Couldn't even make it to page 50. I couldn't care less about the main character or anyone else, the story did not fit the poetry form at all (Karen Hesse this author is not!) and the writing itself was painfully pedestrian. This one was not for me.

This book was okay. ( )

YA, abuse, verse, volleyball

Intense read for fans of A Child Called It, The Lost Girl, and Damaged.
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SUMMARY: Anke’s father is abusive to her brother and sister. But not her. Because to im, she is like furniture – part of the background, invisible. Then Anke makes the school volleyball team. – As Anke learns to call for the ball on the court, she finds a voice that she never knew she had. For the first time, Anke is making herself seen and heard, working toward the day that she will be able to speak up loud enough to rescue everyone at home – including herself. (from the back cover)


Review: Every family has its secrets, some are darker and more sinister than others. Anke’s family is living a nightmare dominated by the predator father who rules with an iron fist that sometimes leaves bruises. Anke is the youngest of three children and so far has escaped most of the madness because she is unnoticed, a piece of furniture…Anke goes against her father’s wishes and secretly makes the volleyball team at school. With the discipline of practice and being surrounded by teammates, and finally a friend who has an alcholic father, Anke learns to find her confidence, strength, and voice and finally has a plan to bring all the secrets to light.



The book is written in free verse (half way between prose and poetry). It is a fast read because there are few words to a page. It is a story that pulls you into the book while also making your skin crawl because of what this father is doing to his family. It is only when the father takes events outside of the house and family and attacks one of Anke’s school friends that she finds her voice and brings events out in the open.


The beginning of the book eludes to events of sexual abuse between the father and the oldest daughter and I’m not sure all readers will pick-up on what is going on – but near the end the word “rape” is actually used and brings all the darkness and evil rising to the surface. The story also has some strong language in places but it is not overused or overpowering of the story. I’m not sure the significance of the dream sequence on page 242-243. – Anke often takes “naps” with her neighbor Jed – not sure, but I think it is just kissing and hugging since it does mention that Jed has cancer and probably does sleep a lot – Anke is looking for love and attention and she gets a kind of love when napping/snuggling with Jed.


A sequel would be nice – because even though the father is gone from their life (hopefully forever) – they still have the emotional and physical scars to work through – breaking free is only the beginning to a journey of healing. How will the events of the past wil effect Anke’s future relationship with Kyler?


Dedication page – Only fiction and truth were used in the crafting of this book

(Page 3)

I am always there.

But they don’t care if I am
because I a furniture.

I don’t get hit

I don’t get fondled.

I don’t get love
because I am furniture.

Suits me fine.


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A dark and empowering book of prose that captures what it's like to live in an abusive household. Anke is the only one not receiving her father's "love" and she should be grateful. The love that he doles out on her brother, sister, and mother is horrifying. He's emotionally, physically, and sexually abusive to them all; Anke is unnoticed, always in the background. She knows she should be grateful or speak up, but she doesn't want to be the one to tear the family apart. Things start to change when she joins the volleyball team. She starts getting stronger, filling out, and finding her voice. Suddenly, what her father is doing to her family seems even worse. What would happened if she used her voice and confidence to help her family? Written in beautiful, lyrical poetry this young adult book about abuse will horrify readers and inspire them to speak out when they witness something. A definite conversation starter. ( )