Broken China

by Lori Aurelia Williams

I always did right by Amina even though it was sometimes major difficult to take care of a daughter that I loved with all my heart, but never wanted in the first place. China Cup Cameron might miss school or fall asleep in class sometimes, but she's trying hard to be a good mother to Amina, her two-year-old daughter. When tragedy befalls the small family, China must quit school and work full-time to make ends meet. But the only place in town that's willing to hire a fourteen-year-old high-school dropout is Obsidian Queens, a strip club, and China is forced to make some difficult and potentially self-destructive decisions.

Genres: Young Adult, African American, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Abuse, Urban, Teen

331 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

Though Lori Aurelia Williams adored reading as a child, she never thought she’d be a writer when she grew up. While studying English at the University of Texas at Austin, she departed from the traditional lecture and composition courses and took a creative writing class on whim. Through that class, she learned she loved and had a gift for storytelling. For her fiction, which combines African-American storytelling with street slang, she was awarded a creative writing scholarship and a James A. Michener Fellowship. Born in Houston, Lori Aurelia Williams now lives in Austin.

Reviews

[Kayla Montague · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is totally awsome reading it left me in total shock cause it has the weirdest situations that are actually true for kids our ages who get into mischeive

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had an enjoyable writing style, realistic spoken vernacular, and characters that often pushed against stereotypes, but ultimately I cannot recommend this book because of the messages being conveyed to its readers. As other reviews have mentioned, the main character is surprisingly selfish, naive, and vicious to those around her, and I skipped most of the middle of the book because I didn't have any patience for her self-destructive behavior and short-sighted justifications.

It was extremely disappointing to me because the story is an engaging one - how a struggling early teen deals with events in her life far beyond what should be shouldered by one so young. But instead of showing us how those burdens can be destructive, we are shown a character who makes a series of decisions that nobody - not one other single person in the book - thinks are good moves, and it is those decisions that become her burden. The very real problems in her life become trivialized, even by her, as she ignores good advice and digs deeper and deeper holes for herself. The brief moments where she starts to realize how stupid she is being are quickly whisked away with flimsy justifications, or deus ex machinas that take away her responsibility for her behavior.

It seemed to me that someone who had just spent two years raising a child would have achieved a level of wisdom, or at the very least realism, that was much, much higher than what is displayed here. I'm not sure what this book is supposed to be teaching young readers. You don't have to apologize if you are mean to people? It's okay to make stupid decisions because it's not your fault? Don't appreciate all the wise people and resources you have in your life because they are such a buzz kill? Make sure to call everyone you don't like "heifers" because it's wrong to be fat?

We certainly need more Young Adult (or any) books set in African American communities, but I would only read this one as a last resort. There are just too many destructive messages on display here, and too few useful insights to justify them.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Williams
1|25|2009
Independent Reading Project


For my Independent Reading Project I did the book called “Broken China”, by Lori Aurelia Williams. This book takes place in an urban neighborhood in Queens. China Cup Cameron, a fourteen-year-old single mother with only her paralyzed Uncle Simon for support, takes on tremendous personal debt in hopes of a beautiful funeral after her daughter dies. Her mother died when she was young due to brain cancer. China was in school and her principle did look after her but it wasn’t much they could he mind was mostly else where worried about he daughter Amina. Amina father Trip was around but mostly hid the fact that china had his baby. When Amina got really sick china took her to the hospital. At first she believe it was a little cold that she caught from Yolanda little girl, but days pass and it got serious. The doctors warn China about the situation that Amina was facing so she got prepare for what was to happen. At night Amina would breathe funny, she was taking medicine but it wasn’t working and China knew what was up. During one day while China was in school she got the news that Amina died she was only two. In order to have money China drop out of school and began to strip.

This book is good because not many people know how it actually feels to have a baby at a young age. Some think the worst is about to happen and everything much come to an end, but it’s not always like that. China did balance out everything she had to do she did the best she could so. With the fact of her losing her daughter not many people would know how to deal with that, but the way I look at I believe China handle it in a good way. I know losing her daughter was the hardest thing but it didn’t break her down. From doing this I believe China mature in so many ways. Being that she didn’t have a mother figure she had a positive impact by her Uncle Simon. Throughout this whole situation the bond between grew more.

