It’s always the quiet ones, right? Staff writer on the school newspaper by day, Phoebe Townsend moonlights as Pom, a blogger who writes about any and all sex questions a teen might possibly have. It’s sex ed for teens, by a teen. She doesn’t have followers, but she started it for herself so she doesn’t really care. At least until Lydia Brookhurst, a local businesswoman, finds her blog and starts tweeting about how awful and unmoral it is. Think of the children! Think of how much sex they’ll be having now! Next thing Phoebe knows she’s got thousands of followers, everyone’s debating the morality of a blog she meant only as a place to share her research (because no one else wanted to answer her questions), and most importantly, everyone in town knows that whoever the writer is, they’re a local teen.

Her editor wants to write a story on her alter ego, she’s been assigned to write the latest sports article (what team’s even playing right now?), and worst of all, the woman who started this all is not only on a campaign against Pom, she’s decided to run for mayor with a regressive platform. Phoebe just wants to keep her head down and get through the rest of her year, but if she’s not careful, she won’t have a choice about coming clean.

On the Subject of Unmentionable Things comes out August 23rd of this year and luckily enough I was able to get a digital review copy from Netgalley (“lucky” meaning Random House Children’s has me on the auto approval list…) Thank you Random House/Netgalley! While browsing for a book to review for this particular post, the cover caught my eye. When I read the description, I knew I’d found The One.

Reading about Lydia Brookhurst and her campaign felt like a nightmare reborn. The tweets, the focus on divisive hot-button issues to fire up a base instead of discussing anything meaningful or positive, just…I could go on and on. Brookhurst was the worst sort of conservative candidate and all too familiar. Phoebe as the POV protagonist added another layer of horror, because she was actively targeted as “being a pervert” trying to “corrupt children.” But while that’s going on in the background, you have a pretty typical teen just trying to live her life. She has a crush on her editor, her best friend has a boyfriend and Phoebe has to navigate the changes that’s brought to their friendship, and she’s juggling a large variety of mundane and not so mundane responsibilities.

Walton also has a deft touch with her secondary characters. I appreciate it when it feels like they are real, well-rounded people with their own lives going on outside any interactions with the protagonist. The scenes with her parents were well-written, and I deeply appreciate that Phoebe’s school rival was only infrequently brought up in the book. There was enough other stuff going on, and high school books don’t always need a bully/significant rival. Sometimes there’s just that one really annoying person in your orbit, and there’s nothing much to be done about it. At the end, Phoebe sees her doing something good and she essentially goes in her head, ‘Well…good for her. Cool she’s had a decent moment.’ and that’s it. It’s a tiny part of the story, but I really appreciate it. Character growth doesn’t always rely on the protagonist interfering in another’s life. People are more than what you see of them. It doesn’t excuse them, but it also doesn’t have to limit them.

Now, for a discussion w/SPOILERS!

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I think one of the most significant moments of this book for me was when Brookhurst won. It felt like 2015 all over again. Despite all the heavy stuff covered, the tone of the book remained light enough I was sure Brookhurst was going to lose. Brookhurst had inspired local vandals, she’d publicly outed Phoebe’s identity which lead to harassment and threats of violence/rape, and people were realizing how much of a legitimate threat she was. But it was too little too late. People hadn’t taken that threat seriously enough, figured she wouldn’t win, and meanwhile her supporters came out in droves. I felt kind of sick, honestly. But it was also a reminder (for me at least) of how important it is to not let people like that slide, to speak up, and to organize as a community. Brookhurst winning ended up motivating people to take action on their own and as a community, and I appreciated that. That something horrible can happen and it isn’t the end.

Past that, while it felt predictable that the first boy she has a crush on doesn’t end up being Mr. Perfect, I absolutely adored the boy that ends up being her love interest. Quarterback of the football team, he’s also obsessed with gardening. He has a stall at the local farmer’s market, and enjoys trying to create his own hybrids of fruit. He’s the one who was interested in her writing the sport’s article, and when she tries to get out of it with emailing over some questions, he calls her out on being lazy. He’s pro the blog beforehand, and while there’s some rocky waters after the big reveal (more due to the danger she’s in instead of the fact she’s Pom), things are fixed by the end of the story. Her best friend is great too—there’s a scene where Phoebe asks for her help to distract the school librarian, and while I’m still cringing imagining myself in the librarian’s shoes, the shameless lengths she went to cover for Phoebe was purely epic. (1) high school library and librarian will never be the same. R.I.P.

