I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This

In this poignant story, twelve-year-old Marie, a leading figure among the popular Black girls in Chauncey, Ohio, forms an unexpected bond with Lena Bright, a white girl struggling with her own turmoil. Both girls are united by the profound loss of their mothers and the weight of keeping secrets. As Lena grapples with a terrifying reality at home that threats her and her younger sister, Marie faces a heart-wrenching decision: to protect Lena’s secret or to reveal it for the sake of safety.