The story chronicles the early life and abuse of a young girl surrounded by a collection of abusive individuals. While it took me several chapters to become invested in the story and the many characters, I found the middle sections of the book very interesting. It's hard not to be touched by the horrible events that surround the central character. Overall, a solid read for those interested in real life stories of how individuals overcome horrible events and find a way to forgive and move forward and be successful. ( )

I could not even make it past the introduction in this book---I barely made it through the acknowledgements. I did not realize this was a religious book. It is not that I am not religious, I just do not want it thrown in my face constantly (to me religion is considered a private thing). But even as a religious person I would not be thanking God that I had been abused, and I certainly would not be thanking the person that abused me as this author does. ( )

An amazing story of overcoming childhood abuse and neglect and emerging a powerful and capable adult. This book impacted me greatly and I reread it several times. There is so much information contained in a small volume. A must read for survivors of childhood trauma. ( )

This book was so heart-wrenching and profoundly interesting! A great read and a look at what children, especially girls face "growing up" with drug addicted parents. The struggle of one girl to make it through so much hardship physically and emotionally and still find joy and happiness in her world is enlightening and makes for a very interesting read. ( )

I received a copy of this book from a Publisher’s giveaway on LibraryThing.com and the following is my honest opinion for the book.

Although it’s not directly stated reading this book I got the sense the storyline is actually a poignant fictionalized memoir of the author herself as there too many key points which both Binta, the girl in the story, and the author share. While a purist might say this book needs to be edited to some degree, I feel the writing as is adds to the authenticity of the story being from the girl’s POV.

Many other girls in the same position as Binta would have succumb to what the fates had in store for her, however the speck of faith she had in her heart and soul persevered and she survived. And having survived she herself, and like Lazarus rising from the dead, her life became one of commitment in helping young girls with some of the same issues she had to deal with, especially those which involve self-esteem and identity issues since she had already walked a mile in their shoes.

The title of this book truly defines what Binta had been going through, for any time she couldn’t run off to find some sort of sanctuary, the pain of the reality she had to endure took over and the hurting began.

For the message of hope written throughout the pages of this book, I’m giving Ms. Parker the 5 STARS it richly deserve ( )