Noah's Rights

by Kenni York

Nearly every two minutes in America someone is sexually assaulted. Olivia Collins, an urban author residing in the heart of the hood, knows this better than anyone. Working hard to repress her own issues, Olivia encounters Noah, an underprivileged foster kid who views himself as a number; a statistic. As the awkward duo gets to know one another, secrets about Noah begin to unfold while unraveling Olivia's resolve and forcing her to deal with her own demons. No one understands her sudden and unexplainable connection to or concern for the young boy, but their relationship runs deeper than anyone around her could ever understand given her undisclosed past. Olivia's certain that she and Noah share a bond solidified by a common pain making them nearly one in the same, for she too is a statistic in her own way.

241 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2017

Reviews

[Dee Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book earlier this year & made sure to add it as one of my summer reads. Once I began reading after lunch today, I found myself unable to stop reading until the end. Noah's situation was truly heartbreaking as I found myself reaching for tissue on more than 1 occasion. Olivia was needed for she understood. While this was not the first book I've read of this nature, the writing in this story was so profound, I felt as if I knew the characters personally, & I honestly wanted to help. The flashbacks provided adequate information that helped the storyline flow smoothly. I recommend others to read this book.

[Joi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short book. It was very sad, it tugged at my heart strings. I'm glad that the author did not make the story unrealistic by giving it a happy ending like I thought she was. All of the characters were fully developed and I enjoyed getting to know each one of them. I'm glad that I picked this book up.

[Erika Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was heartbreaking. It is a story that is very real. The story struck a nerve with me because of the work I do and it's sad to know that each case manager is that close to being in that situation. It's sad that there are foster parents only out there for the money, but I'm fortunate enough not to have encountered any. This is a story that needed to be told.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is nothing stellar, however more books like this need to be available, especially for children and teens. It is important for books to cover the hard issues that are covered here. This book does not have a happy ending and shows the pitfalls in our legal and social systems and I think it works for this book. For the topics covered, there are often are not happy ending, which makes the book real, especially for kids. I hope if young people are reading this they can find comfort in not feeling alone and hopefully can find someone who can advocate for them.

[Erica L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. What a tear jerker! Such a well written, and important novel. I would have given it 5 stars because it was well researched and compassionately written. The reason I only gave it 4 was because it was so.......heartbreaking.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was truly heartbreaking and so very true.

[LATOYA LEWIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew....started off very disturbing but I couldn't stop reading. This book explains my current job and my passion for child advocacy. Being a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is an important job and their voice in this broken system. Kennedy (Olivia) who was introduced in the beginning of the story was also a child being abused and molested by her own father. She endured it for years, when she finally left home, she changed her name to Olivia in effort to separate herself from that life. One day after work she gets home and theirs a kid (Noah) sitting on her porch, crying and visibly shaken. Noah told her that he didn't want to but someone made him take the drugs and told him he had to sell it. Not knowing they'd be bridged together from that day forward. Noah ended up running to her house all times of the day and night, which prompted her look out for the best interest of Noah. With her becoming his CASA and fighting to the end to get him the help he needs and out of the Foster parents house. In the Foster home, Ms May's was molestating him, her son was letting his drug clients have sex with Noah for payment, beating Noah, starving him. DFCS was even falsifying paperwork along with the schools administration which failed Noah and kept him in the home with the ones who was doing the harm. Ultimately Noah was killed in his Foster home....This story broke me, unfortunately this happens more often than not. Sexual abuse is the most unreported crime, and it's by someone they know, parental predators, or someone of authority. I beg....please help and listen to the children.
#Book25of2022 #Bookworm #Whatsnext

[Elle Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found myself wanting to like this book more than I did. It came across like the book was graphic to distract from the inadequacies of the writing and/or editing. For example, in the beginning it talks about how she worked with her friend who is now a supervisor with social services while she's an author. The callousness and lack of professionalism on behalf of the friend was bizarre. Olivia's ignorance was also strange given that she'd done the job before. She appeared to have no concept of how it worked.
The flashbacks appeared disjointed at times. Many of the issues could have been eliminated with stronger editing. I understand the point the author was trying to make, however.

[Anita Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This book deserves a five star ,Kenni York put her heart and soul in this book from the beginning to the end.The system failed Noah he never had a chance,all the signs was there and yet Noah didn't get th help he truly needed.No child should have to live like Noah,this book brought out every emotional state in me.What's sad is child abuse is spreading like a disease .Kenni York this story was very powerful on so many levels, I felt this so deeply.A best seller for sure!!!!

[Sheryl Boyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I was so emotional reading this book. I am passionate about people that have been abused and are hurting mentally,spiritually,as well as physically. This book caused me to focus on my gifts that God placed in me and start looking into ways I can contribute to society.

[L.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Search this book out!! Read the back and make your own decision! I kept picking up the book to get further into the story. This book is so much for today as well as the future. How many children lost, how many children rescued?

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, angering...

[Aleia McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speechless

I couldn't put this book down as it was a true page turner. It spoke to so many people's experience, and I'm so thankful that someone is telling our story.

[Kenyatta Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad, yet so true on how the system fails children

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulls you in and has you holding your breath until the end. You may not need a bookmark for this hard to put down quick read, but you will need tissues.