A Book Review of 'Forward Me Back To You'
It’s RuthAnn, back with a reading recommendation for you! Reading is a huge part of my Dressember advocacy, and I love to share books that inform on the issues, spur discussion, and cultivate empathy. Forward Me Back to You, by Mitali Perkins, is one of those books!
Forward Me Back to You is about Robin and Kat, two teenagers who confront the impact of human trafficking through a short-term service project in Kolkata, India. They both bring along emotional baggage: Robin was adopted from India into a white family in the US and is struggling with his identity, and Kat is healing from the trauma of assault. Their time in India challenges their assumptions about what it means to be rescued, and what it means to pursue justice.
I definitely recommend this book. It’s a young adult novel (written for grades 7-12), so it’s a great read for teens, keeping in mind that the content can be inherently difficult. Potential trigger warnings include sexual assault, human trafficking, abandonment. None of the descriptions are graphic, as is appropriate for the audience, but it’s certainly something to keep in mind or read in advance if you have a more sensitive teen in mind.
However, it’s not a book just for teens! I find that YA books are excellent entry points for adults to encounter the topic of human trafficking. If you have friends or colleagues who are interested in learning more, but maybe a devastating documentary isn’t the way to go, you could consider a YA book like Forward Me Back to You. Even though adults are not the target audience here, the story and the characters’ reflection will prompt conversation.
It would be really powerful experience for teens and adults to read and discuss this book together, whether in a classroom, at home, or in an extracurricular group. The story weaves interesting perspectives of two teenagers who are learning about human trafficking. In that way, I think it holds a lot of value for people researching the topic and encountering what can be truly horrific stories. The story also has a nuanced approach to the natural impulse to rush in and be a hero or to parachute down with a solution we assume will work, which I think applies to all of us.
If you read this book with others, here are discussion questions to help start your conversation:
When we encounter difficult facts about modern slavery or other injustice, how can we make sense of them? How do you find yourself reacting?
When you want to stand up for something you believe in, what unique skills or story do you bring to the table?
What does empowerment mean to you? What does it look like in real life?
Happy reading!
About the Author
RuthAnn Deveney has been a Dressember advocate since 2014 and loves cheering on her team! She lives in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, where she loves to stroll around town and volunteer at the local library.