America

I have read literally TONS of young adult fiction novels and I would have to say that this is my favorite along with When Kambia Elaine Flew In From Neptune by Lori Aurelia Williams and Ms. Frank's other book, Life Is Funny. I am fourteen years old currently but at the time I read this I was twelve almost thirteen and it has still resonated with me. I stayed up an entire night to read the book which was over two hundred pages but I couldn't stop. I felt a great desire to know what was happening next and I couldn't stop. It is an incredibly well written book and has one of the most powerful plots I have EVER come across. It shows the crippling horror of abuse to an innocent child and his experiences growing old from a broken home. I would reccomend it to anyone age twelve and over who are tired of fluffy marshmallow plots of some of the books for teens today.

Cathy says AMERICA uses gritty language authentic to the experience of the protagonist. She's right about that. Then she says it's not appropriate as a library book. On this point, she is dead wrong. In a perfect world, characters like Frank's chronically abused America would only exist in works of troubling fiction. But as the author understands, there are thousands of kids living America's life in our free nation every day. Some do not suffer to the degree America has in the broken foster care system. Some only suffer a taste of abuse. But every teen that believes he or she is the ONLY one living this kind of life will find great comfort and kinship within the pages of America, in part because Frank doesn't shy from the authenticity Cathy finds "offensive." Well, in a way I agree with her. It is deeply offensive that children must endure the kind of pain America and real kids like him have to endure. But telling their stories is NOT offensive. Telling their stories can, in fact, save lives. America may not be for all readers, but that is for each parent to decide for their OWN children. It's not Cathy's decision to make. And as long as Cathy has the intellectual freedom to say it does NOT belong on library shelves, my right to see it safely shelved is protected as well.

Please, step back and pause for a moment. If you don't understand this book, if it is uninspirational or overwhelmingly disturbing, if this novel comes across as entirely wrong in the context of reality, you need to gain some perspective on the lives of so many children. You need a "reality check." It is through ignorance that injustice exists, and these kids suffer for it daily. Step out of the box, please...you'll be changed, and glad you did. More importantly, you'll be able to help. At that point, help. If you haven't read the book, please read the book. Then, help.

Realistically written, this book tells a story of a troubled teen lost in the system of mental care and more importantly lost in the world. It is with cynicism and humor that he tells us about his damaging past and the bleakness of his present. The book goes back and forth between his childhood and the present, as if the narrator is having flashbacks. The reader is taken on a journey as the character grows up, getting to know the character well and feeling for him. An interesting read for young adults, compelling and moving.

America is by far the best portrayal of a young person trapped in society's system of foster care that I have ever seen. The book may be too real for some, but not if you are a realist. America's battle to understand who he is in this world is an exhiliratingly sad ride that alerts readers to a child welfare system that is overworked and understaffed. America actually gets "lost" in the system, which is symbolic of the thousands of American children who are ignored and "lost" everyday in our country's protection services. America reminds us that our children need more than just parents to raise and watch out for them. Our children need other adults, teachers, coaches, counselors, neighbors and general role models to look out for our youth and set a positive example for them. All of those commercials that ask for communities to take a second to get to know their youth are not for those of us who already do that. Even if you chose not to have kids, our country was not built on the attitude of "It's not my responsibility." I love America symbolically, literally and on so many levels I can't even put it into words. America is beautiful. If this book doesn't touch your emotions, then you are not human. This book is raw, real and heartbreakingly intriguing. Thank you E.R. Frank for an expertly written Young Adult novel.