The Wishing Pearl

Title: THE WISHING PEARL
Author: Nicole O’Dell
Publisher: Barbour Books
October 2011
ISBN: 978-1616264543
Genre: Inspirational/young adult

Olivia is sixteen and is anxious to get away from her step-father’s sexual abuse. But Mom won’t listen to her when she tries to talk to her, and just accuses her of being unkind to Charles. But then Olivia’s new friends introduce her to alcohol and drugs, and Olivia finds that when she’s drunk or stoned she doesn’t worry too much about her step-father.

When Olivia’s Mom finds out, she also learns about a home for trouble teens. She takes Olivia out for a visit, but Olivia isn’t interested in staying. She wants to be with her friends, she wants her mom to listen, and she wants things to be made right.

But things go from bad to worse. When Olivia comes to the brink of a complete breakdown, she finds herself at a crossroads. Will the demons of her past be too much to beat? Or will she find hope and healing?

THE WISHING PEARL is a gritty book about the side of life that is down and dirty. Olivia has a lot of issues to deal with to begin, but add in an abusive stepfather, a clueless Mom who doesn’t seem to care, and a bad group of friends and everything skyrockets out of control.

If you have a teenager, then this would be a good book for them to read, but I suggest reading it first and then discussing the book with your teen as they read it. Make sure the topics are all addressed, there is a lot to deal with in here. Recommended for the mothers of teens and teen girls themselves. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $9.99. 367 pages.