by Liz Murray
Hyperion, 2010. 334 pgs.
Adult Fiction with YA Interest
Hardcover: $24.99
Annotation: When finding food and a place to sleep are top priorities, suddenly school doesn't seem so important.
Summary: Liz Murray had an unorthodox childhood. Her parents were drug addicts who could barely survive till next month's government check, so feeding their two children was an afterthought at best. With her dad in and out of jail and her mother in and out of the psych ward, Liz struggled just to find enough food to survive each day. Her hair was lice-ridden and the stench of her unwashed body and squalid clothing caused the other school children to ridicule her. Needless to say, it didn't make for a pleasant learning experience and so with no one who cared, Liz decided to skip most days, only showing up to take the end of year tests. She managed to pass on to the next grade each year due to her excellent reading skills honed from years of devouring her dad's collection of true crime novels--which he would check out at the library under numerous aliases and never return. Abused by her mother's friends and neglected by her parents, at one point Liz is even carted off to a state run girl's school where she suffered the mean-spirited bullying by some of the other girls. Returning home, Liz finds that nothing has changed. Finally, forced out of her house at fifteen, Liz became homeless, riding the trains all night, sleeping in friends' apartments or random stairwells. Scavaging food and sleeping arrangments was always a challenge, but Liz found a family in other troubled youth and with the help of her friends she managed to survive.
After AIDS claimes her mother, Liz remembers her mother's dream for her to finish high school and so she goes searching. She hears of an alternative high school that just might accept her and after being admitted, resolves to finish all 8 semesters in just 2 years. Still homeless, she lugs her books and other scant belongings along with her and with the help of her makeshift family of friends she studies like a demon, earning top grades and a leadership position in her school. During a special school trip to Boston, she discovers the magic of Harvard and with encouragement from her teacher, decides to take a long shot at a school most students wouldn't dream of, let alone a homeless girl. But even if she's accepted, Liz would never be able to afford college; however, with nudging from her guidance counselor she applies for a hefty New York Times scholarship. The scholarship is based on the answer to one simple question, "What challenges have you had to overcome in life?" and with that Liz begins writing her life story, because every day was a challenge and every night was a misery.
Evaluation: Liz Murray's story is heartwrenching, but she tells it with a compelling voice. Her prose is clear, readable and ultimately uplifting. With a childhood that cannot really be described as such, because Liz did not have the good fortune to actually be a child, she uses her experiences to propel her forward, rather than as a means to justify failure. Although many individuals would be reticent to reveal such personal indelicacies, Liz instead shares her memoir with candor and her words and accomplishments prove immensely inspiring. I had a hard time putting the book down and am grateful for Liz's courage and her resilient spirit. I found the following passage especially thought provoking. Liz writes, "I was always seeing myself through the eyes of adults, my parents, caseworkers, psychiatrists, and teachers. If I saw a failure in their eyes, then I was one. And if I saw someone capable, then I was capable." A beautifully expressed sentiment with a cautionary tale for all adults who work with youth. But what was written for adults will resonate with teens, especially those coming from troubled backgrounds themselves. Without doubt, Breaking Night is a triumph of will and a true light to the world.
Significance: Liz's story demonstrates that with hard work and intense determination, anyone can overcome the challenges their circumstances would appear to dictate. She excelled with help from some dear friends and excellent teachers. She proved that the responsibility for her future rested with her and not with her past. Liz demonstrates yet again that education has real power to change lives. But, perhaps an even greater achievement than Liz's eventual graduation from Harvard was her ability to honestly forgive both of her parents for their addiction and neglect and that is what makes the book an inspiring read for everyone.
Personal Choice: Although a bit long, the title was an immediate draw and I couldn't wait to find out more about Liz's personal triumph.
Awards: Alex Award, 2011
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