The Throwaway Piece

$9.95

A dramatic novel for young adults about a teenage girl forced to live with foster families.

by Jo Ann Yolanda Hernández

ISBN: 978-1-55885-353-9
Publication Date: May 31, 2006
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 208
Imprint: Piñata Books
Ages:
11 and up

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Jewel is shuttled from one foster home to another. But Jewel wasn’t always a “State Kid.” Her mother Angela’s constant search for happiness through a steady stream of unsavory boyfriends leads to the state’s intervention in Jewel’s life.

Listening to her new foster mother’s list of “nos”—no drugs, no lying, no stealing, no skipping school, no boys in or out of the house, no being late—Jewel realizes that her mother said “yes” a lot. Probably too much.  She remembers saving Angela’s life when one of many boyfriends beat her, trying to hide another boyfriend’s attempts to rape her when she was fourteen, and being sent to a foster home to please the latest boyfriend. But still, Jewel worries about her mother and knows that she will once again pick up the pieces when the latest jerk leaves.

Bit by bit Jewel’s life begins to change for the better after her latest move to a new foster home and school. Although most people can’t see past her tough “State Kid” façade—spray-painted hair, heavy make-up, ripped clothing and unlaced shoes—her English teacher realizes there’s more to her then meets the eye. He convinces Jewel to tutor a fellow student who needs help with math, and gradually she learns how to make friends. In the process, she touches the lives of many people around her, including her social worker, teachers who believe in her, her new-found, tentative friends, and even their parents.

But when she’s forced to choose between her life-long job—taking care of her mother—and doing what’s right for herself, old habits and loyalties are hard to break. Jewel is sure that this time, she can save her mom. But will she be able to save herself?

Honorable Mention, 2009 The Eric Hoffer Book Award – Young Adult
Winner, 2007 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People

“This book will appeal to students interested in other cultures or multi-generational stories, such as The Joy Luck Club.”—VOYA

“…the pride and spirit of the Latino community…shines through all these stories.”—MultiCultural Review

“…the essence of the Chicano culture is effectively portrayed…the book will find an audience with young readers.”—School Library Journal

“…a fine story of family, love and tradition.”—Billie Letts, author of Where the Heart Is

JO ANN YOLANDA HERNÁNDEZ is the author of White Bread Competition (Piñata Books, 1997), which received recognition as the second place winner of the University of California Irvine’s Chicano / Latino Literary Prize in 1996. Her work has been published in various journals. She currently resides in Mesa, Arizona.

ATOS Interest Level: Upper Grades
Category: Young Adult
ATOS English: 4
Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 108531