THE KID

When we first meet 9-year-old Abdul at the funeral of his mother, Precious, he's dear and sweet. He doesn't believe she's dead of AIDS because he still talks to her in his head. Author Sapphire skillfully narrates this stream-of-consciousness story. In presenting Abdul, she excels at spotlighting the shocking contrast between his boyhood self and the young man he becomes. After he enters foster care, he loses his innocence, is abused, and becomes an abuser. Abdul's story is painful—almost unbearable—and mostly it’s an accurate portrait of those who slip through the cracks of an unforgiving system. This isn’t a male version of PRECIOUS because it’s without joy or even a ray of hope. The abrupt conclusion fits the storytelling style and suggests a sequel. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2011]