Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the horrifying and graphic depiction of child abuse marks this book as not for children. There is also plenty of swearing and drunkenness. Moreover, though the author herself is of Haitian descent, it would not be unreasonable for young readers to come away from this book with a very negative impression of the Haitian people.
Families who read this book could discuss Karina's dilemma: should she turn in her stepfather to protect her siblings, which could cause them to all be put out on the street and their illegal relatives to be deported; or lie to protect him and hope that he will change his ways? Also, you could discuss the publisher's age-rating of 12 and up. Should children be exposed to this kind of material at 12? Why or why not? For what age do you think it is appropriate?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Matt Berman
12 and up. That's the publisher's recommended age for this book. It's hard to imagine how anyone at the publisher could possibly have thought this book would be appropriate for children just leaving elementary school. Aside from all of the other problematic content listed in the Advisories, the graphic scenes of child abuse and its aftermath should have made somebody stop and think, "Wait a minute -- high school, maybe, but certainly not younger." Yes, the argument can be made that children need to know about the bad things in the world, as well as the good. But not like this.
Of almost equal concern is something more insidious. The violent scenes are obvious -- they hit you in the face until you gag. But the racism and twisted values sneak up on you.
First of all, the Haitian adults, nearly all of them, are portrayed as violent, dimwitted child abusers who won't lift a finger to prevent children from being beaten to death. The only one who does anything at all, and it's not much, is a drunk. The white adults are portrayed as so clueless that it strains credulity, but at least they mean well, whereas not one Haitian adult shows any love or care for the children who are being so horribly victimized. The author is Haitian herself, which makes one wonder if there is some sort of racial self-loathing going on here.
Second, the book starts with this line: "The best way to avoid being picked on by high school bullies is to kill someone." Quite a compelling opening hook, and at first the reader doesn't take it seriously. But the author means it literally: murdering her stepfather, and covering it up by setting fire to the house, is portrayed not only as the solution to the immediate problem of being beaten up, but also as the way Karina becomes more popular, ends her problems with bullies at school, and starts her family on the road to a better life. Forget telling the authorities the truth, even though they are all obviously itching to step in and put the stepfather in jail. Just off the guy, and all your problems will be solved.
This is a disturbing book, and for all the wrong reasons.
From The Book
The best way to avoid being picked on by high school bullies is to kill someone. Anyone will do. Accidental killings have the same effect as on- purpose murder. Of course, this is just my own theory. My sister Delta would say that my sample size isn't big enough to draw such a conclusion. But I bet I'm right.
Because now no one jerks my braids so my neck snaps back and I bite my tongue; no one pulls my backpack off and scatters my textbooks in one hallway, my notebooks in another, and leaves the bag in the boys' bathroom toilet; no one spits at me from the school bus; and Gorilla Arms Manning doesn't pretend to point with his right hand while grabbing my crotch with his left. Not since eighth grade. Not since I killed the Daddy.
Plot Summary:
Karina lives in New York, but her family comes from Haiti where, at least according to this book, severely beating children for the most minor of infractions is a cultural norm. But when her stepfather beats her sister Enid nearly to death, he has gone too far even for her relatives.
Nevertheless, Karina's mother and relatives insist that she lie to the social workers, police, and court in order to keep her stepfather out of jail. He does pay the bills, after all. Her mother says she won't let her stepfather beat them any more, but Karina has heard that promise before. But with every adult in her life -- relatives, friends, neighbors, teachers, police, social workers, community center director -- either encouraging her to lie or believing the absurd story she tells, to whom can she turn?
Related Books:
More Gritty Books about Child Abuse:
The Lottery Rose by Irene Hunt
Like the Lion's Tooth by Marjorie Kellogg
Goodnight, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian
Who is Eddie Leonard? by Harry Mazer
The Boy Who Could Make Himself Disappear by Kin Platt
Weeping Willow by Ruth White
No Turning Back: A Novel of South Africa by Beverley Naidoo
Sons of Liberty by Adele Griffin
Forged By Fire by Sharon M. Draper
You Don't Know Me by David Klass
The Boy from the Basement by Susan Shaw
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Sexual ContentTeens discuss wanting to lose their virginity somewhat graphically; a teenaged lesbian affair; kissing; a child molester; kids look at a a pornographic magazine; a boy grabs a girl's crotch. |
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ViolenceVicious, horrifying, graphically described child abuse nearly kills a child; children are punched, whipped with a belt, kicked, and burned by adults; a child kills an adult with a slat of wood and then sets fire to the house. |
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Language"S--t," "f--k," "bastard," "balls." |
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Social BehaviorAdults beat children, encourage them to lie in court and to social workers, and fail to protect them. Though the author herself is of Haitian descent, it would not be unreasonable for young readers to come away from this book with the impression that Haitians are hardly more than animals: all the adults, relatives and neighbors, are abusers, drunks, or both, and their actions display neither love nor sense. |
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CommercialismFast food, stores, and video game brands mentioned. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoAdults and children drink, get drunk, smoke, and use drugs. |
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