And to wrap up the spoilers (and back to Brookhurst), Phoebe comes across information she could have used against Brookhurst. No one else would have had to know. If they did, few would have blamed her. But as she sits across from her, with Brookhurst planning on blackmailing her in turn, Phoebe says release the information. I don’t care. But whether you do or not, I’m not going to share what I know about you. Because that’s not what I’m here for. And leaves. That was such a powerful moment. Despite everything she’s gone through because of Brookhurst, she decides to be the better person. I loved it.

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End Spoilers

This is a great book, and there is so much left I could discuss about it. I really enjoyed it, and I’m looking forward to getting it for my library. The sex ed element just feels like a matter of fact background element, one that comes up when it comes up, and otherwise isn’t a big deal. I’d still recommend further reading resources for anyone interested, but it’s not a bad starting point. Along those lines, Phoebe’s cis/interested in boys, but is pro LGBTQIA+. When asked a question about gay sex, she realizes her blog (as a personal research project she just happened to share online) is very focused on things from that point of view, and starts doing broader research to cover more topics as well as linking to more in-depth information. As a content warning, Phoebe is doxxed and she has to suffer some of the unfortunately normal crap that goes along with it. Walton doesn’t dwell on it, but there are threats of violence and rape along with other harassment. Her parents end up buying a new house to make it safer for her.

TLDR is: If it isn’t already on your list for August, I’d recommend it! I’d give it a 9/10.

Phoebe is known at school as a rule follower -she doesn't particularly stand out. But what people don't know about Phoebe is that she's also secretly Pom, the anonymous teen who started a blog called The Circle in the Square to teach teens all about sex. She loves to research and is particularly fascinated with the subject of sex - even if she's never had it herself. Naturally, the blog goes viral - especially when a mayoral candidate deems it an assault on morality and calls Pom a pervert. She vows to get to the bottom of who is writing the blog. But Phoebe won't back down so easily.

I loved the overarching message of this book. That teens should know about sex so that they can make smart, informed decisions. But I also loved that this book took on more intense topics like the divide between knowledge and morality, and how one community deals with a divisive topic. Not to mention the courage to pursue truth in the face of adversity. A lot of this book felt very relevant to the current topics we're dealing with in our world.

I loved the Phoebe character as well as the other side characters in her life. Particularly her best friend. And I think if a true young adult was reading this book, there would be a lot of really great information for them inside - there were so many sex facts packed into this book. It's a bit slow moving, but overall, a great book for young adults.

This book will be reviewed on an upcoming episode of the Reading Through Life podcast.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

On the Subject of Unmentionable Things follows teen Phoebe, a rule-following high school junior, as her secret blog offering well-researched and honest sex education goes viral.

Any book that speaks honestly about the importance of sex education in a sex-positive way is a win in my book, and this book is no exception. This book is honest and up front about the ways in which an honest sex education can benefit teens, as well as the detriments and pitfalls of more conservative, abstinence-centered approaches to sex education.

But beyond the lesson at its core about sex education in schools and the ways in which teens navigate sex in their own lives, this book holds up a mirror to our society in a way that I absolutely loved. Phoebe's blog's virality occurs against the backdrop of a mayoral election in her small California town, a mayoral election whose conservative, former beauty queen candidate represents many dangerous ideologies present in our own political climate beyond just abstinence-only sex education. Not only does this book get you thinking about sex education, but it also gets you thinking and reflecting on a lot of other things about life in the modern world.

Overall I loved this book, and I wish I had a book like this that spoke honestly about sex education when I was in high school. I'm so glad that there are teens who will have the opportunity to engage with sex education and its importance in this honest, relatable, and non-judgmental way.

