The Chaperone is a YA dystopian novel in the vein of The Handmaid’s Tale. In New America, girls cannot be alone anywhere after their menarche and must be supervised by a trained chaperone. 

When Stella’s chaperone dies unexpectedly, she begins to learn about the resistance movement against the Minute Men and the New American leadership. 

I was enjoying this a moderate amount until the last quarter when the book really started to sing it’s own song. I’m impressed with the messaging in this book while it also maintains suitability for the entire YA age range. There is limited violence, no sex scenes, and only limited allusion to sexual assault- which felt very important to the story. 

Overall, I think this is an excellent YA dystopian novel about the importance of reproductive freedom and the dangers of vilifying those who can bear children as wonton and immoral. 

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.