From Slave to Citizen

by Shyima Hall, Lisa Wysocky

A depiction of modern human trafficking in America; when the author was 8, her poverty-stricken Egyptian parents sold her into slavery for thirty dollars a month; the wealthy Cairo couple who bought her moved to California, taking the girl with them; she describes her grueling hours of daily labor under destitute conditions, denied education, health care and even simple amenities inside the family’s home; rescued at 13 by welfare authorities, she stayed in the US and now works as an advocate and public speaker in hopes of combating human trafficking

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Biography Memoir, Teen, Audiobook, Social Justice

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Kyoko SWords · Rating 4 out of 5]

Todavía estoy pensando si darle un 3,5 o un 4. Pero que mi calificación no los engañe, el libro me mantuvo enganchada absolutamente todo el tiempo.
No voy a decir que disfruté la lectura porque por el contrario, la sufrí bastante. Es que su temática no da para sentir otra cosa: la esclavitud de una pequeña y su lucha por salir adelante de ese trauma.
OJO, es una historia real.
No me oirán hablar sobre la trama del libro porque quién me creo yo para juzgar semejante historia de vida. Pero sí quiero comentarles que aunque el libro es bastante ilustrativo, sí sentí que a veces se iba por las ramas. ¿Lo mejor? su mensaje de lucha. A veces la vida es injusta, pero ella misma te da oportunidades de erradicar dicha injusticia, es tu trabajo decidir aprovechar esos chances o quedarte lamiendo tus heridas.
¿Saben qué? ya me decidí. Le doy el 4 porque una historia de vida así de dura merece ser leída por todos. Sin importar cuan bien o mal escrita este...

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best non fic I've read in years, teen or adult.

For real.

This is an emotionally gripping true-story that shocked me in a way I haven't been, possibly ever. That it also enlightened me is a credit to the writing. I learned something from this book, and I'm a 28-year old man. I will never forget Shyima's story, and the deft prose, short sentences, and blunt way her life story is drawn out was masterful. Whoever helped her write this, that co-author did excellent work. The voice feels true, the horrible parts crashing into you, and the happiness and hope she eventually discovers lifts your heart.

Yes, this is just an ARC copy with less than 10 reviews right now, but I cannot believe I'm the only 5 STAR (as of 11.23.13). This will be a contender for best of 2014 NON-FICTION if people know it exists and a buzz is made. I hope the publishers and ad campaign is strong. This belongs in highlighted areas of classrooms and libraries and bookstores.

Every chapter added to the narrative and the pacing was spot on. I can't recommend it more to every age, but specifically, teens girls 11-16. This can change a life. I have said that about VERY, VERY few books in my life, because to say a book can be life changing is a sappy and often debatable sentiment; but it's true for me, and I suspect it will be for most who read this and have a soul.

"Hidden Girl" is the only book that is as crazy as Jeanette Walls's "The Glass Castle." What makes this book better is that you don't have to dig into subtle, literary exposition to find life's truths. Shyima Hall gives it to us straight, and we see what she has learned, plus, she gives us direct advice in the epilogue about how we can help other child slaves like her, what to look for, and how we should be careful with our lives in general. AND THANKFUL.

End child slavery and all bondage.

Love you, Shyima.

MH

5/5

[Isa Cantos (Crónicas de una Merodeadora) · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW... cuando empecé a leer el libro no me esperaba 1) que fuera una historia TAN real, 2) que estuviera situada entre finales del siglo XX y comienzos del XXI y 3) que la protagonista fuera la misma escritora. El que ella haya vivido todo lo que escribió me pareció muy fuerte e impresionante. Tras haber leído la historia de Shyima, no me queda otra cosa más que decir que admiro enormemente a esta mujer por haber sobrevivido a un tipo de esclavitud (de la que no estamos acostumbrados a escuchar) durante tanto tiempo y siendo tan pequeña.

Básicamente este libro cuenta la historia de cómo Shyima fue vendida por su familia en Egipto para ser esclava de otra familia muchísimo más rica cuando apenas tenía 8 años. Yo Fui Esclava nos deja ver desde la perspectiva de esta mujer que fue esclava desde los 8 hasta los 12 años, más o menos, cómo es trabajar 18 o 20 horas al día, comiendo poquísimo, siendo maltratada tanto física como verbalmente y recordando en cada momento del día que tu familia te vendió como si fueras un mueble más.

