Mia Tagano

This page turner is a call to action - we all can be heroes or monsters- it is a choice. Be a hero.

I used to love to read but truth is, I haven't read a book from the beginning to the end in years. This book though...wow. I read the forward and preface aloud and then settled in for the ride in quiet. I couldn't put this book down and while reading my heart was racing, calm one minute and thumping hard the next. I was on edge alot of the book; infuriated, horrified and ultimately, through tears full with love relief admiration deep sadness combined with deep gratitude and awe...
I found myself rooting for Michelle and her siblings, praying for them, wishing I could help somehow. Thanking God Michelle lived to tell her story. Wondering too how many children are going through similar somethings and being disregarded. Remembering my own upbringing fraught with fear and shame, knowing that more light and love is possible. Michelle proves this and her book though full with monsters is also laden with heroes, with the love and presence of guardian angels who didn't fly away, who weren't just a dream. And, the tenacity of spirit in this girl now woman - wow. Michelle shows us by leading with her light and determination to move beyond the loss of innocence through beatings abuse and neglect.

Michelle leads with such a light and force; even when losing a fight or too small to fight back, she refuses to give up. She moves beyond small thinking and actions, beyond wound and pains to a liberation of sorts, to love acceptance and forgiveness of and for self and others; beyond survival towards living full. And, we live/move vicariously through her. You can't read this and not be shifted somehow for the better; awake and sensitive to your surroundings and others. Thank you Michelle and Michelle for writing this book.