Book Review- Courage in Patience

Courage in Patience: A Story of Hope for Those Who Have Endured Abuse by Beth Fehlbaum

As the title implies, this book is about courage. The courage to be yourself, to love your self and others, to fight for what is right and the courage to survive.

Ashley Asher survives one of the most horrible things that could ever happen to a young girl, sexual abuse by her stepfather. When her mother chooses to believe him and stay with him, Ash goes to live with her father whom she has never met. She visits with a counselor and enrolls in her stepmother's summer school english class where she meets and makes friends with a great cast of characters (that reminded me a bit of Stand and Deliver). With the help of her new family and new friends she is able to find normalcy in her life again.

Most of the book focuses on Ash and sexual abuse, but once in Patience, TX other issues start being addressed, as well. Bigotry, teenage pregnancy, censorship. At first I was a little confused and felt this was an unneeded addition to the book, but in the end I understand their place in the story. Just as Ash was finding the courage to get past the horror she lived through, the people of Patience also had to find theirs.

4/5

YA Reading Challenge
A to Z Challenge