About the Book
Fifteen-year-old Meena has given up all hope of ever escaping the brothel.
For three years she’s locked away her memories – of home, of her childhood friend, of what it means to hope. But when a botched police raid offers her a chance at freedom, Meena must face the truth about her past.
As she attempts to piece her life back together, the memories she has buried deep inside begin to resurface. Meena realises escaping the brothel is only the beginning of what it means to be free.
Can she face the truth in her memories? Can she return to Nepal if it means returning alone? Or will she face the red-light district one last time?
‘Sometimes it’s ourselves we need to trust again…’
About the Author
Penny Jaye writes books for children and older readers. From YA novels to picture books, her books strive to find beauty, hope, strength, and love even in the toughest of settings.
Although ‘Out of the Cages’ is her first novel for young adults, Penny is an experienced and award-winning author with more than 20 books published under her other author name, Penny Reeve.
She is currently living, and writing, in western Sydney, Australia.
My Thoughts
Penny Jaye was awarded the CALEB Award 2019 for Young Adult fiction for this fabulous book. To say I loved this book would be difficult, but that is only due to the subject about which it is written. ’Out of the Cages’ is beautifully written. Written with honesty, sincerity, and a great deal of courage. Penny’s research into this subject is second to none. The characters throughout, more than adequately portray how the atrocities of child sex trafficking would have, and still do affect these poor innocent children. The courage and determination of Meena’s character displays the character of the many children who have been lost but rescued. Penny paints an accurate picture of the circumstances surrounding the sex trafficking trade and in particular the psychological impact upon the children and their families.
I became engaged with many of the characters, felt their pain, fear, and humiliation, and found myself sobbing as I read to the end. It wasn’t an ideal ending in the sense of ‘happily ever after’ (there is no ‘happily ever after’ in this section of our cruel world). However, it was enlightening to see how Meena coped with the agony of her life, and how she was able to move on and recover. I would recommend this book to everyone over the age of fifteen. Definitely worth 5+ stars
This book sounds intriguing and like a very good page turner! I will be adding this book to my TBR list thanks to your review about it.
You’re welcome Alicia. This is definitely a book that everyone should read. Yes it is a heartbreaking read, but it informs us about those details we otherwise wouldn’t realise or understand. Penny writes with a faithful heart, and hopefully as more people become aware of the extent of these atrocities, more help may be received. God bless.
Yes, not easy to read this kind of book but I think I should. There is so much in life that we have no idea about.
Hi Christine. Yes, I thoroughly recommend this book.
Out of the Cages is not an easy book to read, the subject being so horrific, but as I read I felt every word as if it were etched painfully in my heart. Penny has written from her own heart and her writing reveals the extent of her research and her grief for the characters, who may be fictional but are thinly veiled real-life girls she met while researching. I couldn’t put the book down and felt that it was a privilege to read it.
Hi Robyn. I couldn’t have said it better. Everyone ought to read this book. God bless ♡
I have just read this book – the whole thing today! It so really well written and totally un-put-down-able! The topic is something everyone should know about, and this book is a great way to see inside the shocking world of trafficking women. Well done, Penny. You so deserve the Omega Prize.
Just wanted to pop by to say thank you, Jeanette, for taking the time to write such a lovely review of Out of the Cages!
Also, thank you to the others who have read it and shared their experiences of the story in the comments above.
It was a tough story to write, but one I knew needed to be written. I never take it for granted when a reader decides to pick it up and chose to read it. Thank you.
Sorry, Josephine Anne, I muddled up your name in my post above and couldn’t figure out how to edit it! My apologies. (Now feeling very sheepish).
I couldn’t agree more with you Josephine/Anne! This book kept me up extremely late one night, or should I say extremely early the next morning! I was captivated by Meena and her horrific story, and loved the way Penny sensitively but honestly handled this very tough subject. I was thrilled when she was awarded the Caleb award for this book in the YA section.
I couldn’t agree more with you Josephine/Anne! This book kept me up extremely late one night, or should I say extremely early the next morning! I was captivated by Meena and her horrific story, and loved the way Penny sensitively but honestly handled this very tough subject. I was thrilled when she was awarded the Caleb award for this book in the YA section.
Hi Jo’Anne, Thanks for sharing your insightful thoughts on Penny’s book. It’s on my TBR list. 😊