Me pareció genial que el libro no estuviera escrito para que le tuviéramos lástima a Shyima, sino para que la viéramos como un ejemplo de fortaleza, de superación y de esperanza para todas las otras víctimas de la esclavitud que sufren en pleno siglo XXI.

De verdad recomiendo muchísimo este libro porque creo que nos abre los ojos hacia una perspectiva de la esclavitud que poca gente se imagina y dimensiona. Es decir, a mi me dicen la palabra "esclavitud" y yo pienso en los africanos que hacían trabajos forzados hace cientos y cientos de años, no en algo que pase hoy en día... por eso creo que es importante conocer que la esclavitud no es un problema que se haya acabado con las supuestas aboliciones, sino que es algo que, si bien no es común, sí es actual.

[Johara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this as part of a bookclub selection... I usually don't do non-fiction, but hey, what can go wrong with a "True Story of a Modern-Day Child Slave"?

Actually... a lot of things.

I wholeheartedly sympathize with Shyima... I know what she's gone through is unbearable, but I just couldn't, for the love of God, connect with her story. It dragged on and on and on... I just wanted it to be over.

I wish I could give this book more stars, but the fact that I felt nothing at the end, I am just giving it a star purely for the effort.

[مي مجدي · Rating 3 out of 5]

وُلدت لأسرة مصرية فقيرة، ترتيبها السابعة ضمن 11 أخ وأخت، كانت لها أخت تعمل خادمة في بيت أحد الأثرياء، ثم سرقت منهم مبلغ من المال، وبسبب هذه السرقة، بِيعت شيماء لهذه الأسرة لتخدمهم بدلا عن أختها، وذلك كنوع من الترضية لأصحاب المال، ومنعًا لحبس أحد والديها، بدأت الخدمة عندهم منذ سن الثامنة، وظلت تعمل عندهم خادمة لدة تزيد عن 4 سنوات، أخذوها معهم إلي إلي أمريكا أثناء هروب الأسرة إلي هناك، بسبب ارتكاب الأب لجريمة توجب القبض عليه،
هذه قصة تبدو عادية ولكن تفاصيلها غير عادية، هذه قصة تحكي عن الأسر االمعدومة في مصر، كيف تعيش هذه الأسر، تفاصيل حياتهم اليومية، التي هي عبارة عن شلالات من المعاناة، ثم تفاصيل يومية لفتاة صغيرة استعبدتها أسرة مستبدة وظالمة، ليتجردوا من كل الإنسانية، ويتعاني معهم ويلات الظلم، القهر، وقتل لإنسانيتها وطفولتها.. والمأساة ليست في قصة شيماء، بل إن شيماء تعد محظوظة لأنها وجدت من أنقذها لتعيش حياة أفضل وتتغير حياتها بالكامل..
بل المأساءة الحقيقة في مئات الأطفال الذين يتعرضون لنفس حياة الذل والقهر، التي عاشتها شيماء ولا يعرف أحد عنهم شيئاً.

براعة هذا العمل في عرض مثل هذه القضية من خلال قصة شيماء، لم يعجبني أننا شعرت أن هذا الكتاب مترجم عن الإنجليزية، بعض الجمل نقلت عن الإنجليزية حرفا مما أفقدها قيمتها، كنت أود لو عبر عنها المترجم عن طريق اللغة العربية مباشرة، كما أننا شعرت أن هذه الفتاة أمريكية 100 %، لا أعلم السبب هل لأنها تعلمت الإنجليزية قبل العربية، أم لأن الكاتبة التي كانت ساعدتها في إخراج هذا العمل أملت عليها نوعا معينا من الكتابة، مثل طريقة التفكير الأمريكية، أم أنها فعلا تأثرت بهذه المجتمع وأفكاره حتي أصبحت جزءًا منه.

تحذير: القصة مليئة بالكثير من الأشياء المؤذية نفسيًا لذا وجب التنوية

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Won as part of Goodreads' First Reads program. Full review to come when it arrives!

Update: The three stars should be interpreted cautiously, because this book definitely tells a really great story. It is slightly different from a lot of the other books on human trafficking that have a similar premise to this one, such as "Slave", in that while "Slave" discussed her time as a slave in great detail for much of the book, more than half of "Hidden Girl" is devoted to her life after she was rescued. I'm not saying this is better or worse, I was just sort of pleased to find that it was a unique approach to take. Also, it's nice to see where Shyima has arrived in her life and what amazing strides she made in adapting to her life once she was free. A very inspiring story.

