Ages 12+


Somaly Mam was born in the forests of Cambodia in the early 1970's and sold into sexual slavery by her "grandfather" before she was even twelve years old. Maria Suarez came to America from Mexico when she was fifteen with her family. She went on a job interview to be a maid. When she got inside, her "interviewer" locked the door and told her he owned her body from that moment on. Minh Dang was born in San Jose, California. Her house was always neat and there were bright rose bushes in her front yard. Nobody knew that behind closed doors her parents were raping and abusing her from the time she was three years old. Soon they started selling her body to neighbours as well.


These three women could easily have been voiceless victims, lost to the horrors of their own histories. Instead, they not only fought their way out of sexual slavery, they have each become leading advocates and activists in the anti-trafficking movement.


Breaking Free, by award-winning author Abby Sher, recounts these women's incredible journeys from sex slave to survivor to saviour-but it doesn't stop there. The book delves even deeper into the horrors of human trafficking, which is receiving so much attention from the media these days. Remarkable, timely, and incredibly inspiring, Breaking Free, will strike a chord with YA readers as it recounts the stories of these courageous young women who, instead of running from their pasts, endeavour to help those still caught in the system. It sends the powerful message that, even in the most tragic circumstances, the unwavering hope and compassion of the human spirit will still shine through.

Teacher's Guide available, see http://barronsbooks.com/breakingfree/