain about the hard line this graphic novels takes on those subjects, but it's in there to educate young people on the law and the trouble they could be in engaging in those things while underage.

This would make an excellent resource for schools and even parents to distribute to young people. It is so important that this issue is widely discussed and everyone is informed, and this is a great introductory tool to do that.

I saw this graphic novel and I know its often a hot topic online and in the news, so I requested it to check it out. It's made for young adults and is geared for that level and I feel its a great topic to get young people talking on the subject to open up beforehand and get their feelings and thoughts out about what it means and how they feel about the matter. I think that it's better to discuss it before something happens to hopefully ward off a potential problem. It could prevent a problem that way if everyone laid out their real feelings honestly. I know it's not something we ever talked about when we were young and maybe it would have helped if we had been able and honest enough to. No one should be pressured into doing things that they aren't comfortable doing.
I feel it will be a good thing for young people who take the time to read it and think about what it says. And even for older people too actually. Its just common sense but things that some people may not have thought about before when it comes to consent and the law. A positive thing all around. Thanks for reading. An advance copy was provided by NetGalley for my review

"Consent is not the absence of 'NO', it is an enthusiastic YES!!"

So I'm doing something a little different, this is not my usual kind of review but I feel like this is something that needs as much exposure as it can get. With everything going on right now our kids need to understand consent and what it means and everything it applies to. In this graphic novel it delves into what consent is and not just for sex. This group of teens they have a classmate who was raped and social media is tearing her apart, blaming her ect.. Which bring up the topic of what consent it, and how it's not just a stranger doing it but date rape, and then there's statutory rape and the consent between a minor and and adult. First it's just the girls talking about boyfriends pressuring them into it and how it makes them feel like they should just because they are dating. When the guys join them they start getting the opinion from guys side, their expectations of how they are suppose to act as opposed to how they want to act. By the end of the day they have all learned something.

I liked this because it is a great starting point to talk to your kids either read it with them or just be there to answer questions afterwards. It gives ideas about what to talk to them it's good for opening up the discussion. I would definitely recommend this to parents or to school councillors. It is British so the slang is that to them but it is still very easy to read and follow and the art is appealing. The cast of characters are easy to connect with; it definitely felt like an after school special with how the dialogue played out but it gets the point across.

What I took away from this (as an adult) No matter what if you decide to have sex or not this is a good eye opening read for teens to think that it's ok to say no, if you want to be abstinent that's ok and if your gf/bf wants to be abstinent then you need to respect their wishes. It's even ok to change your mind if you start to feel uncomfortable! And don't let anyone make you feel bad for what you want.

This is a great, basic, easily understood, and engaging introduction to consent that would be suitable for teenagers and even pre-teens presented as a graphic novel. Does teaching pre-teens about consent scare you? It shouldn't. People should learn about the importance of consent before they're sexually active.

"Consent is not the absence of 'no', it is an enthusiastic YES!"

This little book touches not only on judgement of victims and victim blaming, but how consent works not only between two people who haven't had sex before, but two people who have previously had sex. Consent is always important, whether it's your first experience with the other person or not. It's a very quick read that would be great for waning attention spans, and I think it should be in school libraries and used in the classroom. It mostly features conversations between friends, but also includes some resources for additional information in the back of the book. My personal favorite is for the "Tea Consent" video which can be easily found on YouTube. A clean version without swearing is also available, plus one intended for kids which mostly uses hugging or hand holding to explain to young viewers.

There's some UK lingo that might be difficult for some to understand, but not too much. Other than that, it's very inclusive, which earned it some bonus points from me.

This book is mostly about the importance of communication and driving home the fact that you are in charge of your own body. My little feminist heart loved it. Put it in schools. Please.

I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Jessica Kingsley Productions, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.

'What Does Consent Really Mean?' by Pete Wallis, Joseph Wilkins, and Thalia Wallis is a graphic novel about a serious subject.

When a classmate is sexually assaulted a group of teenage girls have a conversation about what consent is. The subjects of peer pressure, healthy relationships and what to say when you don't feel comfortable are covered. The boys show up to talk about the pressure they face as well.