The person I believe is the most powerful in this book would be China. Not because she’s the main character but she caught my attention when I first read it. I never knew how hard it was for a young teenage parent and how many things they had to give up. When you think about it your not main person in your life anymore but that new born child is. China always put her daughter first and I respect her for that.

From this book I learn a lot. I learn to be very mature about the things I do in life. I learn not let little things affect me but at the end I will always face something twice as harder. I would recommend this book to all urban teenagers. Those who are going threw hard time and even those who are having sex. This book makes you think twice about any decision you make in life. This book is a big wake up call, it not only does it speaks to young but old.

Megan Williams.

[Jodysegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life is a struggle for fourteen-year-old China. Her mother has passed away, she is raising a two- year-old daughter with the help of her wheel-chair bound Uncle who has problems of his own, and her teachers have grown impatient with her absences and slipping grades. China tries to be a great mother, but she cannot prevent her daughter’s death from an undetected heart defect. Broken China explores how China grieves the loss of her child, defiantly pursuing one poor decision after another and rejecting the support of the people who love her. While China’s choice to pay off her funeral debt by working at a strip club and the depiction of her experiences there dip into the predictable and sensational, Williams' language brings China’s voice and world to life, and her emotional turbulence and willful impulsivity ring true. While the violence in this novel is suggested rather than overt, I recommend the novel for ages 14 and older.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

14-year-old China takes a job waiting tables at a Houston strip club in order to pay for her daughter's funeral. Her voice resonates strongly, speaking to cyclical poverty and the pressure of teenage parenthood. Reluctant teen readers will be intrigued by the book's style and China's voice, although parents/educators may have qualms with the subject matter.

[Booktalk this!: 8th-10th grade, F, RR]

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had very mixed feelings about this book. In many ways, I thought I was a total rip off of Imani All Mine. It also had a very weird way of being shocking and sanitized at the same time. She is a 14 year old mother working in a strip club, but no one ever curses or uses the "N" word? It's about a 12 year old girl who gets pregnant and has a baby after unwittingly messing around with her best friend. Then after her baby dies, she goes into massive debt for by wanting a big, fancy funeral for her daughter. She decides to work at a strip club (at 14 REALLY?!) to pay off the debt. There are very detailed (too long) descriptions of other characters that seem completely convoluted. for instance, her uncle is in a wheel chair, and he spends all his time making little clay figures of people and baking them in the oven. I think the author needed a really good editor to trim this book by at least 1/3. Also, it seems very dated, with references to kids wearing Tommy Hilfiger etc... that makes it seem like 1995 (no cell phones etc...), but the book was published recently.

[LeeAngie · Rating 5 out of 5]

China Cup Cameron tells the story of how her life does a huge 360 once a devastating event occurs as she's already struggling as a teenager, making it very interesting and fascinating. Being only fourteen she has to make a lot of life changing decisions. China Cup wasn't the only one that had difficulties and problems as the all the characters stories start to branch out just as china explains all her flaws and growth and lessons that average teenage girls don't have to go through. The book was captivating from the beginning and me as a reader, I love books that aren't boring from the beginning and the story right from the start had me wanting to read more, wanting to know exactly how china handles the obstacles that come her way. China went through many relatable experiences that us young adults can relate to in this generation and I recommend it to anyone and everyone especially young teens like myself.

[Diana Townsend · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of the most annoying books I have ever read. It was horrible. The writing isn't bad, it's not that, but the story is just unbelievable and the characters are so one dimensional and unlikable. I didn't like China Cup (seriously? i mean really, this is her name?) and I really didn't feel for her when tragedy happened which is strange because that is the reaction I assume the author wanted but she went too fast. We barely get to know China or her daughter before things start falling apart and it's just gets worse from there. This child is just dumb. I'm sorry, the things she falls for are just crazy. She believes everything anyone tells her and she is very selfish too. And very silly. You don't have a baby by someone and tell them it's your burden alone. I just wanted to smack her 99% of the time I read this so I am glad I finished it so I never have to see it again.

[Cait S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I'm middle of the road on this book, as the three stars indicate. I'm not really overwhelmed by thinking it's amazing or unique or anything like that. But it also wasn't bad. It just kind of was.

