Dime

Dime got a lot of things right. Most girls who are trafficked by pimps are girls of color, and many have been in the foster care system or come from abusive families. Pimps/traffickers want money, they don't want to risk losing income or getting arrested. They know to select girls who no one is going to look for, or care about. They're not kidnapping little white girls in pigtails from the schoolyard. They're grooming girls who are already falling through the cracks of society.Spoilers ahead-- be warned.The whole bit with the baby, and the pimp trying to sell the baby, that was completely ludicrous. Again, pimps/traffickers do not want to get arrested. They want money. A pimp would not risk getting arrested by trying to sell a baby. That's sensationalizing an issue that's very serious and affects many girls today. People will care more about younger girls, smaller children and babies, but the reality is most of the girls who are trafficked are teenagers. The most common age of entry into sex trafficking is around 14 years old. And pimps aren't selling the trafficking victim's babies, that's something I've never even heard of outside of this work of fiction. Not that it never happens, but that's not at all a common feature of American sex trafficking.Also, the parts where he took the girls to another state, that was a little ridiculous too. Most often, pimps are trafficking girls in the communities where they live. "Trafficking" may not be the best term for what happens, because most of the time the victims are not moved from one place to another. Again, it's very risky for a pimp. To be caught with three underage girls, none of whom are related to him, would be a risk for him to get arrested, which, again, pimps will avoid.And the part with the international trafficking victims, that was over the top too. I think the author was trying to include as many forms of trafficking as possible into one book, but that doesn't work well, and weakens the story.I'm glad that there is more awareness of sex trafficking, but even in fiction I believe it is important to show a more accurate portrayal of what sex trafficking actually looks like in America. It's a difficult topic, and I do applaud E. R. Frank for writing this and trying to share more awareness of the issue.

I had been looking for a book about a foster child who fell victim to sex trafficking to share with a teenager that I mentor who could be in danger of that. I read the book first to be sure it's something I wanted to share. It really is good. It pulls no punches. It doesn't make trafficking attractive, it isn't preachy. It just is what it is. I think in reading this a young person could glean what the red flags could be in their lives if similar things started happening in the places they live and the people they know. It rings true for me, the characters, the grooming by the predators, etc. and I highly recommend it - especially for anyone looking for a book for a teen who is concerned about foster care and sex abuse issues.

This was a very good book and one I plan to put forward for a book club I lead on marginalized populations. Sex trafficking is something more people should be aware of, and this author does a good job of showing how Dime gets trapped through no fault of her own. She is a very believable narrator. The author also does a good job of raising awareness and getting the reader rightly upset without putting the reader through graphic depictions of the sex.It's not exactly criticism, but I wish Dime wasn't a foster kid as I hate that some readers will think this can't happen to their own children. It does happen to well-loved kids as well. Also, I wish it showed what happened when she got out. From what I have heard and read from credible sources, it sounds like the recovery for former sex trafficking victims is rough and long.

I did not think I was going to be able to finish this book because I ugly cried the whole time. It is a hard read but very compelling and relevant to our time. Frank covers a multitude of modern issues in the world of human trafficking in a way that makes readers feel overwhelmed with awareness and empathy. Although it was uncomfortable at times to read, I think it was necessary. It is a good work of YA. If you plan to introduce this book to a teenager or young adult, be prepared for the discussions that follow and the ones that will be hard to have. Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane is a good classic to introduce along with it as well.

This is powerfully written with keen insights into the issue of sex trafficking. E.R. Frank is a great writer with the ability to depict this issue with a realistic view and a respect for the experience of those who have been there/currently live it. Well worth the read, to put it mildly--highly recommend!

I have read some gritty books in my life, but this was probably the most difficult. It hurt to read some parts, but I couldn't bring myself to put it down.As difficult a read as this was, I cannot wait to share this with the young women and men in my life. The value of a human life should never be diminished to the sheer gain of another person, and E. R. Frank does a skillful job of creating a realistic and heartfelt portrayal of such an instance.

Absolutely loved the ending! I did not see that coming at all! Would def recommend and it was a wonderful choice for our book club! This will make for an excellent discussion once we get together

Well written, great to help people gain the perspective of sex trafficking and why someone would choose to stay when it seems so obvious to leave!