Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com
Anke lives in a house full of fear. Fear of her father. His temper can flair at any moment and everyone around him suffers. Anke's brother and sister take the physical abuse and Anke is, for the most part, ignored in the house. She feels she has no choice but to sit back and witness what is going on around her. Sometimes she even feels jealous of the attention her brother and sister get, no matter how horrible that attention is.
Anke has one bright spot in her day - volleyball. Against her father's wishes, she tries out and makes the team. Volleyball gives Anke confidence and a small circle of friends.
At the beginning of the school year, Anke develops a crush on Kyler, a tall, blonde soccer player. She tries to be where he is during the school day and hopes to attract his attention. She also has a confusing relationship with Jed, a boy who lives across the street.
Between her family's dynamics, volleyball, school, and boys, Anke has a lot on her mind. Will she ever get the courage to say something about the abuse at home?
BECAUSE I AM FURNITURE is written in verse. It doesn't take long to read and although the subject matter is very serious, the point of view is coming from an onlooking Anke so it isn't graphic. It's a good read, but the ending wraps up a little too quickly and there is a loose end that will leave you wondering about one of her relationships.
Anke lives in a house full of fear. Fear of her father. His temper can flair at any moment and everyone around him suffers. Anke's brother and sister take the physical abuse and Anke is, for the most part, ignored in the house. She feels she has no choice but to sit back and witness what is going on around her. Sometimes she even feels jealous of the attention her brother and sister get, no matter how horrible that attention is.
Anke has one bright spot in her day - volleyball. Against her father's wishes, she tries out and makes the team. Volleyball gives Anke confidence and a small circle of friends.
At the beginning of the school year, Anke develops a crush on Kyler, a tall, blonde soccer player. She tries to be where he is during the school day and hopes to attract his attention. She also has a confusing relationship with Jed, a boy who lives across the street.
Between her family's dynamics, volleyball, school, and boys, Anke has a lot on her mind. Will she ever get the courage to say something about the abuse at home?
BECAUSE I AM FURNITURE is written in verse. It doesn't take long to read and although the subject matter is very serious, the point of view is coming from an onlooking Anke so it isn't graphic. It's a good read, but the ending wraps up a little too quickly and there is a loose end that will leave you wondering about one of her relationships.
This book is written in poems not in chapters like a normal story. Still I was drawn in and wanted to know more, because I'm furniture is a great book but the ending is rushed and I was left feeling like the story was not finished worth the time to read but not one for my keeper shelf
I liked this book. It was a very fast read, but to the point. It is written in poem-like form, and so it flows easily. It is different from other books of teenage abuse, because instead of the main character being the victim, others around her are the victims.
