Push

`Push' by Sapphire is the story of Precious a young, black girl from Harlem encouraged by her teacher Miss Rain, to push herself to improve her education and become an independent young woman.Precious has never experienced love in her life only abuse, physical and sexual from her parents. As a young six year old she sits in class and doesn't communicate. She stops talking because other children make fun of her speech. At Each One/Teach One, Miss Rain picks up on the fact that she may have a hearing problem - `muvver' `insect/incest'. Precious at 16 years of age has never learned to read - all words look the same to her. But under the tutelage of Miss Rain, her new friends and her own inner desire to improve life for herself and her children, she gradually comes to realize that she can be a worthwhile member of society. She is a caring mother. She is determined that Abdul will learn to read and is determined to remove Mongo from the retard home where she is `left to lie on the floor in her own pee'. Precious proves to be a kind and decent girl. She is determined that Abdul will not become a crack addict and that he will have every advantage possible. He will be a well loved child.I blame Precious' mother for her hellish upbringing. She kept hold of Carl by allowing him to molest Precious from an early age and she herself sexually and physically, molested her daughter. The school Principal has to share in the blame. The class teacher reported her concerns regarding Precious but was told to `concentrate on those who can learn'.With the help of Miss Rain and her friends at Each One/Teach One, Precious begins to realize that there is a place for her in society. Each One/Teach One has been the saving grace for Precious due to the concern and help of an inspiring teacher, and friends with whom she can communicate and share her problems. Precious is half way to changing her life.Precious has the inner wish for a better life and strives for it. She is crushed by the thought that Abdul might have the Aids virus, but she is determined to push herself in every way to improve her situation in life for herself and for her children.I was moved and disturbed by this book. I worry that a quiet, troublesome, or unresponsive child in a reception class at school, may be from a troubled background, and if the class teacher does not pick up on this, or having reported her fears to the head teacher nothing is done to confirm or allay her fears, a child may grow up thinking that no one cares and will become a troublesome teenager hitting out at the world at large.After reading `Push', I am now more aware that disruptive youngsters may have something seriously wrong in their background , and that they are crying out for help in the only way they know how, by using abusive language and behaviour. I will no longer be quick to judge.Sapphire paints a picture of how a young person can win through against all the odds if given the right help. I give this book 10/10.Isobel Duffy Motherwell

Well I saw the movie and I thought it was horrific, but I wanted to get a little bit more from the story and I wanted to get to know the characters more intimately, and the book is just as dark, cold, stark, lonely, fear-inducing as the movie, but I mean those it all the kindest ways, because the characters in the book are so intriguing and so human that it's so worth the read. The follow up book "The Kid" is a must read too, its a lot longer and follows some of the same characters after the events of Push.

Every now and again a book comes along that really makes you think- 'Push' is one such bookI'm really glad that i read this book- yes its uncomfortable reading, but its also very uplifting. Yes, its at times harrowing, but its also at other times funny. Yes, it makes you feel angry that such things could ever happen, but it is an important and relevant story that needed to be told. The sad reality is that there are many more young people in the U.K. who have to go through this type of abuse every day, than any of us realise. Hopefully this book can create more knowledge, understanding and awareness of abuse, and will encourage more people to support organisations such as ChildLine.In the book, Precious describes how the 'Colour Purple' is one of her favourite books... well, in my opinion 'Push' is the modern day 'Colour Purple'- It is a difficult read, but my advice is to persist, its well worth it in the end.

Hits the spot re experiences of certain girls from a less privileged background. Tells it straight and hard to read at times. But truth can hurt. The teacher offers a ray of light to these abused/ unfortunate to say the least young girls.

I read this book with one eye closed - at some point I felt like I was in a horror movie. It is a horrible situation for a child to be in and everytime I read a chapter tears were down my cheek. I think the word I kept reaching for was DISAPPOINTMENT. I was so disappointed in her Mother (and Father of course), at no point did she look at her daughter (especially in the eye) and apologise. I loved this book as it brings so many issues to the forefront. Well done Sapphire. Thank you Amazon for recommending this read and please continue to do so.

I saw the film and wanted to read the book. I will say the book is just a good as the film and very well written. A detailed account of shocking abuse.

This is an amazing book - really good. Funny, sad, emotional- everything.

The book arrived promptly and in excellent condition. It's a really good true ( if gritty) story and I am enjoying reading it having previously watched the film.

I had seen the movie several years ago but decided to read the book. It was eye opening. Hard to believe there are many who have lives like this. Definitely recommend reading but be prepared with some tissues. The writing style is different because it’s written from the point of view of an illiterate teenager and I really enjoyed that method of storytelling. Very interesting!

Item was as described, very pleased!

Broke my heart.Just the thought that there are people out there who experience things like these or sth similar....Broke my literature heart. Period.

Vi la película Precios y supe que este libro tenía que ser mío. El libro está en Inglés, pero cualquiera con el B1 se apañará para entenderlo. La historia es genial, lo recomiendo mucho.

Claireece P. Jones, appelée "Precious" par les gens de son entourage et une jeune fille afro-américaine en surpoids. A seize ans, ayant déjà des difficultés à l'école, elle se retrouve mise à la porte de son établissement à cause de sa grossesse. En effet, Precious est enceinte de son deuxième enfant ... Le deuxième enfant "donné" par son père. Voilà alors qu'elle s'enrôle dans une classe alternative à Harlem, le "each one teach one" .L'écriture du livre est assez complexe, Sapphire mimant la jeune Precious en difficultés scolaires majeures nous entraîne dans un roman bourré de fautes d'orthographes, souvent écrit phonétiquement, mais la barrière s'efface en quelques pages et on se prend vite au jeu. Aussi, les nombreux déboires de Precious font de sa vie un véritable combat, on apprend au fur et à mesure les problèmes auxquels elle doit faire face et auxquels elle aura à faire face. On se prend très vite de compassion, et personnellement j'aimerais apporter mon aide à la jeune Precious !Un excellent roman, une histoire poignante. Ce livre n'est pas fait pour les âmes trop sensibles, et un assez bon niveau d'anglais est requis... J'ai adoré !