That being said, the reason I gave it three stars is that I really didn't care for the style. It's very colloquial. I hadn't expected to see that on the back it says this is for young readers, but now that I know that is the intended audience, I guess it makes sense. But the very informal style it's written in just didn't do it for me, and sort of detracted from my enjoyment of the book. Anyway, a good story, but definitely for a slightly younger audience.

[Bobbie Greene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrative of Hidden Girl is interesting enough to make you want to read to the end. You'll root for Shyima to overcome the obstacles that occur because of others' choices about her life, and the story is fulfilling enough in the scope of her experiences that I'd recommend it to others who are interested in the topic of human trafficking and helping those who may be victims. It's an especially good book to help open young adult eyes to a horrible practice that is probably going on in their own cities.

I found that the telling of Shyima's experiences were somewhat lacking in detail, though. At times, I found myself skimming passages because her sentiments were often conveyed in a repetitive and superficial way. Rather than using more descriptions, her tone is very matter-of-fact. This may be true of her personality, but it doesn't help the reader to connect to her character, and thus may not evoke as much emotion about her story and situation.

[[Name Redacted] · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are various GoodReads reviewers who libel Shyima Hall as an "Islamophobe" -- and when called out on it, at least one of them deleted all the comments on their review which listed the facts about both Shyima & Islamic attitudes towards slavery, yet retained the libelous accusation of "Islamophobia." I understand that facts are inconvenient -- that they can challenge the romantic fantasies which we, in our willful ignorance, cultivate -- but they are important. And so i feel that it's incumbent upon me to point out that Shyima Hall was a Muslim child from a Muslim nation who was sold as a slave by Muslims to Muslims and repeatedly abused by Muslim men AND women. And that is what this book is about -- her life as a child-slave and her eventual rescue from that life.

Slavery & child-abuse are not only legal under Islam, but encouraged -- the only exception being the enslavement of free-born Muslim men which is OFTEN (but not universally) condemned. The people who enslaved her, as well as her later abusers, engaged in the Islamic categories of "holy deception" known as taqiyya, tawriya, kitman & muruna (as permitted by their religion and culture) to allow them to continue enslaving and abusing Ms. Hall. Even so, Shyima STILL desperately apologizes for Islam at every opportunity, to the point that it sometimes feels like she should just end every chapter with "Oh, and #notallmuslims!" To claim that this book is Islamophobic, that the author is Islamophobic, simply because it contains accurate depictions of actual Muslims by Shyima...this is the height of deluded ethnocentrism. Especially considering the fact that Shyima would be killed for the crime of Riddah ("Apostasy" or "leaving Islam") in most Islamic nations...and even in many non-Islamic nations...

But I don't suppose any of this should surprise any of us, as we live in a world in which the U.S.A.'s Southern Poverty Law Center openly claimed that devout Muslim activist (and ex-terrorist) Maajid Nawaz was an "Anti-Muslim Extremist" simply because he opposes Islamic extremism. Thankfully Nawaz took them to court and won. Ms. Hall should, frankly, do likewise.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are certain paragraphs and phrases that repeat in this writing. Over-whelming is one of those words that echo, as well. And in her word patterns alone you can connote that Shyima Hall's second language is English. So why the 4 star?

The 4 star is not for the skill of the words themselves, but what they say. Shyima totally transmits her brand of shuttering, closed-in, downward eye looking, insular and so justified anger. Within this book, you also see her soul's identity blossom.

This book documents the journey for her particular life's path. She details and details. It is not only remembered criteria but criteria of witnesses. Starting with earliest childhood days and until she was 7 to 8 years old, her life in Egypt is described. The connection of her truth becomes immediate. She does not "fill in the gaps". Naming only those which she can have a name/label put upon their "then" face. It just grips you- the manner in which she is grasping to remember her biological nest.

But the intricate detailing of her transfer, her plane trip, her life in California. All of those, she does with a thoroughness for the options and skills that had been given her then and which she HAS now? It is no less than miraculous. Shyima, she lives up to her name's definition as she explains it near the ending of this book.

The police, governmental agencies that prosecuted her slavers was another tale that was conscribed most excellently in her "eyes". And I do not doubt that there are 43,000 more household slaves just like her in the USA. And on other continents it is in tens of millions.

Phoning your own version of Children and Family Services is not easy when you have little proof. I know, I have had to do that 3 times for this type of issue and also for other reasons. But please, read her last chapters without the current trend of blind and naïve eyes. Note all the patterns that she describes so intricately to minutia. Especially note, the hanging clothes that are not the right lengths for the child or teen. And bruising. Or the "quiet".

