Dirty Work by Julia Bell

() This story explores the horrendous underground practice of sex trafficking. It brings together two girls from completely different worlds as they find themselves stuck and enslaved to the brutal men running the show.

Hope is a girl from a very wealthy, prominent family. Oksana is from a very poor section of Russia, and her mother is dead. Oksana is tricked into and then trapped in the prostitution trade. During 'business' travels, Hope tries to help Oksana escape, but only manages to get herself kidnapped by the trade men too.

The author avoids getting too much into the details of the horrible activities that go on in trafficking, but she does spread awareness and shed truth about its horrific nature. The narrative itself is a little unrealistic because Hope is eventually able to get back to her family with nothing more than mental trauma and some scratches, but I suppose that's typical of a young adult book.

Fresh Girl by Jaïra Placide

() This is the world as seen through the eyes of a 14-year-old female, Haitian refugee. She pours herself into her class work and deals with the typical issues of bullying and popularity at school. The catch is that she has far more threatening, secret experiences in her past that she is dealing with. Since then, her only ways of coping have been to quietly damage herself and shut her mouth. Only the surprise appearance of her trustworthy uncle brings anything out, and only then does she start to realize her independence and own will!
Reading stories told from less-common immigrant perspectives are always a joy. This book does that and more by revealing some of the horrors refugees have to live with in their pasts. It's witty, insightful, and personal. Definitely a very enriching, thought-provoking read!
Won the Golden Kite Award