SCARS: A Story of Betrayal, Survival and Hope

SCARS, a novel by Cheryl Rainfield is the story of an innocent  girl, Kendra, who has been abused since she was a small child. She has blocked out the abuse, but with the help of her therapist, her art and her friends, the memories are biting at her heels. Her self-injurious behaviors are increasing as she tries to cope with the painful memories of the past and the discovery that her abuser is stalking her.

The author deals with childhood sexual abuse with sensitivity and realism. Through flashbacks, the reader sees glimpses of her sexual abuse. As the story progresses, the reader experiences Kendra’s raw emotions and mounting fear as her abuser closes in on her.

To say SCARS is a page-turner is a cliché and I don’t want to demean the author's work by not being original. But the truth is I couldn't stop reading it. I worried with Kendra, smiled with her during her lighter moments and felt her fear as she was trapped with her abuser. I couldn't put the book down until I knew the outcome.

I won’t spoil the ending. SCARS is a powerful story of betrayal, survival and hope and a must-read for teens and young adults.

What other books do you feel is a must-read?