This reminds me that our world's continued acceptance of "humanist relativism" as a kind of blueprint for conduct! It's false. There ARE some cultures and mindsets in which this scenario is absolutely normal. It is NOT normal and there is no relative acceptance of this condition in my sight or within my understanding of human laws.

This is not a sleazy, violent, foul telling. Instead you can HEAR the internal blooming and aspiration. This is real. This is a must read. Human trafficking is increasing and ever increasing RIGHT NOW.

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

قرأته بالعربية بطبعة دار الياسمين وترجمة ميسرة صلاح الدين..
لا أستطيع التعبير عن كم الصدمة والحزن الذي شعرت به وأنا أقرأ هذا، ولا أظن أنني سأنسى ما حييت هذا الإسم "شيماء السيد حسن" التي خطت كلمات هذا الكتاب بحياتها.
من أول فصل رأيت البؤس والحزن وتجرعتهما مكثفين وليس ذلك تكلفا أو مبالغة، إذ إن فتاة تحرش بها أحد أخواتها يضربها أبوها وتعيش عائلتها في فقر مدقع ثم تباع لعائلة فاحشة الغنى بذنب لم تقترفه في سن صغير، كل ذلك يدعو للحزن على ما يحتويه هذا العالم الذي نعيش في؛ فأنا بكل صدق لم أكن أتوقع أن يكون هناك أمرا مماثلا في مصر، نعم هناك عمالة أطفال وفقر و و، ولكن العبودية هذا ما لم أسمع به من قبل الحقيقة، كيف أن حرية تباع مقابل مبلغ ضئيل لا تُسترد إلى بثمن أضعاف أضعاف الأول.
من خلال تلك البيعة تحولت حياة شيماء من نعيم صغير "على قده" إلى جحيم رهيب، وتحكي شيماء ما تعرضت له من ضرب وإهانة من زوج وزوجة سرقت منهما أختها الأكبر مالا، وبناءا على ذلك تقرر أن تعمل شيماء بدلا منها حتى تسدد المال المسروق، إلا أن اليوم يمر ويأتي الذي بعده والدين لا يُسدد.
وفي يوم تجد تلك الطفلة التي انقطعت عن رؤية والداها أبويها أمامها وأم تحتضنها ثم تجد ذاتها في بلد غريب، ومن ثم تنطلق مع شيماء من أكثر المناطق ظلاما في حياتها حتى استردادها لحريتها وكونها مواطنة أمريكية تعيش الآن وترزق.
الكتاب مكتوب بلغة سلسة وسهلة جدا والترجمة ساعدت بقدر كبير على إيصال المشاعر لي، كأن شيماء هال تتحدث ولا تكتب أو تنمق حديثها، بل تنطق بكلمات تملؤها الحيوية والحياة.
أهم ما في الكتاب هو الأسئلة التي جعلني أطرحها ، إذ كيف يمكن للمادة أن تجعل الأب يبيع لحمه؟ وكيف يمكن للمادة أن تعمي رجلا عن إيذاءه للآخر بالرغم من معرفته لذلك؟ من أعطى الحق للإنسان أن يسخر أخيه الإنسان لخدمته عنوة؟ ولكن الرسالة التي أراني إياها الكتاب بنجاح هي أن الذي يزرع ثمرة في النهاية سيذوقها مهما "لف ودار".
قصة شيماء هال، شيماء السيد حسن يجب أن يقرأها الجميع، ليس لأن الكتاب جيد، ولكن لأن هناك تغير يجب أن يحدث، والمرء لا يعرف مدى أهمية التغيير ما لم يعرف قيمته ومعناه، وهذا واضح في حياة شيماء إذ إنها حينما فهمت العبودية ومعناها وقسوتها، أرادت أن تدفع ذلك الأذى بعيدا عمن تستطيع.
"أعلم أن هناك سببا ما أو هدفا ما وراء كل شيء يحدث في الحياة. وأعلم أن هدفي هو المساعدة في وضع حد لتلك الجريمة المروعة ."
-شيماء السيد حسن.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars because Shyima's story is interesting and pretty harrowing. It takes bravery to share this kind of experience with the world. Only 2 stars because the writing was fairly atrocious. The narrative was disjointed, lacked depth, fluency and at times was painfully repetitive.

