Out of the Cages

Out of the Cages is a real story of hope and tragedy - one I could not put down. Meena's character is captivating and sensitively portrayed in this heartbreaking yet compelling read. The story is emotionally engaging and I would recommend to individuals and book clubs who have a heart for social justice. A great conversation starter around the difficult subject of trafficking, reminding us we can all do our part by knowing a little more.

From the opening pages, I was captivated by the story of two girls coerced into the sex trade and their struggles for freedom. I couldn't put this book down: I held my breath for the girls, hoping against hope they would be OK, and I cried at the end. This book, while a work of fiction, is based on very real situations in Nepal and is compelling in its horror and its hope. Out of the Cages does not pull punches, but neither does it indulge in unnecessary graphic detail. This book would serve as a great conversation starter around difficult subjects of child trafficking. Trigger warning: this book contains themes of sexual assault. The storytelling is superb and I highly recommend Out of the Cages for young adult and mature readers alike.

Out of the Cages' is a sensitively written novel taking the reader on a journey with Meena, a victim of child sex trafficking. It's not an easy read, but anything written about child sex trafficking should not be easy to read. It should disturb us, horrify us, and anger us, with all these emotions pushing us to take action against human trafficking in whatever ways we are able. 'Out of the Cages' shows us the difference we can make to children's lives when we care, bringing us into Meena's life where we feel her terror, her pain, her despair. . . and eventually, her hope.

Penny Jaye was awarded the CALEB Award 2019 for Young Adult fiction for this fabulous book. To say I loved this book would be difficult, but that is only due to the subject about which it is written. 'Out of the Cages' is beautifully written. Written with honesty, sincerity, and a great deal of courage. Penny's research into this subject is second to none. The characters throughout, more than adequately portray how the atrocities of child sex trafficking would have, and still do affect these poor innocent children. The courage and determination of Meena's character displayed the character of the many children who have been lost but rescued. Penny paints an accurate picture of the circumstances surrounding the sex trafficking trade and in particular the psychological impact upon the children and their families. I became engaged with many of the characters, felt their pain, fear, and humiliation, and found myself sobbing as I read to the end. It wasn't an ideal ending in the sense of 'happily ever after' (there is no 'happily ever after' in this section of our cruel world). However, it was enlightening to see how Meena coped with the agony of her life, and how she was able to move on and recover. I would recommend this book to everyone over the age of fifteen.