Told from the protagonist’s point of view and based on a true story, this coming-of-age tale is hard to read at times and hard to believe at others. It gives the reader a look at the life and exploitation of a young girl in another country.
At the age of 7, Virginia’s indigent Ecuadorian parents give her to a middle-class, or “mestizo,” family to be a servant in their home in a small town. Scared and alone, the child is forced to care for the couples’ children and endures humiliation and even beatings from the woman of the house.
As she grows older, the husband, who had in the early years tried to defend Virginia against his wife, turns on the girl and attempts to molest her.
This is not an easy nor recreational read, but the strength of the young woman—born into poverty, forced into virtual slavery, and overcoming the odds—will empower the reader.
“What Kids are Reading” is a regular feature in the Sun, highlighting children’s books available for young readers in Santa Maria. This week’s recommendation was made by Cathy Allee, youth services manager at the Santa Maria Public Library.
This article appears in Jan 5-12, 2012.