[Meli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Qué fuerza, qué voluntad y qué ovarios los de esta chica.

[Carla Dente · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh por Dios... estoy sin palabras! pronto la reseña en el blog.
(sería más un 4,5. Pero por razones que exceden a la historia en sí)

[Juli · Rating 5 out of 5]

ESTE LIBRO ES INCREIBLE! Sin lugar a dudas una historia de vida impactante que todo el mundo deberia leer!

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hall's memoir is engaging, but while it is clearly aimed at a fairly-young audience, I worry that it unintentionally promotes American exceptionalism and anti-Islam sentiments. While I believe her story is well worth sharing and brings a much-needed spotlight to the topics of human trafficking and modern slavery, I think the targeted audience may be too young to recognize the book's subtle biases.

It is unfortunate that the Muslim men in Hall's life each embodied a problematic stereotype, and I do not believe that her intent was to paint the religion with a broad brush. Unfortunately, when consumed by a young audience currently exposed to widespread Islamophobia, this has the potential for confirmation bias.

Similarly, when describing differences between her life and opportunities in the US compared to in Egypt, there is a repeated emphasis on the experience "in America." In most cases, these are common characteristics across most western countries, not just the US. This simultaneously limits the potential audience of the book and reinforces the problematic ideas of American uniqueness and/or superiority.

With a few revisions and a some additional oversight on the neutrality of the book's larger generalizations, this could be a very valuable narrative for younger readers.

[Rhonda Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was published for "young readers". It's about a very young Egyptian girl sold into slavery by her parents. Luckily for her, her captors moved to California, where someone noticed something unusual and reported her to the authorities. The girl was rescued before she turned 13, after years of drudgery, abuse, and starvation. As an adult, she wants to work for ICE or the police, to help others. At the end of the book, she lists what to look for in your neighborhood to identify possible cases of slavery, which is more widespread than you might think.

Considering this form of slavery; the perhaps more common sex slavery; and the recent case of Hirsi Ali, who escaped from forced marriage and genital mutilation, and whose invitation to accept an honorary degree from Brandeis was rescinded; where is the National Organization for Women and other so-called feminist groups on these issues? They are keeping their mouths shut like good obedient females.

[Rainy Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

The true story of an Egyptian girl, Shyima, being sold into slavery by her own family. Shyima ended up in United States after her captors fled Egypt into the US and bringing Shyima together with them. The story of Shyima opened my eyes that modern day slavery still exist and there are more people like her out there that are being held captive. I like this book enough. However, I found that some of the chapters tell repetitive stories like how Shyima being treated while in captivity and what she felt most of the time during her captivity and after she was rescued. The book kept repeating the same thing again and again in my opinion. I feel grateful that Shyima finally get the justice she deserved in the end and I hope more people like her are being rescued and pull out from the life of slavery.

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel bad giving this book 2 stars because I really do think that she is amazing for all that she has conquered in her life. My reason for the low rating is because I feel that it could have been written in 100 pages rather than 230. It was really repetitive and not many stories were told within the book. I did like that at the end of the book, she listed various ways that you can spot someone who is being held against their will, as she said here are 17,000 new people being trafficked into America each year.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a true story, and an important story, and I'm glad to have read it. However, the writing is rather simple and dry--it is mostly a stream-of-consciousness account of a girl sold into slave labor. I don't know that the style of writing will keep my students engaged, but I appreciate Shyima's story and her willingness to share it in order to help others.

[Nahla Khaled · Rating 4 out of 5]