My main complaint is that I really didn't like China at all. I realize that she's only fourteen and that lends to be a complete friggin idiot. But it was like she couldn't put together the most simple of things and somehow managed to turn absolutely everything into something about her. Again, a symptom of being fourteen, but also not that enjoyable to read for 300 pages.

Best parts of the story were her best friend/baby's father Trip, who actually seemed to have a decent head on his shoulders most of the time. And her Uncle Simon. Who must have been some kind of saint to put up with her nonsense.

It's a fairly quick read but...meh. I wasn't super impressed.

[Rad · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as I'm concerned, this is the EPITOME of a problem novel. Problems keep on coming, probably even after the book is over. And problems happened before the book even started! If I didn't know any better, I'd swear it was a sequel to some other book. I mean, listen:
1. Teen mom has baby (before book has started)
2. Her parents are dead or gone or something (before book has started)
3. Her best friend has several children already (before book has started)
4. Her baby dies
5. She can't afford a fancy funeral
6. She starts working at a strip club

Can you see? The problems! They just keep happening!

Oh, and here's my joke review: This book was so depressing, FDR created a New Deal for it!

[Soledad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great book. It's one of the very few books that catch my attention. I usually hate reading. But this book really got me to start reading a little more. The main character goes through so much. Losing her parents, her uncles paralyzed, and he daughter dies. Shes not in school and she has a horrible job at a strip club.

I learned so many things from this book. The biggest thing i learned was that everything that happens in the story can and is probably happening to someone right now. It's very sad, but i guess that's life. I learned that sometimes whats best fro others isn't whats best for you. I recommend this book for any teen girls that are interested in these types of stories. It's a really, really awesome story. I loved it.

[Genise]

China Cup Cameron, a fourteen-year-old single mother might miss school or fall asleep in class sometimes, but she's trying hard to be a good mother to Amina, her two-year-old daughter with only her paralyzed Uncle Simon for support. China must quit school and work full-time to make ends meet. She now has to take on tremendous personal debt in hopes of a beautiful funeral after her daughter dies. She must become a coat check girl for a strip club called Obsidian Queens, in order to pay for the funeral. These vivid details paint a tragic world of girls having to grow up too soon and unfortunately it happens way to often in our communities.

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 3 out of 5]

my own mother had me at 14 so I guess that's why I was interested in reading this book.The plot of the story is what attracted me to the book. To be honest I read the first 3 pages and put it down, but then I started reading it again and I'm happy I finished reading it. The story itself was good but I was expecting a lot more. Maybe that's just on me. It did open my eyes and make me grateful for situations that I am in, unlike the protagonist who has been through so much in her 14 years. I really felt her emotions when she was at her "lowest point" I don't want to go deep into the story but all in all I think it's a book worth reading.

[Janine Darragh · Rating 3 out of 5]

China has a baby at age 12 and at age 14 takes a job at a strip club to try to pay for some unexpected expenses. One of the few YA novels that portrays southern poverty, this one can be used as examples of both the perpetuation of negative stereotypes, but also how quickly things can spiral out of control when one does not have access to resources (human and monetary) and knowledge.

[Kenya]

VERRRRRRYY good book

[Kandace-Ma'at · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked reading the book and seeing how the character’s developed over the course of the story. Poor China Cup has been through it all. It was hard to imagine what I would do in her situation, it was like the world was against her BUT she wasn’t taking anyone’s advice and had to figure it out on her own. I wish I had seen more development in Trip’s character though. Even his mom, Shronda Faye, seemed to change her perspective of China Cup and of Trip’a writing.

The book used a different slang I wasn’t used to like, “(ex- or best-) girlfriend” to describe a friend that’s a girl, “my dark sister” or “light skinned sister” to describe a person’s skin complexion, “little sister” to describe someone younger than you, or “seeing green” to describe the feeling of jealousy...but it allowed me to step into China Cup’s world a little. I also was interested in how Williams described the characters by the color of their fros, “thick cornrows”, “fat lips”, or “firm black porcelain skin”. There was no mistaking which ethnicity these characters were.

It was a little weird that the teenagers didn’t have access to modern technology. Like they had to use landlines to contact one another or the school computers to have access to the internet. And the only way to get around way the bus which we have Uber and Lyft all around now. The teenager’s fashion was a little outdated too.

The differences in the characters’ slang, style, and lack of modern technology made it easier to escaped into a “different” world while reading. I rarely got bored and sometimes wanted to skip to the next page to read what was going to happen next.

