Title: The Chosen One Author: Carol Lynch Williams
Publish Date: May 2009
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 224pp
IBSN: 0312555113
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: 12 and up
Price: $16.95
Amazon: $11.53
Annotation: Thirteen-year old Kyra has just been chosen to marry her sixty-year-old uncle, who already has six other wives. Kyra must make a desperate choice to either face her fears or comply with rules and powers that be.
Summary: Kyra is thirteen-years-old. She lives in a polygamist community with her three mothers and LARGE list of siblings. She savors any time she gets alone, especially when she can spend that time reading the book she keeps hidden in a scrubby olive tree (secular books are forbidden on the compound). Kyra get’s put into The Chosen Ones, an isolated polygamist sect in the desert led by Prophet Childs. The Prophet decrees that Kyra must marry her sixty-year-old uncle, who already has six other wives. Wondering if this is her punishment for sneaking forbidden books and liking a boy her own age, Kyra must make a choice. She doesn’t see how she can go through with this marriage but if she doesn’t follow orders dangerous and violent consequences await.
Evaluation: This was a powerful and emotional read about a realistic subject that is not necessarily common (yet common enough). The frightening aspects of the story are the tight constraints in which Kyra must abide by in order to protect her family. Her frustration, anger, and guilt ridden emotions transcend off the pages. My heart literally broke for Kyra when she found out she had to marry her sixty-year-old uncle (can you imagine? Ugh), especially because she was so in love with Joshua (a boy her own age). The ending came as a bit of a surprise. I am still not sure how I feel about it, but I do have hope that Kyra will overcome her fears. One thing I just loved was how the mobile library on wheels was kind of this symbol for hope. As a soon-to-be librarian I will always have an affinity for libraries and the impacts they can and do have on young people, especially those in need.
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness:
- Living under a strict set of rules.
- Fear for your family.
- Being forced into something you are uncomfortable with.
- Having to care for you family and never getting to be a kid.
Reason this book was chosen: I am HUGE Big Love fan (I know, I know), so when I did some research on young adult books and polygamy I found The Chosen One. This story highlights several interesting issues such as: polygamy, underage marriage, incestuous marriage, faith, love, loyalty to family, and the fear of the outside world.
Similar Titles:
Author Website: Click HERE
Author Interview: Click HERE
Awards:
ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2010
Association for Mormons Letters Award (Young Adult), 2009
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2010
Awards:
ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2010
Association for Mormons Letters Award (Young Adult), 2009
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2010
Take a look at this book trailer. I feel it captures the overall tone of the story.