DNF. I got about 20% of the way in, and I just couldn't stick with it. I will possibly try to come back to this one later as the other reviews are mostly positive, but there were a few times that I cringed at stereotypical language at the beginning of the book, and it didn't set the tone well for me.

⭐⭐⭐⭐️💫 / 4.5 stars

This was a fantastic book and one that I will be encouraging my soon-to-be sixteen year old son to read.

The way in which the author addresses both uncomfortable but important subject matter is refreshing.

From sexual curiosity and censorship to racism and the reach of social media; Julia Walton addresses it all with such knowledge, class, and inclusivity.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and the author for this digital Advanced Reader Copy.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4.5/5 stars.

Oh my god. This is SUCH an important novel for young adults, especially in regards to the discussion of sexuality and teenagers engaging in sexual activity. Phoebe writes a sex blog under the pseudonym "Pom" after finding a research interest as a 14 year old purchasing boxes of materials from an OB-GYN's estate sale. Pom's exposure explodes after a local mayor candidate -- who represents the right Christian morality group -- makes the blog go viral.

The novel deals with Phoebe's own conceptions of sexuality, hiding her identity, and helping those who attend their school (and the world) with their questions and concerns -- all while a nasty mayoral election campaign is going on AND Phoebe is dealing with bias from the school newspaper she works at.

The amount of information in this would be SO beneficial for teenagers and yeah, it might make them uncomfortable but I think the novel points out that 1) abstinence doesn't stop them from having sex and 2) they need to get accurate information from somewhere.

Also, Phoebe and Jorge were adorable. The plot was good. The intention was good. I just didn't like some elements of the plot w/ the mayoral campaign because it felt semi-unresolved.

Covers a timely topic with smooth, readable prose and some humor. Phoebe is a great narrator, observant and honest with a strong point of view, and the other characters are also well-defined. I appreciated the build of the romance, which was sweet and quite adorable, if a little lacking in sizzle. Antagonist Lydia Brockhurst does come across as incredibly cookie-cutter and lacking in nuance, but these days that seems close enough to reality that it isn't overly objectionable. I will mention that the sex advice does lean very heavily cis-centric, and small later additions don't do much to shift or walk back all the mentions of "female pleasure" or "male genitalia," and its very noticeable because of Phoebe/Pom's alleged status as transgressively enlightened and the current anti-trans positioning which would seemingly go part and parcel with the Brockhurst agenda. A quick, engaging read which will likely feel current and real to those who pick it up. Recommend to those who enjoyed Mathieu's Moxie, Keenan's Rebel Girls, or Smyth's Not My Problem.

This was one of the most adorable books I've ever read! And the most needed. I would have welcomed Phoebe into my library with welcome arms and provided her with all the research needed. Of course, I was also the librarian who was banned by that same woman. So, I feel Phoebe's pain!! Anyone who has this need to spread knowledge, and bears the pain of having that knowledge squashed or quieted, will so appreciate this book. Phoebe/Pom was such a relatable character in every way. I kept wanting to hug the book in hopes it would relay that hug to her.

Hell yes to a teen taking sex ed into her own hands, and creating such an incredible resource for other teens! I was so impressed with the characters in this story, and it felt very on point for the world we are living in today.

Quiet, smart, and inexperienced Phoebe Townsend is the author of a sex education blog gone viral called The Circle in the Square—but nobody knows it’s her. When a conservative political candidate gets a whiff of Phoebe’s blog and goes on a Twitter rampage, Phoebe’s blog goes viral, bringing supporters and critics alike. As a teenager herself, Phoebe understands how awkward it is to ask questions about sex and understands how important her blog is to teens looking for answers. Unfortunately, our aforementioned conservative political candidate, Lydia Brookhurst, has decided to make shutting down The Circle in the Square one of her priorities—replacing it and all sex education at the schools with abstinence only education. Phoebe isn’t going to back down, no matter what.

What makes this novel stand out from others is that it actually offers information about sex and safe sex. Using Phoebe’s blog as a platform to educate readers felt so simple yet so brilliant. I would have been stoked to have this book around when I was a teenager (and Phoebe’s blog, too) not because I was looking for any “tips or tricks” on how to have sex, but, because like many teens, I was simply curious. Additionally, in the current American political climate, safe sex education is absolutely pertinent. I can see this book being challenged at many libraries and schools—and I mean that as a compliment. No one bans a book that isn’t important.

