About this book
“Riveting . . . A genuinely important book that casts the problem of sex trafficking in America into stunning, heartbreaking relief.” (Kirkus Reviews) A School Library Journal Best Adult Book for Teens A Joan F. Kaywell Award Finalist from the Florida Council of Teachers of English Carissa Phelps was a runner. By the time she was twelve, she had run away from home, dropped out of school, and fled blindly into the arms of a brutal pimp. Even when she escaped him, she could not outrun the crushing inner pain of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. With little to hope for, she expected to end up in prison, or worse. But then her life was transformed through the unexpected kindness of a teacher and a counselor. Through small miracles, Carissa accomplished the unimaginable, graduating from UCLA with both a law degree and an MBA. She left the streets behind, yet found herself back, this time working to help homeless and at-risk youth discover their own paths to a better life. Like the multimillion-copy bestseller The Glass Castle, this memoir moves us through the power of its unflinching candor and generosity.
Censorship history
In 2024, "Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Streets" by Carissa Phelps faced bans at the school level across various districts in the United States due to its content involving sexual themes, violence, and drug use. The book was challenged by parents and community members, leading to formal complaints and subsequent votes by school boards to restrict its availability in libraries and classrooms. These actions reflect a growing trend of censorship in educational settings, particularly concerning materials that address sensitive social issues. The bans have sparked debates among educators and advocates for youth literature, with some districts still contesting the decisions.
Bans
| Country | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2024 | SexualViolenceDrugsMoral |