القراءة عن معاناة الآخرين يصفعنى، يفيقينى، يشعرنى بالعجز و يجعلنى أرتعب من نفسى و من نفوس البشر، هل نحن قادرون أن نكون بهذه القسوة، بهذا الإجرام.
الشئ الذى لا أستوعبه كيف البشر قادرين على التعامل مع بشر مثلهم بكل الحب و الاحترام لأنهم فى اعتقادهم أنهم مثلهم، أغنياء، متعلمين، ذوو سلطة بما معناه فى طبقتهم الإجتماعية و فى نفس ذات الوقت محو إنسانية إنسان كامل بممحاة لأنهم لديهم القدرة على ذلك.
التعاطف، لا أحتمل إنسان لا يضع نفسه مكان الآخر، أظن هنا معقل كل المشكلات، الرجل الأبيض فى اعتقاده أنه فى الأساس لا يرتقى و لو افتراضيا أن يضع نفسه محل الرجل الأسود الذى عاش قرون فى ذل العبودية. الرجل الذكورى لا يرى المرأة إنسانا مثله له كامل الحقوق بل يراها إنسان درجة ثانية، تابع، خاضع ليس له أحقية مادام لم يعطها هو إياها. الغنى و ذو السلطة لا يرى الفقير إنسانا، هو حرفيا و ليس مجازا لا يراه، لا يفهم مايشعر به.
الاتجا�� بالبشر و العبودية نعتقد أنها جرائم انتهت من قرون مضت و لكنها تحدث أمام أعيننا كل يوم، ماعذبنى و أنا أقرأ قصة شيماء أنى لم أندهش من أى مما عانته و هو ماقتلنى لأنه للأسف طبيعى و عادى جدا أن تحدث هذه الجرائم فى مصر فى مجتمعنا العربى المسلم و يا لها من مأساة، أن نعتاد الظلم أن نعتاد الجرم و نراه عاديا و حيوات أخواتنا مشاعة هكذا.
شكرا شيماء لمشاركتك قصتك التى آلمتنى و أشعرتنى بالعجز و لعلى أرثى نفسى أنى خرجت منها ببعض الوعى تجاه القضية.

[Mariam Gawwad · Rating 3 out of 5]

شيماء السيد حسن بنت من مكان جنب الإسكندرية بتتولد لأب عصبي أم مريضة ليها من الأخوات ١٠ أختها بتشتغل عند عائلة ثرية وبتسرقهم في الأهل بيقررو أنها تبقا بديل أختها ك تعويض ليهم عن سرقة أختها ...
بتسافر القاهرة وبتشتغل ٢٠ ساعة و الأب ليواجه مشاكل مع الشرطة في مصر بيقرر يهاجر أمريكا و بيخلي واحد صاحبه يتبناه و يقول أنها مسافرة معاه سياحة شهر وهناك بتعيش ٣ سنين في عبودية تامة ٢٠ ساعة عمل مع ضرب و إهانة لحد ما حد بيشوفها أنها مش بتروح المدرسة و بتسهر بليل تغسل المواعين وبيكلم الشرطة الأب بينكر وجودها في البيت لحد ما يلاقو جواز السفر ..
طفلة ١٣ سنة في بلد متعرفش لغته بتتنقل بين عائلات مسلمة ميعرفوش حاجة عن الأسلام زي العائلة اللي هربتها لحد ما بتعيش مع عائلة مسيحية و تروح الكنيسة ..
هل القصة دي بعيدة زمنيا و العبودية انتهت ؟؟ لا دي سنة ٢٠٠٠ عادي ...
محبتش أسلوب الكتابة حسيت أن ممكن تكتب أفضل م كده لكن قلبي كان بينبض في أجزاء معينة من القصة ...

[A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

don’t know where I should start. This story gives you the reader. so many emotions. At first I could feel the love she had for her siblings. And for her parents. The love she had for her was not always reciprocated, her father was verbally abusive. (Spoiler) Her older brothers molested, when she very young. And her family was poor, but she still loved and cared for them. Through out the book she mentions that she no longer remembers any of her siblings from being apart from them.

Because her family was poor, her older siblings had to work along with her parents. One of her sisters, the one she describes as the wild child work for the family that she would soon know as The Dad and The Mom, her captures. This sister was accused of stealing from this family. And when Shyima and her mother go to discus, her sister action. From the moment she stepped in to that house The Mom had no thoughts of forgiving the debt and letting it pass.

When it came down to it The Mom and her mother quickly agreed on Shyima staying and working for the family. This is where I couldn’t help but ask how could a mother without a second thought give up her daughter, without any thought of what might happen to her. I hated her parents for just leaving her, but I hated her captures more. The where down right mean to her. She was just a child herself and not only had to clean, but also had to take care of their twins.

Before the family moved to the states, she was one servant among many. So she was just added help. The family had this feeling of entitlement about them, that they felt that Shyima and her family was below them. They never once addressed her by name always by “stupid girl”. Talk about a blow to ones self esteem.

The move from Egypt to the States happened quickly. The family began to let servants go and return to their families. This began to give Shyima hope that she can finally return home to her parents. That hope was soon diminished when The Mom informed her and her parents that she would too be joining them in the states, because her families debt was yet to be paid in full. By this time it had been a few years that she has been their. And we would figure all should be forgiven. But no. Her parents where accepting payments for her work.

