Maria Padian, Maine author of the powerful new YA novel “Wrecked,” will discuss her book from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at The Children’s Book Cellar, 52 Main St., Waterville.

“Wrecked,” published Oct. 4, 2016, deftly tackles the issue of rape on college campuses — a timely topic given recent headlines, unfortunately, according to a news release from Algonquin Books and Algonquin Young Readers. This impossible-to-put-down story unfolds through the eyes of Haley and Richard, the roommates of the victim and the accused, as they find themselves pushed to opposite sides of the investigation and entangled in their own new romance. Through compulsively readable prose, Padian brilliantly highlights the uncertainty that surrounds sexual assault cases. And while examining conflicting versions of the truth (especially when alcohol is involved), Padian does an amazing job at getting readers to consider consent, justice, and how universities handle sexual assault cases.

Padian is a graduate of Middlebury College (BA) and the University of Virginia (MA). She is a freelance writer, essayist, and author of young adult novels, including “Brett McCarthy: Work in Progress,” “Jersey Tomatoes Are the Best” and “Out of Nowhere.” She lives with her family in Brunswick. Visit Maria Padian online at www.mariapadian.com and find her on Twitter: @mpadian.

For more information, contact Brooke Csuka, publicist, Algonquin Books & Algonquin Young Readers, at 919-913-3868.