What the Woods Took chronicles the journey of five “troubled teens” in a behavioral therapy program. Therefore, some of the thematic material included contains mentions of substance abuse, child endangerment, sexual assault and child sexual abuse (CSA), and suicide. Included also are depictions of gore and violence against children. For a more detailed description of sensitive content, please visit gouldbooks.com/wtwt.
While many of the speculative dangers the characters of What the Woods Took face are fictional, details of the program they are enrolled in are taken from many real-life wilderness therapy programs that are still in operation today. These programs are often inhumane, meant to exploit children and their families both emotionally and financially. Activism from groups such as Breaking Code Silence and testimony from survivors of the troubled teen industry have made massive strides in outlawing the kidnapping and forced institutionalization of many teens in the United States. While these programs are beginning to face consequences for their abuse, there is still work to be done. If the treatment of the characters in this novel at the hands of REVIVE disturbs you, please consider donating to one of the many organizations fighting against the injustice of the troubled teen industry. For a list of legislative changes, articles with more information, and organizations to donate to, please visit gouldbooks.com/wtwtinfo.