Once in the states her work increased ten fold. She was expected to not only clean and care for The Mom and The Dad’s home but also The Mom sisters home. She continued to do as she was told holding on to hope she would be able to go home. She continued to be abused and neglected.

What bugged me the most about when she came to the sates before she was rescued, was why did so many people just write her off. Like the mom in the park that took notice, or the staff at the the theme parks. Wouldn’t you thing that the signs of abuses or someone being held against their will would be something they where trained to look out for. But then again it wouldn’t.

The moment she was rescued, you wanted to feel some relief for her and for her to feel the same way. But that feeling of true happiness would come much later.

She was placed in a group home that specialized in working with children who where taking from their homes for a rarity of reasons. Being there she learned how to care for herself, she started to learn how to read and write, at the age of thirteen. This made me happy for her that she finally able to learn something she wanted to do from before this ordeal began.

She was placed in several foster homes. The first where not perfect fits for her, she had come from homes where the men where abusive physically and verbally. And din’t want to go back to that. The finally family though not perfect by any means was just right for what she needed to get through the trail of her captures and to complete her education. And even though you get a feeling of her adoptive mom, at lest you know deep down she cares for her. As well as her adoptive father.

She was given small victories before her life began to final stay righted. One of which was standing up in front of the court and finally standing up to her, abusers. And then being able to see them cuffed by Federal agents. The second being able to graduate high school.

Shyima, became a learning to tool for federal agents telling them how to interact with the victims so they are not future traumatized. She was able to began to trust, though she watched and learned before awarding this trust to anyone. Which in the end was something I was glade she was able to do.

[Natasha Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reseñado en mi blog Nanny Books

Antes de empezar la reseña, quiero aclarar, que en ningún momento voy a juzgar la historia de este libro, simplemente, porque es una autobiografía y como tal, recorta notablemente toda valoración que se pueda hacer.

Esta es la historia de una niña que fue vendida como esclava por sus propios padres. Esta es la historia de una niña que sufrió maltratos de diversa índole. Una niña que dejó de ser niña, que perdió su libertad, su identidad. Esta es la historia de un rescate, de una joven estadounidense que conmemora sus desdichas de cuando no le importaba a nadie.

Es difícil entrar en el mundo que plantea los primeros capítulos de esta novela autobiográfica. El choque cultural es fuerte. Una vez superado ese punto, comenzamos a olvidar que en la actualidad Shyima es libre. Porque es tan angustiosa la vida que relata, que nos olvidamos de la fina linea entre ficción y realidad, nos conmovemos.

Narrada desde la primera persona, con un estilo sencillo y fluido, con algunos pozos neblinosos, propios de la carga psicológica pesada de la protagonista en esa época, pero que resulta cautivante e intensa.

Pero no todo el libro será sobre su esclavitud, también descubriremos como es, en Estados Unidos, el sistema de adopción, las burocracias de los juicios, la ayuda que recibió y fue fundamental para que Shyima lograra superar todos sus miedos.

Y a pesar de que la historia de esclavitud pueda parecer lejana... ¿Quién no ha escuchado en nuestro país de cierta gente que tiene "empleados" sin documentación, viviendo en las partes abandonadas de una gran quinta, sintiéndose agradecidos porque les dan "techo y comida"? ¿Nos olvidamos de los talleres clandestinos, donde hacen "trabajar" a niños en ambientes insalubres? ¿Donde se esconden a personas en carros y pasan la frontera ilegalmente para nunca volver y desaparecer, dejando a familias sin paz detrás? No, no es una historia que debiera parecernos lejana ni irreal.

Yo fui esclava es una lectura que causará impacto, que es una catarata de emociones constantes, que traspasa las páginas y que nos hace ver el cambio de niña indefensa a mujer valiente que es hoy Shyima.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

My low rating does not reflect any belittling of the author's horrific story. It's just a really bad book. I didn't know it was a intended for a high school audience until I opened it (I knew of it only from a positive rating by a friend). I don't like the young adult genre of books so maybe I just shouldn't have read it. I'm appalled that a book written for a high school audience is written at a 4th grade reading level. Certainly we should expect better reading skills from high school kids. It is too obvious that her co-author or editor stepped in with slightly more complex vocabulary when the subject turned into a teachable moment. For example, the subject of stereotyping Muslim men and the faith as well as of denouncing prescribed psychotropic meds was broached by the author and the following two sentences fleshed out the topic in a teaching voice. I'm really sorry this happened to this girl but everything doesn't deserve to be published.