[Melodie Latrelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was one of those controversial books in the thrift store that I didn't think I'd ever actually get around to reading. My grandmother passed right after I finally got around to it, so I had to put it down because I just couldn't handle the feelings that came with it. I finally did get to pick it back up and nothing could have prepared me for the emotions I caught as I finished the story.

It was a long and painful read for me. Sometimes it felt like it dragged on and on, but when it picked up, the emotions came rushing back and left me empty. I plan to donate this book because this story is one that I feel could change some young girl's life one day. There is a moral to be gathered within the pages, and that's what makes it worth its rating.

[Chai King-James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very upset that this novel was taken from me and not returned, but I loved this book and the many themes and plot was so compelling. Very tough to read if you can't handle dead children but the ambition from China was so heartfelt that I honestly never put it down. I'm going to search for it now, so I can re-read it.

[Terry Filkohazi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but I don't think China really learned a lesson. It's all about her and it was that way throughout the whole book. She rather go into debt and work at that shady place instead of choosing the cheaper coffin. She could have chosen white if she didn't like the pink. Lots babies are buried in white coffins. And to not even go to her baby's funeral! Just unbelievable.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a childhood favorite of mine so I decided to give it a re-read! And while it doesn’t hold up as being my FAVORITE book of all time, it holds up as still being a great story with good writing!

[Cemerial Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

i enjoyed this book so much it tells you about how she made her life work with a child at a young age

[Kierra Green · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected.. at all. No storyline and very all over the place.

[Naajeeahsmith2012 · Rating 4 out of 5]

BROKEN CHINA:

"I always did right by Amina even through it was sometimes major difficult to take care of a daughter that I loved with all my heart but never wanted in the first place." What would you do if you loved something but you never wanted or lost everything in your life?? Well that is what exactly happened to China Cameron. At fourteen, China Cameron is trying hard to be a good mother to her two-year-old daughter, conceived while China and her best friend, Trip, were "fooling around" at his house one day. China's disabled Uncle is her only parent since the death of her mother and her father's early abandonment. They do all they can to help her stay in school and parent well.


This is my favorite book because I wanted to read it and was not forced to read something that I did not want to. This is a good book because it was not long and relates to teenage girls and teens. Broken China is a very interesting book because it tells the reader the up and downs of a teen when they have a child. Broken China is based off the author life Lorri Aurelia Williams. As the reader you will learn more about yourself like I did. I learned to ask myself questions as I read like, what would I do if I was a teen mom or am I reading this book to get more knowledge and be more aware of my actions. I also like the book Broken China because I got to choose a book that I wanted to read and liked. Hopefully you will enjoy Broken China as much as I did.



Broken China is a good book because it tells how teens as young moms have to struggle. You as the reader you might find this book to be good literature like I did. Broken China book is organized around the major issues of teen girls and teen’s life. This book can inspire you to change your life style and think before you do things. As a young mom China has to deal with a lot of things such as losing her baby and working places where she does not want to. “Amina contracts a respiratory infection and dies, leaving China not only devastated but responsible for a large funeral bill: she insists on ordering the most beautiful casket in the catalogue and funeral services that turn out to be devastatingly expensive”. Could you ever in your wildest dream plan a funeral for your baby? I would just be devastated. “To pay the bill, against the advice of Trip and her uncle, China begins working at the reception desk of a local "gentlemen's club.” Would you do anything for your baby that you did not want but loved some much that you would give your life for? I know from talking to my family and friend’s people have to do things even if loved ones did not approve.



Broken China is very interesting because it keeps the reader on the edge of there seat. As I read this book more and more I just wanted to cry because when China faces a challenge another one comes her way. China still have to work in a "gentlemen's club because that is the only place that would hire a fourteen year old girl.” "Though the job requires that she wear skimpy and revealing clothing, and subjects her to the unwelcome attentions of inebriated patrons, she squares it with her conscience by hanging onto the belief that she is doing the best she can for her daughter. The terms of her employment, however becomes more difficult as she is moved toward "dancing" on stage. When she finally decides to quit, she finds that the club is partly owned by the funeral director, who has a history of involving young women in her situation in debilitating debt. A subplot follows the misfortunes of China's best friend, Yolanda; a young women in her twenties with several children by different fathers who are trying to realign her life after her youngest children are taken temporarily to foster care. Despite their various difficulties, the characters enter with compassion and imagination into each other's lives, and find ways to help one another. Although China faces a lot of ups and downs she finds hope and a best friend to talk to and lean on.



