It's Book Blurb Friday (even though it's Saturday right now; I wrote this post yesterday, but I wanted to get a little bit of mileage out of my post on Linda O'Connell's arrest--since that is really serious business--before it got "lost" in the blog shuffle.)
Every Thursday (for the early birds) Lisa Ricard Claro provides a photograph for our inspiration. Our mission? To write an enticing book "blurb" in 150 words or less. Writers then comment on Lisa's blurb (and say a big "thank you," please), and link their blurb to everyone else's, via the handsome Mr. Linky.
Here is my blurb. It's dark, but goes along with the mood I was in this week.
The Slow Death of Hope
by Sioux Roslawski
Franklin saw that framed picture when he went to his school library. A peaceful scene. The road curving…to another place. A better place.
Full of anger and hatred, he was finished. Finished with trying to get help. He wrote a letter to his teacher about the unspeakable things he and his brother and sister were being forced to do by Mom’s boyfriend. He told his principal. They had reported it. People in suits came over, but the boyfriend denied it; the case was closed.
Now Franklin and his family were moving. To a school where no one knows what happened last year…what’s still happening.
Will anyone with any power ever help Franklin? Will Mom ever get some sense and start protecting her precious kids? Will Franklin’s former teacher hunt the boyfriend down and slice off his testicles in a fit of rage?
Read to find if Franklin ever finds peace…
(150 words)
(Note: Unfortunately, this story is true. The name is changed, and it involves a friend of mine who works in an out-of-state school district. But sadly, the rest is true...And I'm pissed. And heartbroken.)
Oops, I'm not sure that my comment posted the first time ... Sioux, I am sorry to learn of this tragic story. If you write it, you could certainly highlight how much work needs to be done in protecting our kids. Some states do a much better job than others in that area; so do some parents. I'll be praying for the truth to be revealed for the real Franklin and his siblings.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Kathy M.
This is a topic that breaks my heart and makes my blood run cold. Even as a fictional story, these tales are true-to-life with elements that really did happen to some poor child. To know that this particular story is not a fictional circumstance, makes it even worse. How do we stop the victimization of children when it occurs in their own homes? Kathy is right--some states do a better job than others. Unfortunately, even "better job" isn't good enough. Sad one today, Sioux, but thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope the former teacher follows them. The boyfriend deserves punishment. Well, no, then the teacher would go to jail...vigilantism is never the answer, but my protect-the-child instinct is so strong, I forget sometimes.
ReplyDeleteExcellent horror story, Sioux, and one children are living this very minute. It certainly isn't hard to believe.
I would buy this book, and grind my dentures in fury the whole time I read it!
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
So sad. This should make everyone sad and wish vengeance upon that perp. Sadly, the world is not the place we often wish it to be.
ReplyDeleteAs for the blog award, feel free to break the rules. Rules are for suckers.
I don't blame you. I feel so helpless just reading about it, I can't imagine how horrible it must be for those innocent children. They are in my prayers. Could we write letters to someone? I mean, if you could get the names of the social service agencies who dropped the ball here? Or something?
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say, great (passion-evoking!) blurb!
Hello Sioux, there is nothing that speaks truth like truth itself. Every individual is different. Humans can have tremendous resilience, even if they carry scars for life. Revenge can seem to be the only way to peace. Such atrocity leaves one longing for just that; and which human won't! But what would bring TRUE peace? Franklin, I hope finds that kind of peace. I hope, Franklin can find someone who listens to him and he is able to confide. Thank you, for having the courage to write about child-abuse.
ReplyDeleteNothing pisses me off (and at the same time breaks my heart into a million pieces) than children being hurt, abused, taken advantage of...I simply can not stand it. I guess all I can do is realize that it does go on, never be naive to it, always advocate for children, and teach my own children to advocate for themselves. If we don't talk about it, if we whisper about it, it will continue to go on behind the scenes. We must SCREAM about it, stand up to it, INSIST upon stricter punishment. It disgusts me that there are pigs out there who prey on those who are too young, too afraid, too powerless to stand up to it. Ugh - I think I'm on a soap box - sorry!
ReplyDeleteJust keep sending anonymous reports to the child protective services until someone finally believes the children and not the boyfriend. And, yes, if she catches him to cut off his testicles, I'll provide the meat grinder.
ReplyDelete