I Am Not Esther

Rating:
Summary: growing up under the shadow of a fanatical cult
Review: Kirby's mother is a caring nurse and a humanitarian,but quite dysfunctional in her own personal life, particularly with regards to her relationship with her daughter Kirby. Kirby and her Mum love each other but Kirby's Mum won't discuss her past- being a teenage mother and having to be excommunicated from the cult. When Kirby is is sent to live with her uncle (in the cult) she is able to piece together the reasons behind her mother's problems. The techniques used within the cult are powerful and influential.Kirby even has her name changed to Esther Pilgrim.The influence of the cult is so powerful that Kirby questions her own identity. She has to discover who she is,what she wants,and decide her own path for the future. Kirby deals with issues of growing up,sexuality,relationships,authority,choices and awareness of her place in the world. I found the story about a single parent and her daughter tracing the roots of their problems and trying to deal with their dysfunction well done.Kirby doesn't understand why her mother has abandoned her or how she really feels about her relationship with her mother.She begins by looking inward and then looks outward to the bigger picture.Kirby rises above the mental abuse of her over bearing uncle and the cult and with the help of an understanding school counsellor tries to break away.

Rating:
Summary: Will keep readers guessing until the end
Review: One of the most moving, strikingly original teen novels to come our way in a long time is this candid story of a young girl's sudden introduction to a religious cult. When her flighty mother brings Kirby to live with her aunt and uncle, it's to a strict religious world where little is allowed and much regulated. Kirby's spunky spirit fights back at first; but she must learn to live within the family's rigid boundaries if she's to escape and find her mother. Eye-opening and vivid, this will keep readers guessing until the end, and provides a sharply poignant picture of brainwashing and cult control as experienced by a teen. Very highly recommended.