Taking a break from the usual fare here--I will share a book with REALNEO.  At the recommendation of a young girl, I ordered Good Fortune by Noni Carter through the library.  I was hesistant at first.  I'll admit that I am weary of the recently popular, go-to thematic choices for young adult literature--vampires, gangs, and slavery.

But, the appeal of these over arching themes to teen audiences does not fail to elude me.  It's a difficult time in life and young adults want to understand their way out of dilemmas.  Good Fortune is just such a read.  I will hazard a guess that it should appeal more to a female reader than a male reader. 

The voice in the story belongs to a young girl, torn away from her tribe in Africa, and raised by surrogate family within a plantation household.  She has an adopted brother and mother and develops two personas as she is split in her duties between working the fields and working in the master's house. 

The author develops the character in mind and body as she finds joy in love and some freedom in her mind.  But, as the character's body matures, it becomes apparent that it too is viewed as property of the "masta."  For me, this element of the makes the story timeless.  It is an issue that continues to reasonate with readers, especially females.  Regardless of the setting, the character's experience is the story of any and every girl wrestling with desire and the conditioned need to please, while not giving away something that belongs to her alone. 

I am speaking from a female voice, but would love to know if this book appeals as much to a male voice.  Please read Good Fortune by Noni Carter.

Please read about Noni Carter here: http://www.nonicarter.com/pages/about-noni.php