The characters in this graphic novel are sexually active, but this subject should still be one you have regardless of how you feel about this. It's uncomfortable, but it's handled frankly here and in a very accessible way.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Singing Dragon, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

A good conversation starter about what consent means and how to navigate the subject in today’s world.

This is an awesome, easy to understand story of what consent really is and what to do if you end up in the wrong situation. Sometimes it felt a bit like it was written for a different targetgroup. But it was good overall and I think people could really learn from this.

Good discussion that brings up many key points to understanding consent. I was particularly glad to see the boys side come into it. The only reason I don't feel my library will purchase this is because I'm in the US, another edition that lists US resources in the back would be great.

Where to start? Well, this is certainly the book I wish I'd had when I was growing up and when my own children were of the age to need this advice for that fact. This book, "What does consent really mean?" is presented as a graphic novel and shows multi-cultural characters discussing and growing in knowledge about the topic of consent. This inclusion of such a range of opinions, yet, still coming to a consensus, also demonstrates to young people how you can and should be able to discuss matters openly in a healthy relationship. I found especially good the part where the teenage girls were more able to discuss this area than the teenage lads although through their clearly good friendships they worked through this, once again demonstrating a mature attitude to the audience.
I can certainly recommend this book as a reference book for any teenagers, schools or those involved with working with this age group.

I love the message behind this graphic novel, it's definitely something I'm extremely passionate about and I love how it's written in a simple way so kids and even adults can learn about consent really is. truly believe that even if you think you know what consent is, that you should read this book.
I loved how it showed both sides, from the male and female perspectives. This is a book that I definitely recommend and that I will show my younger siblings and their friends.

I write more about this on my blog that you can check out: https://angiesbookblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/07/what-does-consent-really-mean-by-pete-wallis-book-review/

I enjoyed this graphic novel on consent. It’s written as a conversation between a group of friends - first just girls, and then some boys join the conversation later. It does a good job of dispelling myths that I think a lot of teens struggle with around sex.

I’m not sure how well it would play with American teens, since it is clearly British and so the dialogue can be a little “huh?” It’s a great idea and a quick read. I think it would be more successful in America if they updated the dialogue a little bit, just so it wasn’t laughed at and not taken seriously due to the strangeness of it. I would hate for it to be dismissed out of hand because it sounded awkward to kids here, because the message is A+.

It's taken me a while to figure out how to write a review about this book. I think What Does Consent Really Mean? by Pete Wallis, Joseph Wilkins, and Thalia Wallis is a really important book but the fact that I couldn't figure out what age range to place it in bothered me more than it normally would. High school age would be too late. Elementary feels too young because there are references to porn and good luck getting a parent to sign off on that. But middle school kids feel like both problems would be an issue. Some parents would be pissed that there are references to things they don't want their kids to know about yet (whether that is reasonable or not is another issue) and part of me thinks that middle school might be too late for these lessons too. I remember kids having "boyfriends" and "girlfriends" in fifth grade or at least our version of that. So it isn't that much of a leap to think that middle school age kids could be having sex. Not to mention, consent is not just about sex, but kissing, touching, and really just listening to what another person wants. Putting aside all my issues, I think this book is really important and should be read by everyone, no matter what their age is.

Synopsis:
"Consent is not the absence of 'NO', it is an enthusiastic YES!!"

While seemingly straightforward, Tia and Bryony hadn't considered this subject too seriously until it comes up in conversation with their friends and they realize just how important it is. Following the sexual assault of a classmate, this group of teenage girls find themselves discussing the term consent, what it actually means for them in their current relationships, and how they act and make decisions with peer influence. They are then joined by their male friends who offer another perspective.

If you are anyone who considers themselves a feminist, a supporter of survivors of sexual assault or a survivor yourself, the beginning of this book will probably piss you off immensely. Two of the girls are ready to victim blame their classmate who has just been sexually assaulted and are ready to badmouth her on social media. But stay with it!  This is how the discussion on consent begins. Amira and Jade (my two favorite characters in the book) come to the rescue. They have an honest discussion with their friends without shaming them for their victim blaming (hello, internalized misogyny) and help them come to the conclusion about what consent is and why it's important. It is revealed that Tia and Bryony have been in situations where their consent was not being considered by their boyfriends. They think that because they are in a relationship they have to be up for whatever their boyfriends suggest, no matter how they feel (thanks, society). Amira and Jade talk them through how consent applies to their situations too. 

