Push is the novel that the independent film sensation, "Precious," is based on. Push tells the story of teenager Clareece "Precious" Jones, who is pregnant with her second child by her father. Precious' mom, rather than defending and protecting her young daughter, blames her for "stealing" her man. Because Precious is unable to fend off her father, and because her body physically responds to the abuse even while her mind rebels, she is completely torn. This book was so painful to read; Precious is illiterate, sexually abused by both parents, and friendless. Her mother sees her as nothing more than a homewrecker and paycheck (she receives welfare for both her and her first child, who actually lives with Precious' grandmother). However, after Precious births her second child, a little boy whom she loves dearly, a sympathetic guidance counselor tells her about an alternative school. Through this school, and due to the teachings of an inspirational teacher named Blue Rain, Precious becomes independent and moves out of the reach of her parents. The novel ends on a happy note, but I wasn't happy when I finished reading it. It raised so many questions in my mind: why were the social workers less in tune to what was going on in that house? Why was it so easy for Precious' mom to cheat the welfare system? Why, when Precious named her father as the father of her children at the hospital, was the matter not looked into further? Precious was let down by everyone who should have looked out for her as a child-- and I can't help but worry that there are many children out there like her.
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