What readers think of Take My Hand, plus links to write your own review.

I enjoyed learning about a chapter of American history not often explored in novel form. Some characters were well developed, especially the sisters at the center of the legal controversy and their grandmother. But I was left wanting to read deeper into the lives of Civil's parents, the relationship between Ty and Civil and Civil's therapy experience to resolve her issues with childbearing and motherhood. Things were just a little too spelled out at times or glossed over. But overall, this story and this book could easily be placed on a high school reading list to teach about the forced sterilization that happened to poor black children in the south and still happening in other places of our society today.

Take My Hand, touches on issues that I knew little about. I enjoyed reading this book although at times it was heart wrenching; especially when dealing with minor girls. Certain government agencies took advantage of underprivileged people; largely poor black families and minor children.

This book would be an excellent choice for book clubs, as it provides topics that would stimulate a lively discussion. It did remind me of the book, The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks.

There is no doubt that the story of this landmark court case is both important and timely. Forced sterilizations are, sadly, still happening and women still struggle with having choices regarding our bodies legislated by men. But I found the storytelling in Take My Hand to be lacking. I understand that the author was trying to capture the voices of characters in various decades and stages of their lives, but it read too simplistically to fully capture my interest, and I struggled to get all the way through. I was anticipating a compelling Adult Fiction selection, but this read more like a YA, and I was disappointed.