[Magda Jiménez · Rating 3 out of 5]

No es como si me hubiera llamado la atención al instante, pero no lo juzgaría hasta no leerlo. Yo fui esclava relata la historia de Shyima una niña que vivió en una región cerca de Alejandria, Egipto, pero que a su edad de ocho fue vendida a una familia mucho más rica que la de ella en El Cairo, siendo forzada a trabajar durante todo el día, recibiendo golpes y ofensivas palabras provenientes de déspotas personas, sus captores. Aún ahora, Shyima conserva esa duda y remordimiento de porque su familia, sus padres, la vendieron como a un mueble más, con personas sin piedad, que la llevaron de Egipto a Estados Unidos. Sin duda, una historia dura y realista. (La misma autora es la "protagonista") Este libro hace ver lo que es el trafico de personas de otra manera, como en realidad es; te deja pensando en todas esas personas que quizá ahora estén en cautiverio, porque si bien el libro lo dice, el esclavismo no es algo pasado, es algo que se sigue practicando actualmente, ilegalmente.

[Andrés Becerra Opazo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm como podría empezar hablando de este libro.
Es una historia fuerte, sí. Con partes tristes y desgarradoras, que te harán ponerte en el lugar de nuestra protagonista que es Shyima.
De un principio la historia comienza con un buen ritmo, de hecho, me estaba encantando, pero despues de la mitad, el modo de narrar de la autora me aburría, porque repetía y repetía hechos que ya habian sucedido, más adelante los seguía recordando y eso se volvio un poquitín molesto, y me hizo bajarle 2 estrellas.
La historia es hermosa y cruda, y me encantó el final.
Es un libro que recomendaría de todos modos, porque puede que a otras personas les encante más que a mí.
En fín, es un buen libro, 3/5 estrellitas para él.

Gracias a mí pololo hermoso por regalarmelo.

[Karla Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impresionante, no es secreto para nadie el tema de la trata de personas, pero leerlo directamente de alguien que lo vivió, y redactado de la forma en la que lo redactó, es aún más shockeante, además se lee muy rápido y el hecho de ser en 1ra persona ayuda mucho a que sea fácil de entender y rápido de leer. Lo recomiendo totalmente

[Augusto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sin duda un libro que te atrapa desde la primera página... El, como vivió una persona en cautiverio y las consecuencias que deja, me quitó mi bloqueo lector gracias, y sin duda alguna un libro de mucha superación.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shyima was eight years old when her life changed forever. She was born into a large Egyptian family. They lived in poverty and her parents sold her into slavery. Shyima referred to her captors as The Mom and the Dad, a very wealthy family, who treated her poorly. Eventually they moved to the United States and illegally brought their slave with them. Shyima was forced to work extremely long hours, was abused emotionally, verbally, and physically. She was also denied medical help when she became sick.

One day, due to an anonymous tip, the authorities caught wind of Shyima's captivity and came to rescue her. It was a huge adjustment for Shyima to adjust to freedom. First she was placed in a Child Rescue Center and then into a couple of foster homes. It was a difficult road for Shyima since she basically knew no English. Since she had been denied an education in earlier years, Shyima was behind socially and academically. She understandably also had anger and trust issues that she needed to work through.

Shyima has now become a strong woman and is an advocate against trafficking and slavery and has fulfilled her dream of becoming an American citizen. She plans to become a police officer and a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent so she can do all she can in the fight against modern day slavery.

[Nicole ✨Reading Engineer✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since this book was released I have always eyed it and wondered if it was any good. So when I saw it at my local library I knew I had to get it.

My thoughts on this novel are not meant to be malicious at all. Though it has a great message and helped me to further understand modern day slavery, I did not like this books at all.

The story read more like an essay, and while that is not a problem for most people, I prefer books to be told in a story-narration tone. Does that make sense? And at some parts the author sounded like she was lecturing the readers. I also think that she sounded very stuck up. Look. I get that she has trust issues, but she just seemed to just focus on everyone's faults.

Another big issue I had with this book is how blatantly islamaphobic the author is. I understand that the author was mistreated by Muslim men in her childhood, but most Muslim men are not controlling and abusive.

Besides those issues, my understanding of modern slavery did grow with reading this book. And that is really the only thing I enjoyed. If the book wasn't just 230 pages I probably would have stopped sooner.

The message of this book is really the only thing this book has going for it, and I would not recommend it unless you really want to be informed on modern day slavery.