Push by Sapphire

In an effort to read this before the movie, "Precious" (based on this book), came to town, I didn't need to worry about finishing on time as it's a very quick read and I couldn't put the book down. This is a short yet very disturbing story of Precious Jones, an obese, illiterate, sexually and emotionally abused, pregnant 16 year old from Harlem who can't catch a break no matter where she turns until she is enrolled in an alternative school where she finally begins to value herself after a lifetime of self-hatred. Don't get turned off by the author's use of language. The flow of the writing takes a little getting used to but is necessary to give a voice to this girl and her attempt at understanding how to survive the hand she's been dealt....a horrendous hand at that. Makes you realize what cushy lives so many of us lead. Makes me want to pick up something light and airy to read next!