At the end of the story, “China finally consents to visit her daughter's grave something she has strenuously avoided and concedes to the necessity of coming to terms in a new way with her loss. So as to reorient her life beyond funeral expenses and go back to school with a reclaimed hope of a different kind of life.” As I read this book over and over again it is still interesting, a good book and I still want to read this book. Wow I would never have had the strength to do what China Cameron did. So it is up to you to think before your actions. As you read Broken China imagine that it is you and your child. How would you feel if you lost everything in your life? So will you take the tools hat is provided for you and use them wisely or will you read this book and many more books just like Broken China?

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot:

Gritty, realistic, yet also depressing because the main character is so young to be going through what she does. Overall it wasn't overly predictable though I guessed the twist with the brother at the funeral home.


Setting:

Felt very real, especially when it came to the gentleman's club. While I've never been to one, it sounded like the real deal.

Characters:

China Cup Cameron (no, not even kidding about that name) was a character that frustrated me yet also one that I couldn't stop feeling bad for. She's fourteen, very naive, and often self-centered. Yet she also has a two-year-old daughter.

While some of her actions really annoyed me, her peers acted similar and I know that I was a very naive person growing up. I don't feel China had as much development as I would have liked to see. While she did make a good first step toward the end, she didn't seem to learn too much from her mistakes. But she is very young and undergoing a traumatic event without a real parent in her life so it does feel realistic that she has a hard time navigating a grown-up world.

I liked and didn't like Trip, the father of China's child. While China apparently pushed him from any real responsibilities, him letting her take the brunt of the responsibility really annoyed me. Especially when he would call her his Bunny Face girl and suddenly act all concerned when something was wrong but didn't once offer any help. I did like him as the story went on and he began to redeem himself in trying to warn China from working at the gentleman's club.

Uncle was an interesting character but he also had his own issues, namely keeping distance from his ward, China. Even though legally China was on her own, I was amazed that the only monetary solution seemed to be a fourteen-year-old working at a strip club.

I found Yolanda, Trip's mother, and Star annoying but maybe I was supposed to. In a way, Yolanda is somewhat responsible for China's tragedy because she is such a neglectful mom. I did find her subplot to be interesting considering the contrast with the tragedy.

Sweet Petite and the woman from the bookshop were sweet characters and refreshing.

The brother from the funeral home was slimy and unlikable from the start. If only China would have picked up on his sleeziness like I did right away.

Relationships:

Most of the relationships are very strained because China can only see one road ahead of her and refuses to listen to anyone. I did like her relationship with her uncle. The relationship she had with Trip would have been more likable if he offered to help with their kid more often. China states once that she admires Trip for putting his love for his favorite Sci-Fi show above everyone, including her and their daughter. I just can't get over how messed up that is. I know he's about the same age as she is, but really. If China is a selfish character, then so is Trip. Actually, I found the majority of the characters in this to be on the self-centered side.

Writing/Voice:

At first it almost turned me off because there was a lot of slang and I felt like I'd stepped into a different world. But once I got used to it, the writing was actually pretty good. I do feel like the author overused words too much. "Brother", "Dark sister", "fly", etc.

Ending:

It was a good start to China finally facing something difficult.

Overall, pretty good. Much better than I was expecting. 3.5 stars.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the whole book review here: http://paperbookworm.blogspot.com/200...

China Cup Cameron is a fourteen-year-old student struggling to fit both of her lifestyle in school and at home as a mom to her little daughter Amina. Now before you get thinking that this story might be a cliché, take time to read the first set of chapters before you make any conclusion.

This is a tip for you readers for the reason that at first I was appalled with the idea of reading something like this - it's my first time to read a novel that revolves around teenage pregnancy and black people. Honestly I almost gave up with the book at its early stage because I am simply off with black slang language (no racism intended but this is my opinion). I can't handle the difficulty in reading the context but a good point is that it does reflect the true conversation and culture of black people in cities like where China lives.

