*Book Review* Little Peach by Peggy Kern (YA/Contemporary)

Published by: Balzer & Bray
Released: March 10, 2015
Source: NetGalley/Publisher
Format: E-Book, 208 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

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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. 

Little Peach, by Peggy Kern, is a realistic contemporary young adult story that shines the light on one of America's darkest problems; child sex trafficking. The narrator of the story is 14 year old Michelle "Little Peach" Boyton who runs away from her drug addicted festering pustule of a mother, and ends up believing she's been saved by Devon aka "Daddy" when he takes her in, and gives her a roof over her head.

"This is reality, whether you like it or not."

Michelle's journey should outrage you. It should move you to take action. It should make you think of the reasons why these kids find themselves running away from abusive homes where their parents boyfriends, girlfriends, or drug providers take advantage of them to the point where they feel useless and helpless. I need to repeat what other reviewers have said. Reading Little Peach should definitely come with warnings. There are disturbing and brutal scenes of rape, child molestation, and violence.

"Unlike a bag of heroine, a girl can be sold again and again."

Thanks to the authors own research in Brooklyn, New York, this story is heartbreaking. Like other readers I trust, I had a hard time not feeling outraged and ashamed by our system that let's these poor kids fall through the cracks where they are never heard from again. It's no wonder that we have such a huge missing kids situation on our hands when the law turns a blind eye to what is happening right in front of their eyes.

I appreciate that Kern has written this story. It needs to be read by everyone, no matter how uncomfortable it makes YOU feel. I'm also sending a warning to the medical community, especially nurses. Stop treating abusive kids as though it is THEIR fault!!! Treat them like they are human beings, and not scum you can throw away.

**I received this book for free from (Balzer & Bray/Harperteen) via (Edelweiss) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**