Shattered [Paperback]

Kiki's world is turned upside down when her partially deaf mother loses custody of her children, sending Kiki and her siblings into foster care. After running away with a friend, the two run straight into the arms of a pedophile in disguise, who lures the two girls into a life far too mature for their twelve-year-old minds. Held in captivity for months, the girls are finally set free when a neighbor exposes them. But what should have been a happy moment for Kiki actually sends her on a life path that quickly spirals out of control.

Kia DuPree, a native of Washington, D.C., holds a B.A. in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University, as well as an M.A. in English from Old Dominion University. She received a Professional Studies Publishing Certificate from New York University in 2006. She is currently teaching middle school and lives with her husband and son in the DC area. In no-holds-barred flashbacks, readers live the soul-shattering experiences that follow--including prostitution, drug use, incest, rape, and physical abuse. DuPree skillfully describes the after-effects while demonstrating KiKi's strength and courage and her simple desire for a normal life. A riveting book that should be required reading for understanding at-risk youth. Publishers Weekly on SHATTERED Every page of this novel is intriguing and entertaining. This is the type of book that should be read in high schools across the county. It has the ability to make us look at one another similarly, and maybe, even for a brief amount of time, allow us to see past cultural differences and try to understand and change the flaws that plague our society...together. SUAVV Magazine on SILENCED DuPree's knack for dialogue and her insight and compassion for her characters inspire the reader's empathy-an outstanding achievement. Publishers Weeklyon SILENCED This novel is the real deal. Folks seeking a title for an urban book club need look no further. Itslƒ$