The book is all about the struggles China has to face: raising up her own child, keeping good grades at school, taking care of his uncle at home, and building a strong character for herself. All of which were put to vain when Amina suddenly dies and China has to pay for her funeral and memorial services. After seeing the amount she owes, she is forced to quit school and get a job. But what job would a fourteen-year-old girl have if she's dropped from class? Only the strip dance club downtown accepts such cases: Obsidian Queens.

Reading the book, it seemed to me that it was more like a memoir than a novel. Lori Aurelia Williams did a good job reflecting what today's youth is more likely about. She has also effectively enumerated the consequences of pre-marital sex and the hardship of being a young mother to Amina and made you feel that China was human and not just a character in a book.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The words "Broken China" says alot about the story , the story takes place in the queens , its about a 14 year old girl named China whos broken because she strugles to take care of her two year daughter Amina. China strugles with going to school on time and doing her work , she lives with her Uncle who's paralyzed,because her mother passed away , and her father has never been part of her life. After her and her uncle go through another lost China is forced to get a job at a strip club to pay for funeral arrangements. Chinas uncle and the father to her child chip aren't pleased with chinas choice of working there. " what the willows dont know wont make them weep" ive chossen this quote because it relates to the phrase what he or she dont know wont hurt him or her . Which also says alot about the novel because China chooses not to tell everyone her business nor her struggles , instead she puts everyone before her self. What i liked about the book was that a young lady goes through so many strugles at such a young age an still trys to put everyone before her self.

[Ariel Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

China Cup Carson is a 14 year old balancing going to Johns Wilson High School full time. Shes barely hanging on and trying to raise her 2 year old daughter Amina by herself with the exception of her uncle. When death strikes the tiny family, China is forced to find a job that will require her to make large amounts of money in a short period of time. Unfortunately, the only place that will hire a fourteen year old high school dropout is Obsidian Queens, the local gentleman's club. China journey is a path full of detours but also shortcuts to her finish-line.

Broken China is a fast pace book and it will keep you on your toes through the entire book. I love how authentic the book was it really shows the journey of a teenage mother caring for her child. It gives a birds eye view of what teenage mother go through on a daily basis. Being at school and worrying about their child or even being a away from their child for short periods of time. Thinking of the what if's and the i should have's

Since Broken China is a fast pace book it was kind of a quick read. My main dislikes were the minor grammar errors and the ending of the book which I am not suppose to tell but if you read the book you will definitely see why I say this.

The main characters in the book are China Carson the teenage mother,Amina China's daughter, Trip China's best friend and also Amina's father, and China's Uncle who helped raise her and also Amina.

[Nazia · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Broken China by Lori Aurelia Williams, the main character China faces a terrible conflict that most teenagers face today. She lives with her handicapped uncle because her mother died at a young age. China goes through her childhood and parenthood at the same time, which is really tough. She gets pregnant in high school and it's difficult for her to take care of her baby and stay in school at the same time. She loved her daughter but she never wanted her so soon. Since she's only 14 the only place that would hire her was a strip club. She had no choice but to take the job to make ends meet.

The book is really touching because she goes through a lot of struggles. Her growing up without her mom, and trying to be one at the same time. I think that's one of the most saddest part of this book.

I would recommend this book to every teenage girl because its warning girls of the consequences of having sex at an early age.

[Krys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommand this book to all teenagers. This book is a great example of how teenage mother go through many trail and tribulations when they make the wrong decisions in life. China Cup Cameron, a fourteen year old single mother, goes through a great deal of struggle trying to take care of her daughter Amina. She had to make many hard decisions to help take care of her child. She strived everyday to make ends meet, but the her daughter died. Now, the struggle gets intense because she felt that she had to do what ever it took to pay for her daughter;s funneral. She wanted to her daughter to at least rest in peace so she struggled to pay for her funneral. This story can teach a great lesson to all; Think more than twice before making a decision that you'lL regret in the future. The goal is to strive for the best now, to make your life easier in the future...although life will never be easy.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken China is about a teenage mother named China Cup Cameron. China was raised by her uncle after her mother died and her grandparents left. However in living with her uncle China at fourteen became pregnant with her daughter Amina. She was able to raise Amina and take care of her with the help of her uncle; however when Amina died due to a heart illness, China was forced to do things that she never thought she would before. China decided to work at a night club to be able to pay for Amina’s funeral.