Because I am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas

Anke is jealous of the attention that her siblings receive from their physically and sexually abusive father. While she is relieved that her father barely notices her existence, she can’t help but long for some sort of attention from him. It is only after she joins the school volleyball team and begins to find her own voice that she builds the courage to stand up to her father.

Chalta’s simple verse is powerful. Anke’s first person narration is done with a strong voice, even when Anke herself is not. Though heart-wrenching and compelling, the story is not without minor flaws as there are a few plot elements that were dropped without resolution. This title will definitely appeal to fans of Sonya Sones and Ellen Hopkins.