Monday, March 9, 2015

Review: Little Peach by Peggy Kern

Little Peach

 Little Peach by Peggy Kern
What do you do if you're in trouble?
When Michelle runs away from her drug-addicted mother, she has just enough money to make it to New York City, where she hopes to move in with a friend. But once she arrives at the bustling Port Authority, she is confronted with the terrifying truth: she is alone and out of options.
Then she meets Devon, a good-looking, well-dressed guy who emerges from the crowd armed with a kind smile, a place for her to stay, and eyes that seem to understand exactly how she feels.
But Devon is not what he seems to be, and soon Michelle finds herself engulfed in the world of child prostitution where he becomes her “Daddy” and she his “Little Peach.” It is a world of impossible choices, where the line between love and abuse, captor and savior, is blurred beyond recognition.
This hauntingly vivid story illustrates the human spirit’s indomitable search for home, and one girl’s struggle to survive.

”add

Publishes in US: March 10th 2015 by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen
Genre: ya contemp
Source: Harper Teen via Edelweiss
Series? no

Buy it:   Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound  Book Depository

Author stalk away: TwitterGoodreads

 

    I wanted to read Little Peach because topics like sex trafficking really speaks to me. Women and girls who are taking advantage of are such important topic and fiction like this, with powerful writing and hard-hitting emotions showing how its possible to end up in such a compromising situation. 

   I felt for Michelle, but I didn't connect with her as much as I wanted to. It was a fast moving, shorter read. The author used flashbacks to tell the story, going to her childhood to show her connection to her grandpa, and the dysfunction surrounding her mom. In her present, she is in the hospital after being beaten up. There is the lady she is addressing, who seems to be in her corner the most. The cops are short with her as well as the nurse because they are weary and see so many girls who sell their bodies come through that they don't always seem to stop and realize that there is a damaged little girl forced into this lifestyle. 

   Devon creates a home that seems welcoming, and he helps her when she shows up in NYC and has no one else. She is exhausted, starved, and wearing her grandpa's tshirt too big for her. He fed her, gave her a bed, took her shopping for clothes, and she felt taken care of for the first time in a while. There are two girls that live with them, Baby and Kat. Baby still has an innocence to her, and my heart went out to her. Kat tried to help Peach aka Michelle learn the ropes no matter how unpleasant.

   Baby was twelve years old, but a lot of her actions were like she was still a preschooler. She sucked her thumb, watched the same movies over and over. But then there were times when she was older than her years. She slept too much, and she was able to shut herself from reality when she was doing tricks. 

   Michelle finally got a lot of courage, but it took a lot to open her eyes to the reality and brutality of working for a gang member pimp. She was beaten, in a lot of pain, and had to see so much that someone her age shouldn't have it. 

    I liked that it showed some hope for her moving forward but also the reality that after going through something like that, certain things will always be darker. As a teen still, she knew that having no family and leaving would put her in the foster system, a group home, and those of course are notorious for abuse and neglect.  

    
Bottom Line: Fast and emotional look at a teen's homelessness and descent into being pimped out.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Did you ever travel alone when you were a kid?

27 comments:

  1. This is definitely a trigger book ,which is why I stayed away from it. Has such an important story to tell, though, and glad you enjoyed it (well, as much as you can enjoy a book like this anyway) I never travelled alone when I was younger. I did have this weekend thing with my school when I was like 10-11, so I wasn't with family, but felt like you were travelling alone, haha.

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  2. This is a tough one Brand! I'm glad it was done well and gave hope for such a dark subject. The name Little Peach breaks my heart everytime I read it.
    Thanks for the thoughtful review, Brandi :)

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  3. Sounds like a topical read that has the potential to take a look at so many issues. I'm so glad it was done well.


    http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk

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  4. This sounds really dark and emotional, but quite good! I think it's an important subject and something teens don't always think about when they run away. They don't fully consider their options and how things will be.

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  5. This sounds like a gripping read. In answer to your question, I never did travel alone. Frankly, I was too scared. I didn't live in a bad neighborhood or anything, but the elementary school was huge on "stranger danger." Sort of creeped me out when I was young. And then there are stories like these, that could happen in real life. Plus, I just didn't like going anywhere alone.

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  6. This one sounds like it would hurt but I really think these kind of stories are so important. Great review.

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  7. I am reading this soon and I know it will be a very tough and emotional book.

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  8. This sounds like it would be a painful read but it's such an important topic. We can't pretend it's not happening.

    My mother wouldn't even let me ride around the block on my bike when I was a kid so no traveling alone for me lol

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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  9. I am definitely going to be trying this one, although it is going to be a difficult from the sound of it. It is already on my TBR. I am someone who is interested in the topic of human trafficking and like you, feel very strongly about it and pulled to act. For this reason I am going to try this book.

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  10. Such an emotional book and I'm glad it was done well.

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  11. I agree, it def is a powerful book, and important subject

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  12. this book is in my TBR books, but it dosen't sound that good, anyway I will have to wait before I could read it :) Lovely Review

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  13. I haven't read about this topic yet but you're right, it's something interesting too. I should try. thanks for the review

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  14. Happy you loved this too! At least Michelle managed to get out somehow

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  15. Oh, men, this is next on my list - and I'm telling you, I'm so darn afraid and yet dying to start, all at once. It's very disconcerting. I admit I've been skimming your review, because I already know too much about the plot. Should be a tour of force from what I hear...

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  16. I read this just yesterday, I agree with your rating! I liked the concept but it fell too short. I wish it was a longer novel, lovely review :) Benish| Feminist Reflections

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  17. I've yet to read a book on this serious topic, but it sounds interesting. It really looks like an incredibly emotional read, I'll definitely have to check this one out.

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  18. Do you have a blog? would love to visit you back, but not sure your links

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  19. This are such emotional reads for me. They really hit me hard, somehow I don't find myself avoiding them, but to be honest this it's only the third book I've heard of with this topic. Scary, but I think I might give this a go. Thank you for putting it on my radar.
    Well said :)

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  20. sounds like a disturbing read. but relevant. really want to read this one too!

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  21. Wow, this sounds dark and the harsh reality of how law enforcement and the nurses treated them is heartbreaking.

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  22. I don't know if I could take this kind of read. I know child prostitution happens and it makes me sick to think there are those out there waiting for a poor vulnerable girl to take advantage of. This is when I think castration would be a proper punishment. I know, brutal, right? It's the mother in me speaking.



    No, I never traveled along when I was a kid. I felt suffocated at times, but looking back, it was because my parents loved me. Wonderful review, Brandi. :)

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  23. Thes kind of reads intrigue me too, glad to see she was able to heal in a new environment.

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  24. This read really got to me, because I know this kind of thing happens all the time. I could see how a confused young girl could fall into something like this and it breaks my heart. Lovely review!

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  25. yeah! http://tobooksandbeyondforever.blogspot.com

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  26. This is an important subject, for sure. Glad you enjoyed this overall!
    Jen @ YA Romantics

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