Books like Such a Pretty Girl

Although this book deals with a dark and demented issue, its style, readability, and theme of justice made it impossible for me to put down. Meredith, a 15-year-old girl, was promised nine years of protection from the government when her father was charged with molesting and raping her when she was 12 years old. Her father was sent to prison and was supposed to be locked up until Meredith was 18 and legally free from her father's guardianship. But to Meredith's horror, he is released after only three years for "good behavior." Meredith comments, "Of course he was on good behavior, there aren't any children in prison." Now that he has been released back into the public, Meredith (as well as her friends) know it is only a matter of time before her father will strike again. He is not the type of offender who wants to change - he is a pedophile who truly believes he loves children (boys and girls) and can't keep his hands off, regardless of what the law says. Meredith finds herself in an almost impossible situation: does she wait around for her father to attack a pure and innocent child, or does she offer herself as a sacrifice, hoping he can be put away for good? This gripping story will have you not only disgusted by the degrading acts of incest, pedophilia, and child molestation, it will also have your heart enraptured in rooting for Meredith as she heroically attempts to fight for herself and all other child molestation and rape victims. This book, though a difficult subject, realistically portrays the evil that too many children encounter in our society: molestation and rape by a family member. Though this entire book could not be taught in the classroom, it is a good resource for teachers and students to read in order to have at least some sort of understanding of the horror that molestation and rape victims face and have to deal with. I think that excerpts could definitely be used in the classroom. This book could also be used to discuss the justice system's procedure in handling child sex offenders. Also, Meredith's mother turns a blind eye to Meredith's father and refuses to see that his actions were done by choice, not by mistake. This book could be used to explore the real-life cases and consequences of those who choose to turn a blind eye to the evils in society and accept the wrong done by others and the destruction it causes in a family, community, and society.ALA 2008 Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers