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jessicabrazeal's review against another edition
3.0
This is a YA fiction, but this is a look at labor trafficking in the US. This focuses much more on the after-effects of the trafficking as opposed to the actual trafficking itself.
nicole6559's review against another edition
2.0
Since this book was released I have always eyed it and wondered if it was any good. So when I saw it at my local library I knew I had to get it.
My thoughts on this novel are not meant to be malicious at all. Though it has a great message and helped me to further understand modern day slavery, I did not like this books at all.
The story read more like an essay, and while that is not a problem for most people, I prefer books to be told in a story-narration tone. Does that make sense? And at some parts the author sounded like she was lecturing the readers. I also think that she sounded very stuck up. Look. I get that she has trust issues, but she just seemed to just focus on everyone's faults.
Another big issue I had with this book is how blatantly islamaphobic the author is. I understand that the author was mistreated by Muslim men in her childhood, but most Muslim men are not controlling and abusive.
Besides those issues, my understanding of modern slavery did grow with reading this book. And that is really the only thing I enjoyed. If the book wasn't just 230 pages I probably would have stopped sooner.
The message of this book is really the only thing this book has going for it, and I would not recommend it unless you really want to be informed on modern day slavery.
My thoughts on this novel are not meant to be malicious at all. Though it has a great message and helped me to further understand modern day slavery, I did not like this books at all.
The story read more like an essay, and while that is not a problem for most people, I prefer books to be told in a story-narration tone. Does that make sense? And at some parts the author sounded like she was lecturing the readers. I also think that she sounded very stuck up. Look. I get that she has trust issues, but she just seemed to just focus on everyone's faults.
Another big issue I had with this book is how blatantly islamaphobic the author is. I understand that the author was mistreated by Muslim men in her childhood, but most Muslim men are not controlling and abusive.
Besides those issues, my understanding of modern slavery did grow with reading this book. And that is really the only thing I enjoyed. If the book wasn't just 230 pages I probably would have stopped sooner.
The message of this book is really the only thing this book has going for it, and I would not recommend it unless you really want to be informed on modern day slavery.
hugtherocks's review against another edition
4.0
Shyima's story is as heartbreaking as it is inspiring. I was moved by her strength and courage, despite being subjected to the most deplorable of human actions. I'm so glad she was willing and empowered to share her story so that others in her position, in the United States as well as abroad might also be rescued from human trafficking.
Only about half of this book recounts her time in captivity. Which is more than enough to get an idea of the life she endured under her oppressors. The second half of the book speaks of her rescue, time in the US foster care system, and her assimilation and journey into citizenship. This part of the book maybe the most important, because it's tells of her experiences and perceptions, and how we can be vigilant and try to fight the nightmare of modern-day slavery that people in our own neighborhoods and communities may be living.
Only about half of this book recounts her time in captivity. Which is more than enough to get an idea of the life she endured under her oppressors. The second half of the book speaks of her rescue, time in the US foster care system, and her assimilation and journey into citizenship. This part of the book maybe the most important, because it's tells of her experiences and perceptions, and how we can be vigilant and try to fight the nightmare of modern-day slavery that people in our own neighborhoods and communities may be living.
lindsayw's review against another edition
3.0
Won as part of Goodreads' First Reads program. Full review to come when it arrives!
Update: The three stars should be interpreted cautiously, because this book definitely tells a really great story. It is slightly different from a lot of the other books on human trafficking that have a similar premise to this one, such as "Slave", in that while "Slave" discussed her time as a slave in great detail for much of the book, more than half of "Hidden Girl" is devoted to her life after she was rescued. I'm not saying this is better or worse, I was just sort of pleased to find that it was a unique approach to take. Also, it's nice to see where Shyima has arrived in her life and what amazing strides she made in adapting to her life once she was free. A very inspiring story.
That being said, the reason I gave it three stars is that I really didn't care for the style. It's very colloquial. I hadn't expected to see that on the back it says this is for young readers, but now that I know that is the intended audience, I guess it makes sense. But the very informal style it's written in just didn't do it for me, and sort of detracted from my enjoyment of the book. Anyway, a good story, but definitely for a slightly younger audience.
Update: The three stars should be interpreted cautiously, because this book definitely tells a really great story. It is slightly different from a lot of the other books on human trafficking that have a similar premise to this one, such as "Slave", in that while "Slave" discussed her time as a slave in great detail for much of the book, more than half of "Hidden Girl" is devoted to her life after she was rescued. I'm not saying this is better or worse, I was just sort of pleased to find that it was a unique approach to take. Also, it's nice to see where Shyima has arrived in her life and what amazing strides she made in adapting to her life once she was free. A very inspiring story.
That being said, the reason I gave it three stars is that I really didn't care for the style. It's very colloquial. I hadn't expected to see that on the back it says this is for young readers, but now that I know that is the intended audience, I guess it makes sense. But the very informal style it's written in just didn't do it for me, and sort of detracted from my enjoyment of the book. Anyway, a good story, but definitely for a slightly younger audience.
anasief's review against another edition
4.0
This book was very eye-opening, but not in an overwhelming way… which made me really enjoy it. I believe that this topic isn’t discussed nearly enough, so I am so glad I got the chance to read about it.
kmarx94's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic book by a very strong woman! What really made this book stand out was the fact that this was a true story. The way it was written and the entire experience Shyima went through made it feel like I was reading a fictional story. But, unfortunately not. Shyima's story is painful and disgusting and I'm so relieved to see what has occurred since she was rescued and her story does help make me more aware of the real situations going on right now, in terms of human trafficking and slavery. I highly recommend this book to all. I can't even imagine the sort of suffering and loneliness Shyima experienced and I know that I wouldn't want anyone else to experience it either. We may think these experiences wouldn't happen to those close to us, but Shyima shows us that's not the case. Even though Shyima's life story started out with this horrible experience, that she'll never gain answers for, she's taken this pain and motivated others to help change the world.
This was one of my library books that had been recommended to me by my niece. It was the first book she's ever recommended to me and it was an amazing read. With school and work this book took me quite a bit to finish, but the book itself is written so well and it does keep your attention throughout the book. I originally started the book at the end of August, but when my power was out all day yesterday (so no homework for me!) I re-read the entire start and finished it in one go!
This was one of my library books that had been recommended to me by my niece. It was the first book she's ever recommended to me and it was an amazing read. With school and work this book took me quite a bit to finish, but the book itself is written so well and it does keep your attention throughout the book. I originally started the book at the end of August, but when my power was out all day yesterday (so no homework for me!) I re-read the entire start and finished it in one go!