Content Warning: vandalism, cyberbullying

This book comes at the right time when current events in the USA are heightened because of the overturning of abortion rights. So reading this feels very relevant!

+ sex positivity. Phoebe is a high school student and a great writer. She writes for her school newspaper and she also has a blog that gives out information about sex. No one knows it’s her behind the blog but it’s a space where she can help others who need help finding answers to such a taboo topic. I wish I had all this information when I was young. We did have sex education class in the 5th grade, 7th grade, and even in the 9th grade because there was a high rate of teenage pregnancy going on in those days – but kids didn’t ask any questions because it really was a taboo topic.

+ I liked seeing all these high school kids with such different passions – Phoebe with journalism and science, Jorge with botany or planting crops, and others with their involvement in school and even politics.

+ Phoebe’s voice was great because she didn’t have all the answers but she tried to do her research and she really did reply respectfully to all the people making comments on her blog. Her blog really caused an uproar because people in on the internet believed her blog encouraged teens to have more sex. I know this can be a hot topic in politics with one side thinking no one should have sex until marriage but in my life experiences, reality doesn’t happen that way. People have sex. Teens have sex. Why is it bad for them to be informed on how to stay safe? So I understood Phoebe’s stance. What was horrible was the backlash that came when they revealed her identity. People really can be atrocious to one another.

+ The romance was sweet and I liked that when Phoebe finally had her own experiences with kissing and more, she was informed and took her time. The scene is a fade to black moment and perfect for this story. I like that the romance wasn’t the main focus of this story but a nice way to show Phoebe’s new experiences with boys.

~ Phoebe gave information about sex on the blog but when it finally came to a gay person asking a question and she had no clue how tot respond, she acknowledged that about herself – and realized she didn’t have information on that. She went and did research and I applauded her for that. It would have been nice to have some LGBTQ+ characters in this story because EVERYONE has questions about sex.

~ The election events in this book gave me minor ptsd – it’s so stressful these days but like I said, stays current to the times we are living in, sadly.


Why you should read it:
*this is a sex positive, smart, eye-opening story
*Phoebe has a great voice – she’s mature, coming of age and dealing with emotions and standing up for things she believes in
*coincides with the political atmosphere going on in America today

Why you might not want to read it:
*doesn’t have much LGBT+ rep – even with the sex information

My Thoughts:

This is really a fantastic book and one perfect for teens and young adults to read. I felt like it was open, positive (except for the negative reactions to Phoebe and her blog), hopeful and eye-opening. With so much happening to women’s rights in America right now, I feel like this book is timely and makes us realize nothing is wrong with trying to learn more and be safe. I wish I had a blog like this when I was young and dating. I do wish there was more LGBT+ rep in the story but I can understand that Phoebe was still learning and growing. Overall I think this story is very relevant and Phoebe is a brave character for standing up for what she believes in.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for this ARC of On the Subject of Unmentionable Things.

On the Subject of Unmentionable Things by Julia Walton manages to show how teenagers are curious and will find the answers they seek when it comes to sex education.

I have to admit that this book tackled a lot of hard issues. Topics that make adults uncomfortable. Things like sex, romance, bullying, and politics. We follow a young high school protagonist who was curious and started seeking out clinical answers to all her questions about sex. She journaled her research as a blog. But the moment she created a Twitter account for the blog she suddenly is thrust into the spotlight when a parent in the community discovers the anonymous blog and makes it her crusade to tear apart the community to find out who the blogger is. I really found the voices of the teenagers to sound really authentic particularly on the hard hitting topics addressed surrounding sex.

I can definitely see myself sharing this book as a recommendation to students. I myself couldn't put it down! (with some content warnings).

I absolutely loved this book! It was such a unique premise. Some parts of it were predictable, but I loved all the things the main character goes through. in her journey. I wish more books were made like this. I devoured the book in a day!

