Push, a novel by Sapphire

I have not yet seen the Oscar nominated, Golden Globe winning movie Precious. You know how I like to read books before seeing the movie. So, I waited quite awhile on the hold list for Push, by Sapphire -- which Precious is based on. Push is the story of Clareece 'Precious' Jones, an illiterate teen in New York City in the 1980's. Physically and sexually abused by her mother and birthing two children after being raped by her father, one at age 12, the other at 17, Precious finds herself kicked out of school because of her pregnancy. Her first child, born with Down's Syndrome, is taken away to be raised by her grandmother. By the time she's pregnant by her father again, Precious thinks there's likely no hope for her son and the rest of her life.

Eventually, she goes to an alternative school for illiterate teens where Miss Rain takes her under her wing and guides her through life. Precious works hard to learn how to read in a quest to better her life and be rid of her mother. Push is utterly heartbreaking. It's a depressing story but, well, I won't tell you about the ending. Can't wait to see the movie now!