The girls eventually meet up their guy friends (and boyfriends for some of them) at the park and continue the discussion with them. While Bryony stands up to her boyfriend in this situation, shoving him away from her and telling him how she feels, I feel like the boys get off the hook a little too easily. Bryony's boyfriend, Ryan, seems straight-up abusive. I understand how it would be hard to address in a book that is clearly meant for a younger audience and a shorter book at that, but his development into a guy who is all about consent seems like a very quick turn around from what Bryony experienced in the past. While I believe the other male characters really learn something from this discussion (as do the girls when they hear about the pressure boys are under), Ryan I am not so sure about. His development does not feel believable to me. Shouldn't this book show how the real world works sometimes (that not everyone is so easily redeemable) as well as showing how honest discussions can help people understand what others are going through?

Overall, this book really covers a lot of issues (and does so with beautiful illustrations). It talks about the pressure put on boys and girls, all the different aspects of consent, how to get out of the cycle of victim blaming, how to advocate for yourself and what you want, and much more. On a 5 star scale, I give What Does Consent Really Mean? 4 stars. Despite a few flaws, this book really feels like a good place to start in teaching kids early what consent is and why it is so important.

What Does Consent Really Mean? came out in November 2017.

Thank you, NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers/Singing Dragon for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"What does consent really mean?" is so relevant and important. The question of consent is brought up between young friends in this book. The only problem is that the conversation felt very unnatural to me and if it sounds unnatural to me, I think it could sound unnatural to the target audience of younger kids and teens. The whole time I was reading this, I tried to imagine what younger me would have thought about it. Sure, it would have been a whole lot better than what I was actually told about consent ("if someone is touching you somewhere you don't want to be touched, say no"... well unfortunately its a lot more complex than that!) but I feel like maybe I wouldn't have really listened to it because it sounded quite preachy and cheesy. I can't fully describe it properly but it just felt like a really bad television soap or something in the way that it was received on my end.

I think that if it was edited better, it could have been so much better. They had the basics to a really good graphic novel but the final product fell flat for me. I am giving it 3 stars because I think that its an important topic and maybe it will be received better by younger kids and teens. If it helps even one person, then I think that is great. I did like how it wasn't just a bunch of white kids in the comic, there was a bit of diversity and that was a plus for me.

Consent definitely needs to be taught to young kids but it needs to be better than this, I think. I'm not sure if there are better books/comics than this but I haven't really heard of anything else. I hope there are better things out there but again, I'm not sure if there are. If you're looking for something to give to your child, this could be a good starting point. It might initiate a conversation or get them interested to hear more about consent so I guess I would recommend it.

The format of the graphic novel was quite hard for me to read because it wasn't a finished product but that didn't affect my rating.

* I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I feel like this is one of those books people are going to put on a shelf in hopes that their teen will happen upon it. Its a resource, the start of a conversation. Especially since it raises a lot of really big issues in a fairly short length. The role of alcohol, of behavior, sexting, social media, reading body cues, societal pressures, porn. Really this book just asks the question, trying to get kids to at least think about these things. It becomes important then for parents to take the next step and discuss the content.

2.5

This is an amazing concept, though I felt that the dialogue was a bit out of touch and didn't feel natural (possibly written by someone who didn't have first hand experience with the concept).. #consent

I downloaded this title a while ago and have now finally read it. I wish I had done this earlier. It is an informative book in graphic format which unfortunately did not come over correctly with my kindle app. It deals with the question of consent from the point of view of confused teenagers who discuss and question each other about what is meant by the word and action of consent. Both male and female views are aired. It also includes advice on sexting and pressure. There are also a number of questions at the end of the book and websites to consult with and some YouTube resources to watch.

We ordered this for our teen room! I think the fact that it is a graphic novel will be really appealing to deal with a very uncomfortable topic. The book shows real world examples of how consent can seem like no big deal, when in fact it is very important. It isn't as heavy as I was expecting which is great and make it more accessible to teens.