This is the latest in a series of books by Steve Cole which let readers see the world through the eyes of young people the same age as them but living very different lives. Hanh’s family were conned into allowing her to travel to Hanoi, ostensibly for a job as a shop assistant. Instead, she’s forced to work in a sweatshop making clothes for Western fashion outlets. Little more than slaves, she and other young girls work long hours in horrible, dangerous conditions, locked in at night and beaten by guards if they complain. It’s a grim setting, but Cole’s story emphasises Hanh’s strength, character, and resilience as together the girls form a desperate plan to escape. It’s tense and exciting, and readers will identify with Hanh from the very beginning. The story leaves them in no doubt either as to the real cost of that cute pair of ripped jeans and makes us all aware of our part in the terrible treatment of children like Hanh.
Published by Barrington Stoke, this is accessible for all readers including those reluctant, struggling or dyslexic.
The horrific real-life cost of fast fashion is exposed in this gripping tale of survival from bestselling author Steve Cole.
When twelve-year-old Hanh is offered a job as a shop assistant in Hanoi, she sees it as a chance to earn money to send back to her family living in poverty in rural Vietnam. But on her arrival in the city, she soon learns that the job offer was a lie and finds herself working in virtual slavery in an illegal garment factory. Life in this sweatshop is a daily hell of long hours, little rest, poor food and regular violence. Hanh is desperate to escape, but when an opportunity arises will she be able to find the courage to take a dangerous chance?
Steve Cole was our Guest Editor in November 2011. Click here to find out more and see some of his favourite books.
He is a bestselling children's author and lifelong fan of Ian Fleming's James Bond. His other book series include Z. Rex, Thieves Like Us, Doctor Who and Astrosaurs, with collective sales of over three million copies. In other careers he has worked as an editor of books and magazines for readers of all ages. To see more author information click here.
You can see more Steve videos on his YouTube channel - click here.
