Title: Capturing Jasmina
Author: Kimberly Rae
Series: India’s Street Kids, book 1
Major Themes: Human Trafficking, India, Slavery
Synopsis: Jasmina and her brother are sold to a rich man and made slaves in his sweatshop.
Human trafficking is a nasty subject. I have read some news articles about it, but only one book. Several months ago, I read I Needed a Neighbor, by Patricia St. John, but apparently never reviewed it—what an oversight. Capturing Jasmina is a vivid picture of human trafficking in India today. It brought the problem very close home for me.
Jasmina and her brother lived with their poor family in a seaside hut. They were always poor, and Jasmina knew that her father disliked her for being a girl. In their culture, only boys had any value. Jasmina’s life consisted of helping her mother, working hard every day while her brother Samir played. Her mother taught her how to read and write, however, while Samir didn’t care about learning. Then one day, their life turned upside down. A strange, rich man came, offering to take the children to get an education, and gave their parents money. He called it an advance on their future earnings.
Jasmina and Samir soon learned the truth. They were slaves in a sweatshop, sewing garments for Americans. They worked hard all day every day for a little food, afraid to run away for fear of being beaten, and not able to run away because they had nowhere to go. Would they ever find freedom?
I did not know, until reading Capturing Jasmina, that this type of slavery existed today. This story makes it very real. However, this story does not end with an exposure of the problem. It also shows a solution and the hope that Jesus can give!
I received a free ecopy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
WARNING: Prostitution is mentioned, although not described.
Age levels:
Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15, 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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