On the subject of unmentionable things is a fantastic book. It is deals with many issues that one hears all the time about people forcing their beliefs on others. The topic of sex and teenagers will greatly resonate with the readers of this novel. As an adult, I believe adults need to remember what it was like to be a teenager and having questions that teenagers do that need reliable answers. Sometimes the topics might make be uncomfortable, but are topics that are important to discuss. This story greatly focuses on that. Would highly recommend this novel.

Loved this book! Phoebe is my spirit animal and I would love to have a kid like her in our town. This book tackles a hot - button topic with truth, grace and a lot of compassion. I think that not only young people should read it but it should be a must read for parents and anyone who works with young people.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this title to preview.

This novel is part sex education and part a coming of age story. Phoebe, our main character, secretly writes a well-cited blog called The Circle in the Square. Once she launched her associated Twitter accounts, folks realized the name of her town because she didn't have the location services setting turned off. What follows is a conflict between a mayoral candidate and Phoebe's blog. Lydia Brookhurst finds the blog inappropriate for teens and runs on a campaign promise of abstinence only education. She calls the blog filth and smut and other associated terms.

Phoebe, an aspiring writer, is proud of her work, but wants to remain anonymous. She argues that facts aren't political and that she is merely providing information for people who need it. And given the scenes in the character's health class--most students need it.

The conflict rises as the reader just knows that Phoebe will eventually be outed as the blog author--but we just aren't sure how. Will Brookhurst identify her? Will Phoebe be careless and out herself? What will people think?

Walton includes many scenes in which Phoebe is writing her blog or responding to questions on her blog to include some sex education in the novel. Phoebe is always ensuring that each answer is factual and linked back to sources and/or cites sources.

What I loved most about this novel was how the teens had their passions: journalism, hybrid plants, sex education, etc. It was nice to see teens geek out and what makes them happy.

I think sex positive stories for teens are super important, which is why I wanted to read this. However, I believe said stories should also be inclusive of all teens, and not just the allocishet ones. The book starts off immediately with some very cisnormative language, and it didn't seem like it was going to get better, which is why I decided to DNF.

On the Subject of Unmentionable Things
by Julia Walton
Pub Date: 23 Aug 2022
If the cover isn't intriguing enough, the wit and wisdom found in the pages of this novel will get you.
Phoebe is a mousy journalism student trying to get through high school. She is also the anonymous author of a scientifically-based, well-researched sex blog for teens. Though no experience herself, she has found that her peers are grossly misinformed about sex. She has decided to do something about it in the form of a well-researched blog. Enter the town's substantially wealthy, close-minded mayoral candidate Mrs. Lyia Brookhurst, who is determined to unveil the identity of the sex "pervert" behind the blog to deflect some bad press she's received and making her a hero among her sheep followers. However, her attacks on the blog make it go viral while dividing the town.
Phoebe never meant to become famous (anonymously or not), but she does realize, now more than ever, students need open-discussion that will lead them to making better, safer choices. Her fight isn't her own.
Things to know before your read this book:
1. You will laugh out loud.
2. You will want to punch some of the characters.
3. You will learn about sex through scientifically sound research.
4. You will be shocked what some students (and adults) think they know about sex.
5. You will wish Phoebe had been your sex ed teacher.
I want a Circle in the Square Tshirt.
#netgalley #OntheSubjectofUnmentionableThings
#JuliaWalton

I think this is a great book for younger readers to read. It is very sex positive and is about learning what sex is. I think a lot of times schools only teach the basics of sex. But people have so many questions. This book helps people learn to understand there bodies. For me as a 27 year old I don't think this book was for me. Just because I am more educated than most younger reads. But I think this would be a good book for younger reads.

I loved this. It is definitely riding the coattails of the show Sex Education but I'm not mad about it. I'm so happy that the youth of today have resources and are able to have conversations about sex that even my generation (and I didn't think I was that old going into this reading) didn't have.

I loved the characters in this book. It was a good friend book and I loved David. I loved that the main character's relationship with David (her best friend's beau) grew as well. So often in YA literature the BF's significant other is either unwelcome or unimportant but that is a good relationship to explore as well.

Overall, this book was very well done.