"A child is a child of everyone. -Sudanese Proverb

Book Review: Hayly Stems the Tide

Author Elizabeth Thompson 

"Elizabeth Thompson's way of writing has not let me down. With her book, Hayly Stems the Tide, she will capture the interest of parents and children around the world. Hayly Stems the Tide has a setting that corresponds to our time and gives children more reasons to drop their smartphone, tablets or computers and pick up Hayly Stems the Tide. 

Hayly was a little girl who lived with both her parents and brothers. She had an uncle who was loved and respected by his church community. One morning he told Hayly that she was too fresh when she interrupted a conversation he was having with her parents. She was ashamed and went to her room crying. She always goes to visit her aunt on weekends with her friend Cree. One day she found out that her uncle had a hidden past of raping a young girl, yet he was still respected and loved by her parents. She wondered to herself if her parents feared him.

One weekend when she went to visit her best friend Cree she found out that her uncle had touched her inappropriately and told her that she had a bad odour and that he raped her and told her that no one would believe her if she told. Based on the evidence seen and the words he used to her she knew it was true as he used those same words to her also. She immediately called her auntie, her friend's mother, and it was reported to the police and her uncle was arrested.

The message of this book is clear. Without love, respect, empathy, men can just take away children's innocence whether they are relatives, close friends or even strangers.

It teaches children to be brave in speaking out when they are being molested, or even if they have a “gut feeling” that someone is making subtle sexual advances towards them. Children and teens are encouraged through this book to speak up and talk to someone who they think will listen and act and not just sweep it under the carpet to protect the molester.

This book held my interest from the beginning to the end.  I would recommend that almost every parent get a copy for their child. This book, Hayly Stems the Tide must be on every family bookshelf. This is a book to have in every reading collection. Every reader, young or old, can enjoy reading and more importantly, learn from Hayly Stems the Tide."

Jasmin A. Beckford-Johnson M.Sc.

Educator & Family Counsellor

Jamaica